Efficacy and Patient Tolerability Profiles of Probiotic Solution with Bisacodyl Versus Conventional Cleansing Solution for Bowel Preparation: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Although adequate bowel preparation is essential in screening colonoscopy, patient intolerability to bowel cleansing agents is problematic. Recently, a probiotic mixture solution with bisacodyl emerged to improve patient tolerability. We investigated the efficacy, safety, and patient tolerability profiles of probiotics with bisacodyl versus conventional polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution for bowel preparation for screening colonoscopies in healthy patients in this prospective, randomized, case-control study.

Genomic Insights into the Rice Blast Fungus through Estimation of Gene Emergence Time in Phylogenetic Context.

The rice blast fungus, , is an important pathogen of rice plants. It is well known that genes encoded in the genome have different evolutionary histories that are related to their functions. Phylostratigraphy is a method that correlates the evolutionary origin of genes with evolutionary transitions.

[Spontaneously Resolving of Huge Simple Hepatic Cyst].

Simple hepatic cysts are common benign liver lesions that usually have no malignant capability. They are generally asymptomatic and are often found incidentally by abdominal imaging procedures. Treatment becomes necessary, however, when huge hepatic cysts cause symptoms and develop complications, such as hemorrhage, adjacent organ damage, and infection.

Effect of Rifaximin on Hepatic Fibrosis in Bile Duct-ligated Rat Model.

Background/aims: The translocation of bacteria and their lipopolysaccharides from the gut can promote fibrosis in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rifaximin on hepatic fibrosis in a bile duct-ligated rat model.

Methods: The bile duct ligation (BDL) was carried out for eight days (acute injury model: sham-operated rats [G1], BDL rats [G2], and BDL rats treated with rifaximin [G3]) or 22 days (chronic injury model: sham-operated rats [G4], BDL rats [G5], and BDL rats treated with rifaximin [G6]).

The factors associated with longitudinal changes in liver stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background/aims: Liver stiffness (LS) as assessed by transient elastography (TE) can change longitudinally in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The aim of this study was to identify the factors that improve LS.

Methods: Between April 2007 and December 2012, 151 patients with CHB who underwent two TE procedures with an interval of about 2 years were enrolled.

[Prevalence, risk factors and clinical characteristics in patients with genotype 6 chronic hepatitis C: a single institute experience].

Background/aims: Hepatitis C genotypes 1 and 2 are widely distributed globally. In contrast, genotype 6 is found mainly in Southeast Asia, while genotype 6 is rare in Korea. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and clinical characteristics of patients with genotype 6 chronic hepatitis C.

Endoscopic stenting for recurrence-related colorectal anastomotic site obstruction: preliminary experience.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of stents in treating patients with anastomotic site obstructions due to cancer recurrence following colorectal surgery.

Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent endoscopic self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) insertion for colorectal obstructions between February 2004 and January 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. During the study period, a total of 218 patients underwent endoscopic stenting for colorectal obstructions.

Endoscopic features suggesting gastric cancer in biopsy-proven gastric adenoma with high-grade neoplasia.

Aim: To elucidate the endoscopic features that predict the cancer following endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with high-grade neoplasia (HGN).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent ESD of gastric neoplasms from January 2007 to September 2010. ESD was performed in 555 cases involving 550 patients.

Surgical failure after colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery.

Aim: To identify risk factors for surgical failure after colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery in left-sided malignant colonic obstruction.

Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent stent insertion for malignant colonic obstruction between February 2004 and August 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with malignant colonic obstruction had overt clinical symptoms and signs of obstruction.

Survey of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission after Korean National Prevention Program in a tertiary hospital.

Background/aims: The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in South Korea have been organizing hepatitis B virus (HBV) vertical infection prevention projects since July 2002. In this single-institute study, the results of surveys conducted in target mothers who delivered babies in a tertiary hospital were investigated and analyzed.

Methods: Of the 9,281 mothers and their 9,824 neonates born between July 2002 and December 2012, 308 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers and their 319 neonates were selected for this study, and their records were analyzed retrospectively.

[Occult hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma].

Many studies have suggested that occult HBV infection has a substantial clinical relevance to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Occult HBV infection is an important risk factor for the development of cirrhosis and HCC in patients without HBsAg. As a matter of fact, occult HBV infection is one of the most common causes of crytogenic HCC in endemic areas of HBV.

A feasible modified biopsy method for tissue diagnosis of gastric subepithelial tumors.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of a modified technique for the histological diagnosis of subepithelial tumors (SETs).

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent a modified technique for the histological diagnosis of gastric SETs, consisting of a mucosal incision with a fixed flexible snare (MIF) and deep-tissue biopsy under conventional endoscopic view, from January 2012 to January 2013 was performed. Eleven patients with gastric SETs 10-30 mm in diameter and originating from the third or fourth layer on endoscopic ultrasonography were included.

Huge liposarcoma of esophagus resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection: case report with video.

Liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas occurring in adults, but it rarely occurs in the gastrointestinal tract and more uncommonly in the esophagus. To the best of our knowledge, there are only 19 reported cases of esophageal liposarcoma in the literature published in English language up to the year 2008, and they were all treated by surgical methods. Here, we report a case of primary liposarcoma of the esophagus which was treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

[Efficacy of entecavir switching therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients with clevudine-induced myopathy].

Background/aims: Clevudine is a potent antiviral agent against HBV. However, long-term clevudine therapy may cause myopathy. This study was carried out to identify the efficacy of entecavir switching therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients experiencing clevudine-induced myopathy.

Ten-day sequential versus triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a prospective, open-label, randomized trial.

Background And Aim: Increased resistance of Helicobacter pylori to antibiotics has increased the need to develop new first-line treatments for H. pylori. We have prospectively evaluated 10-day sequential versus conventional triple therapy in peptic ulcer patients.

Molecular mechanisms elucidating why old stomach is more vulnerable to indomethacin-induced damage than young stomach.

Background/aims: Detailed underlying changes have never been explored to explain how old stomach is more susceptible to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)-induced gastric damage than young stomach, although presumptively speculated as weakened mucosal defense system as well as attenuated regenerating capacity in old stomach.

Methods: In order to investigate molecular mechanisms relevant to NSAID-induced gastric damage, we administered indomethacin to 6-week-old and 60-week-old rats.

Results: In spite of the same oral administration of indomethacin (0.

Short-term Clinical Outcomes Based on Risk Factors of Recurrence after Removing Common Bile Duct Stones with Endoscopic Papillary Large Balloon Dilatation.

Background/aims: Recurrence is an important late complication of endotherapy of bile duct stones. Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) can be used as an alternative method of removing difficult bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to evaluate short term clinical outcomes after removing common bile duct (CBD) stones using EPLBD.

The efficacy of self-expanding metal stents for colorectal obstruction with unresectable stage IVB colorectal cancer.

Background/aims: Acute colorectal obstruction with stage IVB colorectal cancer has a poor prognosis and short life expectancy. The effectiveness of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) has been demonstrated in colorectal cancer patients with obstruction. However, little is known about the palliative efficacy of stent placement inpatients with unresectable colorectal cancer.

Genetic polymorphism at codon 10 of the transforming growth factor-β1 gene in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) is a key cytokine in the production of extracellular matrix. A genetic polymorphism at codon 10 of the TGF-β1 gene is associated with liver fibrosis. We investigated the effect of genetic polymorphisms at codon 10 on the development of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC).