Albumin-Bilirubin Grade as a Valuable Predictor of Recurrence and Prognosis in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Radiofrequency Ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an important local treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of tumor recurrence after RFA and analyze predictors of tumor recurrence and survival in patients with HCC. We retrospectively reviewed data from treatment-naïve patients with HCC who underwent RFA for HCC treatment between 2008 and 2017 at four tertiary hospitals in South Korea.

Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index outperforms Fibrosis-4 in 2843 Korean patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Aim: The definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has recently been proposed. We aim to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive fibrosis markers in predicting liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and MASLD.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 2843 patients diagnosed with steatotic liver disease at six tertiary hospitals in South Korea.

Proposal of a Novel Serological Algorithm Combining FIB-4 and Serum M2BPGi for Advanced Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background/aims: Noninvasive methods have become increasingly critical in the diagnosis of fibrosis in chronic liver diseases. Herein, we compared the diagnostic performance of serum Mac2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) and other serological panels for fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and proposed an improved two-step diagnostic algorithm for advanced fibrosis.

Methods: We enrolled 231 patients diagnosed with NAFLD who underwent a liver biopsy.

[The Effect of Anticoagulant in Patients with Cirrhosis Associated with Acute Portal Vein Thrombosis].

The treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) has been controversial, and it is generally case- and institution-dependent. The occurrence of acute or extensive PVT is critical and requires urgent treatment because it is usually accompanied by symptoms, particularly when total occlusion occurs, causing acute decompensation of liver disease. Even in severe cases, drug selection and treatment duration are determined based on each institution's experience.

[Efficacy and Safety of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Prospect of Microbe-based Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease].

The use of 5-ASA, immunomodulators, biologics, and small molecule drugs are the main treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is also drawing attention as a treatment to improve intestinal dysbiosis by transplantaing normal human stool into patients with IBD. FMT demonstrates relatively good effects in inducing clinical remission in IBD, but unlike infection, multiple FMT can enhance the clinical effect. There are no reports of the long-term effectiveness and safety of FMT conducted in IBD yet, therefore, well-designed, prospective studies will be needed.

Assessment of Liver Fibrosis Stage Using Integrative Analysis of Hepatic Heterogeneity and Nodularity in Routine MRI with FIB-4 Index as Reference Standard.

Image-based quantitative methods for liver heterogeneity (L) and nodularity (L) provide helpful information for evaluating liver fibrosis; however, their combinations are not fully understood in liver diseases. We developed an integrated software for assessing L and L and compared L and L according to fibrosis stages in chronic liver disease (CLD). Overall, 111 CLD patients and 16 subjects with suspected liver disease who underwent liver biopsy were enrolled.

Maximal diameter of liver abscess independently predicts prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

Background/aims: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with prolonged hospital stay and in-hospital mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients with pyogenic liver abscess who were admitted between 2005 and 2018 at three tertiary hospitals in Jeonbuk province, South Korea. Prolonged hospital stay was defined as a duration of hospital admission of more than 21 days.

Clinical outcomes of positive resection margin after endoscopic mucosal resection of early colon cancers.

Background/aims: When determining the subsequent management after endoscopic resection of the early colon cancer (ECC), various factors including the margin status should be considered. This study assessed the subsequent management and outcomes of ECCs according to margin status.

Methods: We examined the data of 223 ECCs treated by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) from 215 patients during 2004 to 2014, and all patients were followed-up at least for 2 years.

Could Transgastric Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Aspiration Alone Be Effective for the Treatment of Pancreatic Abscesses?

Drainage of pancreatic abscesses is required for effective control of sepsis. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided endoscopic drainage is less invasive than surgery and prevents local complications related to percutaneous drainage. Endoscopic drainage with stent placement in the uncinate process of the pancreas is a technically difficult procedure.

The prognosis of patients with lung cancer admitted to the medical intensive care unit.

Aims: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Despite their poor prognosis, patients with lung cancer are increasingly being admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) for treatment of critical illnesses. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients with lung cancer who are admitted to an MICU and to identify the measurable predictors of their MICU outcome.