Innovative method of alopecia treatment by autologous adipose-derived SVF.

Background: Alopecia refers to a condition developed by gradual reduction of hair loss by various abnormal causes such as endocrine system, genetic factors, and stress. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) isolated from the fat is one of the latest innovative solutions in the field of regeneration therapy. We focused on presenting effectiveness of clinical cases to improve AGA through transplantation of autologous SVF into the scalp.

Endoscopic enucleation for gastric subepithelial tumors originating in the muscularis propria layer.

Background: Subepithelial tumors (SETs) of the stomach are considered benign. However, they have the potential for malignant transformation, especially if they originate in the muscularis propria layer. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of endoscopic enucleation (EEN) for SETs in the muscularis propria layer and to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and safety of EEN for SETs.

Successful outcomes of endoscopic resection for gastric adenomas and early cancers located on the pyloric ring (with video).

Background: Endoscopic resection is difficult to perform in patients who have gastric neoplasms located on the pyloric ring, especially for lesions that extend from the pyloric area to the duodenal bulb, where it is difficult to retroflex the endoscope, and the risk of perforation is increased.

Objective: To assess the results of endoscopic resection of early gastric neoplasms located on the pyloric ring.

Design: Case series.

Clinical usefulness of sequential hepatitis B virus DNA measurement (the roadmap concept) during adefovir treatment in lamivudine-resistant patients.

Background: Sequential on-treatment monitoring of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels, known as the roadmap concept, might predict the efficacy of oral therapy with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues among patients naive to this treatment. The goal of this study was to verify the usefulness of the roadmap concept to predict clinical outcomes of adefovir dipivoxil monotherapy in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients with lamivudine resistance.

Methods: In 231 patients, serum HBeAg, antibody against HBeAg and HBV DNA levels were measured at weeks 12, 24 and 48 of treatment and every 3 months thereafter.

Is pancreatic core biopsy sufficient to diagnose autoimmune chronic pancreatitis?

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the adequacy of pancreatic core biopsy in histological diagnosis of autoimmune chronic pancreatitis (AIP).

Methods: Histopathologic study as well as immunohistochemical staining using anti-IgG4 antibody was done with pancreatic tissue specimens of 26 AIP patients (19 transabdominal ultrasound (US)-guided core biopsies, 3 intraoperative wedge biopsies, and 4 surgical resections). Eight patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis and 10 patients with pancreatic cancer served as controls.

[Hemobilia from pancreatic arteriovenous malformation: successful treatment with transportal coil embolization of draining veins].

Pancreatic arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are extremely rare diseases frequently complicated by gastrointestinal hemorrhage. While surgical resection of affected lesion is preferred for the treatment of pancreatic AVM, angiographic intervention can be used as an alternative treatment, especially in surgically high-risk patients. We experienced a patient with pancreatic AVM manifested by hemobilia and biliary sepsis.

Reactive oxygen species-dependent EndoG release mediates cisplatin-induced caspase-independent apoptosis in human head and neck squamous carcinoma cells.

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent that is widely used to treat cancers such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Previously, we have reported that cisplatin induced an early caspase-dependent apoptosis (8 hr) in a HNSCC cell, HN4. In this study, we examined a late caspase-independent apoptosis as well as an early caspase-dependent apoptosis in cisplatin-treated HN4 cells.

Allelic alterations in well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (carcinoid tumors) identified by genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism analysis and comparison with pancreatic endocrine tumors.

Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (WDNT, carcinoid tumors) are uncommon indolent neoplasms. The genetic alterations of these tumors are not well characterized. We used genome-wide high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis to detect copy number alterations in 29 WDNTs, including seven lung, seven nonileal gastrointestinal, and 15 ileal tumors, and compared with allelic imbalances in 15 pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs).

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the duodenum masquerading as a pancreatic head tumor.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) represents the most common kind of mesenchymal tumor that arises from the alimentary tract. GIST is currently defined as a gastrointestinal tract mesenchymal tumor showing CD117 (c-kit protein) positivity at immunohistochemistry. Throughout the whole length of the gastrointestinal tract, GIST arises most commonly from the stomach followed by the small intestine, the colorectum, and the esophagus.

Allelic alterations in pancreatic endocrine tumors identified by genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism analysis.

Pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) are uncommon and the genetic alterations in these indolent tumors are not well characterized. Chromosomal imbalances are frequent in tumors but PETs have not been studied by high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. We used genome-wide high-density SNP array analysis to detect copy number alterations using matched tumor and non-neoplastic tissue samples from 15 patients with PETs.

[Clinical outcomes of lamivudine therapy in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B with minimally elevated ALT].

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of lamivudine therapy between chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, whose ALT levels less than 2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and patients whose ALT levels are more than 2 times ULN.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 508 consecutive patients with HBeAg-positive CHB who were treated with lamivudine for 1 year or more. Forty-six patients (Group A) with pretreatment ALT levels less than 2 times ULN were retrospectively compared with 462 patients (Group B) whose ALT levels are more than 2 times ULN.

Hypomethylation of LINE-1 and Alu in well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (pancreatic endocrine tumors and carcinoid tumors).

Neuroendocrine tumors including carcinoid tumors and pancreatic endocrine tumors are uncommon, and the genetic alterations in these indolent tumors are not well characterized. We studied global hypomethylation by analyzing long interspersed nucleotide elements (LINE)-1 and Alu methylation using pyrosequencing in 35 neuroendocrine tumors and corresponding normal tissue. The tumor samples were less methylated than normal tissue at LINE-1 (P=0.

