Publications by authors named "Kotaro Kumagai"

Article Synopsis
  • Resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) can significantly reduce the effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), particularly in patients experiencing treatment failure.
  • In a study using a subgenomic replicon system, specific RASs were found to have extremely high levels of resistance to several DAAs, showcasing the varying degrees of resistance among different mutations.
  • The research indicates that combining pibrentasvir with sofosbuvir may effectively treat HCV infections with these resistance mutations, potentially leading to successful eradication.
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Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on colonic morphology and gut microbiota in a rat model of short bowel syndrome (SBS).

Methods: SD rats underwent jugular vein catheterization for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and 90% small bowel resection [TPN + SBS (control group) or TPN + SBS + intravenous HGF (0.3 mg/kg/day, HGF group)].

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Background: We evaluated the effect of recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor (rh-HGF) on intestinal adaptation in a rat model of short-bowel syndrome (SBS).

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent jugular vein catheterization for continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and 90 % small bowel resection. The animals were divided into 3 groups: TPN/SBS (control group, n = 7), TPN/SBS/intravenous recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (0.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study aimed to explore how autophagy is linked with apoptosis in liver damage within a rat model that simulates short bowel syndrome (SBS).
  • Rats were divided into two groups to receive different treatments: one group received standard care (Control) and the other received hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).
  • Results showed that HGF treatment reduced liver inflammation and injury markers while possibly enhancing cell survival, indicating a complex role in liver health that needs further investigation.
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  • GPNMB, a protein expressed in macrophages, is linked to liver recovery following acute liver injury (ALI) in mice and is studied for its role in human ALI and acute liver failure (ALF).
  • The study assessed serum GPNMB levels over time in 56 ALI/ALF patients, revealing higher GPNMB levels associated with severe conditions like hepatic encephalopathy and adverse outcomes such as liver transplantation or death.
  • Findings suggest that elevated serum and liver GPNMB correlate with liver injury severity and prognosis, with GPNMB-positive macrophages presenting an immunosuppressive M2c phenotype, highlighting its potential as a prognostic marker for ALI and ALF patients.
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Background: The rate of metachronous recurrence after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma is as high (10-15%). The acetaldehyde breath test may detect acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene polymorphisms. Therefore, we evaluated its usefulness in assessing metachronous recurrence in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma.

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Article Synopsis
  • An 87-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with black stool, anemia, and multiple gastric ulcers, and his condition worsened, leading to a diagnosis of acute liver failure (ALF) with hepatic coma.
  • Laboratory tests indicated high liver enzyme levels, elevated inflammation markers, and signs of a potential hematologic tumor.
  • Despite efforts for treatment, the man passed away three days later; autopsy revealed aggressive natural killer-cell leukemia (ANKL) as the underlying cause.
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Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) serves key roles in cell motility, proliferation and immunoregulatory functions. However, the effect of HGF on macrophages is unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of HGF on the phenotypic alterations of intestinal lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to differentiate between idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and non-DILI in patients with acute liver injury (ALI), focusing on the effectiveness of modified diagnostic scores.* -
  • A total of 29 DILI patients and 77 non-DILI patients were analyzed, with the results showing high diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing DILI using modified international AIH group scores (IAIHGs) and the Roussel-Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM).* -
  • The modified scores demonstrated excellent performance in both derivation and validation cohorts, achieving accuracy rates of 96% and 95% respectively, indicating that detailed medical interviews and lab data can effectively identify D
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The present study clarified the prognosis of intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who received lenvatinib (LEN) followed by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on demand. We retrospectively evaluated 88 intermediate-stage HCC patients who received LEN. The median age was 74 (range: 47-92) years old, 67 patients were male, and 82 were classified as Child-Pugh A.

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We treated a case of gastroesophageal varices due to decompensated liver cirrhosis associated with Wilson's disease. The varicose veins penetrated the paraesophageal vein. We performed endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) on the perforating vein and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy distally.

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Aim: We investigated whether an early-phase prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) is an interventional prognostic indicator for patients with acute liver injury, including acute liver failure.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective observational study. We included 595 patients with alanine aminotransferase levels ≥300 U/L due to acute liver injury who were admitted to Kagoshima University Hospital or other collaborative investigation organizations between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2015.

