Efficacy and Safety of a New Technique Combining Injection Sclerotherapy and External Hemorrhoidectomy for Prolapsed Hemorrhoids: A Single-center Observational Study.

Objectives: To date, there have been no reports on the long-term effects of a method that combines external hemorrhoidectomy with aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) sclerotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of external hemorrhoidectomy combined with ALTA sclerotherapy (EA) in reducing postoperative complications associated with conventional hemorrhoidectomy.

Methods: EA was performed under sacral epidural anesthesia, and ALTA sclerotherapy was applied to the remaining internal hemorrhoids after resection of the external hemorrhoids.

Prevalence of Double Incontinence and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Fecal Incontinence: A Single-center Observational Study.

Objectives: Double incontinence (DI), which is the co-occurrence of fecal incontinence (FI) and urinary incontinence (UI), increases with age and has a greater negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) than either incontinence alone. We aimed to assess lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with FI to elucidate the prevalence and characteristics of DI.

Methods: This study enrolled consecutive patients who visited our hospital with FI symptoms.

Long-term Efficacy and Safety of Controlled Manual Anal Dilatation in the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissures: A Single-center Observational Study.

Objectives: Conventional anal dilatation for anal fissures has long been abandoned because of the high incidence of anal incontinence. However, less invasive and more precise dilation techniques have been developed that have shown high healing and low incontinence rates. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of controlled anal dilatation (CAD) using a standardized maximum anal diameter.

Are There Sex Differences in Defecation Patterns in Patients with Defecation Disorders? - A Single-center Observational Study.

Objectives: Defecation disorders (DD) are characterized by impaired rectal evacuation due to inadequate defecatory propulsion and/or dyssynergic defecation. DD are assessed by rectal and anal pressures during attempted defecation using anorectal manometry (ARM). Thus far, at least four types of dyssynergic patterns have been recognized on ARM.

Effects of Age and Sex on the Anorectal Sensory Threshold to Electrical Stimulation: A Single-center Observational Study.

Objectives: Anorectal sensation is an essential component for maintaining normal defecation and continence. This study aimed to investigate changes in anorectal sensation with age and sex using the anorectal sensory threshold to electrical stimulation in a large population with a broad age spectrum.

Methods: This study enrolled consecutive adult patients (20-89 years old) who underwent anorectal physiology tests to screen for functional or organic anorectal disease.

Simple Anal Reinforcement with Anal Encirclement Using an Artificial Ligament in Patients with fecal Incontinence: A Single-center Observational Study.

Objectives: Surgical repair of anal sphincter defects in patients with fecal incontinence (FI) has been associated with excellent or good short-term results; however, its benefits have been shown to deteriorate over long-term follow-up. When sphincteroplasty fails or is not feasible, the subsequent surgical options are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of anal encirclement using the Leeds-Keio ligament in patients with FI.

Long-term Outcomes of Aluminum Potassium Sulfate and Tannic Acid Sclerotherapy for Prolapsed Hemorrhoids: A Single-Center, Observational Study.

Background: Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids produced almost the same effects as excisional hemorrhoidectomy. However, its long-term effectiveness remains unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term results of sclerotherapy using aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid for treating prolapsed hemorrhoids.

Efficacy and safety of anal encirclement combining the Leeds-Keio artificial ligament with injection sclerotherapy using aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid in the management of rectal prolapse: a single-center observational study.

Purpose: Perineal procedures are an important surgical option for frail and high-risk patients with rectal prolapse. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined therapy using injection sclerotherapy, with aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA), and the Thiersch procedure, using the Leeds-Keio ligament (ALTA-Thiersch).

Methods: This study included 106 consecutive patients (mean age, 81.

Tolerance and Efficacy of Polyethylene Glycol 4000 in Elderly Patients with Chronic Constipation: A Retrospective, Single-center, Observational Study.

Objectives: This retrospective, observational study aimed to evaluate the tolerance and efficacy of polyethylene glycol 4000 plus electrolytes (PEG 4000) in elderly patients with chronic constipation.

Methods: PEG 4000 powder was orally administered once daily at a dose of one or two 6.9 g sachets as the initial dose.

Injection of aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid in the treatment of fecal incontinence: a single-center observational study.

