Pipeline esophageal varices: Insights from clinical cases and models.

Objectives: While esophageal varices (EVs) are typically treated endoscopically, other options such as interventional radiology or surgical treatment are considered when endoscopic treatment is challenging. Pipeline EVs are difficult to treat endoscopically due to their large diameter, and currently, no specific treatment guidelines have been established.

Methods: We reviewed cases of pipeline EVs treated at our hospital and analyzed previously reported cases to collect evidence for the formulation of treatment guidelines.

Identification of microbial antigens in liver tissues involved in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis using 16S rRNA metagenome analysis.

Background: Multiple factors are involved in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a chronic cholestatic liver disease, characterized by intrahepatic cholangiopathy. In particular, studies have suggested that environmental factors such as the presence of granulomas in the portal vein region are important for the development of PBC. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze and identify foreign-derived antigens in PBC liver tissue to confirm their involvement in PBC pathogenesis.

Role of Bile-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Hepatocellular Proliferation after Partial Hepatectomy in Rats.

Although liver regeneration has been extensively studied, the effects of bile-derived extracellular vesicles (bile EVs) on hepatocytes has not been elucidated. We examined the influence of bile EVs, collected from a rat model of 70% partial hepatectomy (PH), on hepatocytes. We produced bile-duct-cannulated rats.