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A 44-year-old woman presented with cough, facial edema, and progressive fatigue. Computed tomography (CT) showed an anterior mediastinal mass, and laboratory findings showed liver injury. She was diagnosed with thymoma and scheduled for thymectomy after radiation and chemotherapy.

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Purpose: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients require total parenteral nutrition (TPN) following massive small bowel resection (SBR), which may cause intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), a life-threatening complication. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) acts as a potent hepatocyte mitogen with anti inflammatory and antioxidant actions. The present study evaluated the effect of recombinant human HGF (rh-HGF) on SBR and subsequent IFALD using a parentally fed rat model of SBS.

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The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is continuously increasing, with the proportion of patients with liver carcinogenesis due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rising accordingly. Although it is important to identify individuals with hepatic carcinogenesis among patients with NAFLD, useful biomarkers have not yet been established. Previously, in a mouse model of diabetes mellitus without genetic modifications, we reported that a high-fat diet increases serine palmitoyltransferase long chain subunit 3 (SPTLC3) expression in liver tissue, accompanied by high frequency of liver carcinogenesis.

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Background: The features of hepatitis C virus patients with a sustained virologic response (SVR) who developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy are unclear.

Methods: The study population included 1494 DAA-SVR patients without a history of HCC. The cumulative carcinogenesis rate after the end of treatment (EOT) and factors related to HCC were analyzed.

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Purpose: Total parental nutrition (TPN) causes gastrointestinal mucosal atrophy. The present study investigated the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the intestinal mucosal atrophy induced by TPN.

Methods: Rats underwent jugular vein catheterization and were divided into four groups: oral feeding (OF), TPN alone (TPN), TPN plus low-dose HGF (0.

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Highly sensitive agglutinin-reactive fraction of α-fetoprotein (hs-AFP-L3) is a specific marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been reliable in cases with a low serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level. However, the biomarkers that contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis during the long-term observation are not yet clear. The present study reported the clinical utility of hs-AFP-L3 in the long-term observation of patients with chronic liver disease.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the relationship between the copy number variations (CNVs) of the DEFA1A3 gene, which encodes human neutrophil peptides associated with immunity, and the severity of ulcerative colitis (UC) in 165 patients.* -
  • Findings revealed a significant correlation between high DEFA1A3 CNV and greater UC severity, indicated by higher Mayo scores and white blood cell counts, suggesting that higher CNV is an independent risk factor for severe UC.* -
  • The research concluded that DEFA1A3 CNV may serve as a new marker for UC severity and potentially offer a target for future therapies, as patients with higher CNV had significantly increased levels of HNP after neutrophil
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Aim: Qualitative body composition (BC) change, characterized by the combination of visceral fat gain and muscle loss, is drawing attention as a risk factor for fatty liver (FL). The present study aimed to describe trends in BC change and its association with FL in the Japanese population.

Methods: Data from medical checkups carried out on 56 639 Japanese participants every 5 years from 1997 to 2017 were analyzed.

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Purpose: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) sometimes induces parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD). Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) acts as a potent hepatocyte mitogen anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. We aimed to evaluate the effect of HGF on PNALD in a rat model of TPN.

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Tumor necrosis factor-like cytokine 1A (TL1A, TNFSF15) is implicated in inflammatory bowel disease, modulating the location and severity of inflammation and fibrosis. TL1A expression is increased in inflamed mucosa and associated with fibrostenosing Crohn's disease. Tl1a-overexpression in mice causes spontaneous ileitis, and exacerbates induced proximal colitis and fibrosis.

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Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)-MET signaling is known to promote biological functions such as cell survival, cell motility, and cell proliferation. However, it is unknown if HGF-MET alters the macrophage phenotype. In this study, we aimed to study the effects of HGF-MET signaling on the M1 macrophage phenotype.

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Article Synopsis
  • Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C show potential in not just eliminating the virus but also possibly affecting tumor growth and hypervascularization in patients with hypovascular tumors.
  • A study of 481 patients treated with DAA therapy revealed that a significant portion of those with hypovascular tumors experienced growth or increased blood supply, despite achieving a sustained virologic response.
  • The research indicates that patients with hypovascular tumors remain at a higher risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) post-treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring even after HCV elimination.
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