Purpose: Perianal injection of bulking agents is an attractive treatment option for patients with mild to moderate fecal incontinence (FI). Various bulking agents have been used for injection therapy, but the optimal injection materials and methods are yet to be standardized. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of injection therapy using aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) in the management of FI.

Rectosigmoid Localization of Radiopaque Markers for Identifying Defecation Disorders in Patients With Chronic Constipation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background/aims: Defecation disorders (DD) are part of the spectrum of chronic constipation with outlet obstruction. Although anorectal physiologic tests are required for the diagnosis of DD, these tests are not available in many institutions. This study aims to investigate the predictivity of DD using rectosigmoid localization of radiopaque markers in a colonic transit study.

Efficacy and Safety of Elobixibat in Elderly Patients with Chronic Constipation: A Single-center, Observational Study.

Objectives: A retrospective, observational study was conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of elobixibat, a novel therapeutic agent for chronic constipation, in Japanese elderly patients aged ≥ 65 years with chronic constipation.

Methods: The study was conducted at Kunimoto Hospital. Patients who visited the hospital from April 2018 to March 2019 due to symptoms of chronic constipation and who took elobixibat were enrolled.

Clinical efficacy of Japanese herbal medicine daikenchuto in the management of fecal incontinence: A single-center, observational study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the symptoms of fecal incontinence (FI) or anal sphincter dysfunction are improved by daikenchuto (DKT).

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study that analyzes the effects of DKT. The study was conducted at Kunimoto Hospital.

Progressive fibrosis significantly correlates with hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with a sustained virological response.

Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma develops even in some patients who achieve a sustained virological response following treatment for hepatitis C virus infection. This study investigated the relationship between changes in fibrosis, as assessed by sequential biopsies, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who achieved a sustained virological response for hepatitis C virus.

Methods: We enrolled 97 patients with sustained virological response who had undergone initial biopsies before therapy and sequential biopsies at an average of 5.

Involvement of Girdin in the determination of cell polarity during cell migration.

Cell migration is a critical cellular process that determines embryonic development and the progression of human diseases. Therefore, cell- or context-specific mechanisms by which multiple promigratory proteins differentially regulate cell migration must be analyzed in detail. Girdin (girders of actin filaments) (also termed GIV, Gα-interacting vesicle associated protein) is an actin-binding protein that regulates migration of various cells such as endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, neuroblasts, and cancer cells.

Safeguards against acute pancreatitis associated with endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation.

Background/purpose: Endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) is one of the methods used to remove bile duct stones. EPBD may preserve the function of the sphincter of Oddi in spite of the potential risk of acute pancreatitis caused by the procedure. There are only few reports of attempts to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis in EPBD.

Two cases of partial trisomy 21 (pter-q22.1) without the major features of Down syndrome.

We report two cases of partial trisomy 21 with clinical features distinct from Down syndrome (DS). These patients presented with moderate mental retardation and short stature, but the typical facial appearance of DS was not observed. Each patient had a similarly sized extra chromosome 21.

[A case report of advanced cardiac cancer showing a complete response to TS-1 as neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

A 69-year-old female had complaints of vomiting, appetite loss and feeling of pharyngeal obstruction. She was diagnosed with a 3'-shaped advanced cardiac cancer with esophageal invasion. A biopsy revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.

Acetic acid-derived prostaglandin-dependent colonic adaptive cytoprotection is preserved in chronic colitis: role of cyclo-oxygenase.

Background And Aims: We recently reported the phenomenon of prostaglandin-dependent colonic adaptive cytoprotection (CAP) against acute colonic injury induced by acetic acid (AA) in the normal colon. This study investigated whether the CAP is preserved in the chronic inflamed colon.

Materials And Methods: Normal rats and a chronic colitis model, induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, received an intracolonal administration (0.

Protective effect of pretreatment with low-dose lipopolysaccharide on D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure.

Background And Aims: The effect of low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) on liver damage and survival in rats with acute liver failure caused by a lethal dose of D-galactosamine (D-gal) was studied.

Results: Ninety percent of control animals died within 4 days after D-gal injection, but pretreatment with low-dose LPS significantly decreased mortality to 5%. There was marked elevation in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels 24 h after D-gal injection.