Clinical significance of hepatitis B e antigen level measurement during long-term lamivudine therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients with e antigen positive.

Aim: To determine the changes of quantitative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) that predicts early detection of non-response or breakthrough to long-term lamivudine (LAM) therapy.

Methods: Among HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients who failed to achieve HBeAg seroconversion within 12 mo, we retrospectively analyzed 220 patients who had received LAM more than 24 mo.

Results: The mean duration of LAM therapy was 36 (range, 24-72) mo.

Metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma to the small bowel manifested by intussusception.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly invasive tumor that metastasizes hematogenously and lymphogenously to distant site. Frequent sites are lung, regional lymph node, bone, and adrenal gland. But metastasis to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is rare, and most common site is stomach.

A phase II study of docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with gastric cancer recurring after or progressing during 5-FU/platinum treatment.

Background: Docetaxel plus cisplatin (DP) is a combination chemotherapy regimen that is active against untreated advanced gastric cancer. We evaluated the feasibility of DP treatment in patients with recurring or metastatic gastric cancer who had been previously treated with other chemotherapy regimens.

Patients And Methods: The DP regimen consisted of docetaxel (75 mg/m(2) i.

[A randomized, comparative study of rabeprazole vs. ranitidine maintenance therapies for reflux esophagitis--multicenter study].

Background/aims: Reflux esophagitis is a recurring condition for which many patients require maintenance therapy. This comparative, randomized multicenter study was designed to evaluate the effect of long-term maintenance treatment comparing proton pump inhibitor, rabeprazole and H2 receptor antagonist, ranitidine.

Methods: Eighty four patients with healed reflux esophagitis confirmed by endoscopy were randomly allocated to receive maintenance treatment with either rabeprazole 10 mg once daily or ranitidine 300 mg once daily for 32 weeks.

Santorinicele containing a pancreatic duct stone in a patient with incomplete pancreas divisum.

Santorinicele, a focal cystic dilatation of the distal duct of Santorini, has been suggested as a possible cause of the relative stenosis of the accessory papilla, is associated with complete pancreas divisum, which results in acute episodes of pancreatitis or pain. This report describes a case of a santorinicele, which was initially detected by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as a polypoid mass, in a patient with recurrent abdominal pain. The mass was subsequently proved to be a santorinicele containing a pancreatic duct stone associated with incomplete pancreas divisum on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography.

Duodenal duplicated cyst manifested by acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice in an elderly man.

A duodenal duplication cyst is an uncommon congenital anomaly that is usually encountered during infancy or in early childhood. Duodenal duplication cysts generally appear on the first or second portion of the duodenum and may cause duodenal obstruction, hemorrhage or pancreatitis. Here, we report a case of a duodenal duplication cyst on the second and third portion of the duodenum in an old aged man with obstructive jaundice and acute pancreatitis, which was treated successfully by a surgical excision.

Combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and heptaplatin as first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Heptaplatin is a recently developed platinum derivative. This agent has been reported to have a response rate of 17% as a single agent, and tolerable toxicity in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and heptaplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

[Predictive factors and clinical outcome of viral breakthrough during lamivudine treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection].

Background/aims: Long-term treatment with lamivudine causes breakthrough, but the clinical course after lamivudine breakthrough is not well known. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical course in lamivudine after breakthrough, and to identify predictive factors of breakthrough.

Methods: 124 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection, who represented viral breakthrough during lamivudine therapy, were included.

The role of bile carcinoembryonic antigen in diagnosing bile duct cancer.

It is known that the fluids bathing tumors might contain a higher level of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) than those found in the blood. Therefore, we evaluated the role of bile CEA in diagnosing bile duct cancer. One hundred and thirty two patients were prospectively studied.

[Predictive factors and efficacy of lamivudine treatment in chronic hepatitis B infection].

Background/aims: Lamivudine, an oral nucleoside analogue, effectively suppresses hepatitis B virus (HBV) replications and improves liver enzymes as well as liver histology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lamivudine and the patient-dependent or laboratory variables that predict HBeAg seroconversion.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 519 consecutive patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B who were treated with lamivudine.

[Diagnostic usefulness of intradermal test for clonorchiasis in patients with pancreatobiliary diseases].

Background/aims: The diagnosis of clonorchiasis is based on demonstrating eggs in stool or bile. It is believed that bile examination is the most precise method for detecting eggs. We evaluated diagnostic usefulness of intradermal test (IDT) by comparing it with the result of bile examination.

[Efficacy of lamivudine re-treatment and relapse patterns after initial lamivudine treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection].

Background/aims: The post-treatment relapse patterns and efficacy of lamivudine re-treatment for relapsed patients have not been clarified. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relapse patterns after discontinuing therapy and the effects of lamivudine re-treatment for relapsed patients after HBeAg seroconversion.

Methods: Therapy was discontinued after HBeAg seroconversion in 121 patients.

[Efficacy of lamivudine in patients with hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic liver diseases].

Background/aims: Lamivudine therapy is effective in inhibiting HBV replications in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic liver disease. However, the sustained response rate appears to be particularly poor, because the vast majority of patients relapse soon after cessation of therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lamivudine, the breakthrough rate, and the relapse rate of discontinuing therapy after response in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic liver disease.