Aged garlic extract enhances the production of β‑defensin 4 via activation of the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway in mouse gingiva.

Periodontal disease is recognized as a chronic multifactorial inflammatory condition initiated by dysbiosis within subgingival plaque biofilms. Antimicrobial peptides exhibit a wide spectrum of antimicrobial action, and thus, provide one of the first lines of host defense against oral pathogens. Aged garlic extract (AGE) is effective for preventing the progression of periodontal disease.

Ultrasound-assisted middle thoracic epidural catheter placement utilizing the most dorsal sites of bilateral transverse process roots as anatomical landmarks: A cadaveric observational study and a clinical randomized controlled trial.

Study Objective: We developed an innovative method for ultrasound-assisted thoracic epidural catheter placement and assessed its potential to reduce procedural duration for trainees.

Design: A cadaveric observational study and a clinical randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Sapporo Medical University Hospital.

Usefulness of pancreatic volume quantitative analysis as a predictor of development and severity of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis.

Background: Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is one of the most common and serious adverse events associated with ERCP. Thus, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of pre-ERCP pancreatic volume, which is deeply involved in exocrine pancreatic function, as a predictor of PEP development and severity.

Methods: In total, 1107 patients who underwent their first ERCP were recruited from January 2012 to December 2022 for this retrospective study.

Programmed Death Ligand 1 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells as a Predictor and Monitor of Response to Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Treatment in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

There remains no reliable biomarker of therapeutic efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev). Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) enable the serial collection of living tumor cells. Pre-treatment and serial CTC gene expression changes and tumor histology were evaluated to identify predictors of response to Atezo/Bev.

Isolation of mucosa-associated microbiota dysbiosis in the ascending colon in hepatitis C virus post-sustained virologic response cirrhotic patients.

Background: Achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) reduces all-cause mortality. However, the mechanisms and risk factors for liver fibrosis and portal hypertension post-SVR remain incompletely understood. In the gut-liver axis, mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) substantially influence immune and metabolic functions, displaying spatial heterogeneity at the anatomical intestinal site.

High correlation of hepatic shear wave velocity with esophageal varices complication rate in patients with chronic liver diseases.

Background: Histological evaluation by liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for assessing liver disease; however, it is highly invasive. Non-invasive liver stiffness measurement by shear wave elastography (SWE) is effective for evaluating the hepatic fibrosis stage and related diseases. In this study, we investigated the correlations of liver stiffness with hepatic inflammation/fibrosis, functional hepatic reserve, and related diseases in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).

Longer Survival and Preserved Liver Function after Proton Beam Therapy for Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Proton beam therapy (PBT) has been recently reported to achieve excellent tumor control with minimal toxicity in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) was investigated for larger HCC. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of PBT on unresectable HCC in comparison with TACE combined with RFA.

S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 through inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme-epidermal growth factor receptor axis in human gingival fibroblasts.

Periodontal disease is the most common dental health problem characterized by the destruction of connective tissue and the resorption of alveolar bone resulting from a chronic infection associated with pathogenic bacteria in the gingiva. Aged garlic extract has been reported to improve gingival bleeding index and probing pocket depth score in patients with mild to moderate periodontitis. Although our previous study found that aged garlic extract and its constituents suppressed the tumor necrosis factor-α-induced inflammatory responses in a human gingival epithelial cell line, the mechanism underlying the effect of aged garlic extract on the destruction of the gingiva remains unclear.

Hepatocellular carcinoma progression promoted by 5-lipoxygenase activity in CD163(+) tumor-associated macrophages.

Arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), an enzyme that synthesizes leukotrienes (LTs), is involved in cancer development including proliferation, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance. However, the functional role of 5-LOX in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of 5-LOX in HCC progression and investigated the potential of targeted therapy.

Histology and cytokine levels in hepatic injury accompanying a case of non-severe COVID-19.

The pathogenesis of liver dysfunction that complicates coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear, especially in mild to moderate severity cases. In this case, a novel coronavirus infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a 76-year-old woman hospitalized after presenting with fever. No other abnormal physical findings were observed, and oxygen administration was not required.

Cholesterol crystal embolism in multiple organs after transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: An autopsy case report.

Rationale: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rarely causes cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE). In our case, the histological findings suggested that the onset of CCE occurred at different time points in different organs.

Patient Concerns: A 72-year-old Japanese woman with HCC underwent TACE.

A rare case of eosinophilic gastritis induced by nivolumab therapy for metastatic melanoma.

Cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause immune reactions at various sites as a side effect called immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The gastrointestinal tract is susceptible to irAEs, however, the degree and presentation vary considerably from case to case. A 76-year-old woman was diagnosed with anal mucosal melanoma.

Successful early diagnosis of monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma manifesting as chronic diarrhea and hypokalemia using video capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy.

Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL), formerly known as enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) type II, is a rare disease with a poor prognosis that is often diagnosed when patients present with intestinal perforation or obstruction. Our patient, a man in his 60 s, had a 5-month history of persistent watery diarrhea. Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, abdominal computed tomography (CT), and stool culture results were unremarkable.

Elderly onset congenital hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension diagnosed after recurrent cholangitis: a case report.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by ductal plate malformation that can manifest as hepatic fibrosis alone or as a component in various fibropolycystic diseases including renal involvement. It is often diagnosed early in life, presenting with ascites and esophageal variceal bleeding due to non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Here, we report a rare case of congenital hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension diagnosed at an advanced age.

Regulatory function of interferon-inducible 44-like for hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA in primary human hepatocytes.

Aim: Curing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection requires elimination of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). Interferon (IFN)-γ has noncytolytic antiviral potential; however, elimination of cccDNA could not be achieved. To enhance the regulatory effect, we comprehensively analyzed the host factors associated with cccDNA amplification and IFN-γ and IFN-α effects using an in vitro HBV infection system showing various transcription levels.

Clinical Usefulness of [18F]-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-d-Glucose-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Distinguishing Between Autoimmune Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer.

Objectives: We investigated the [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) findings of pancreatic and extrapancreatic lesions in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and pancreatic cancer (PC) and evaluated the usefulness of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for differentiating between AIP and PC.

Methods: Eighty-five patients, 19 with AIP and 66 with PC, who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT were studied retrospectively. We evaluated the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), patterns and distributions of FDG activity in pancreatic lesions, as well as FDG uptake in extrapancreatic lesions.

Severe necrotizing pancreatitis immediately after non-abdominal surgery under general anesthesia with propofol.

Postoperative pancreatitis is a relatively rare disease and is poorly recognized. Herein, we present a case of necrotizing pancreatitis that developed immediately after non-abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. In this report, 4 h after thyroidectomy under general anesthesia using propofol, the patient developed upper abdominal pain and was diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis with extensive pancreatic necrosis.

Pembrolizumab-induced autoimmune side effects of colon and pancreas in a patient with lung cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been shown to be effective for treating many carcinomas. However, the activated immune response may lead to the development of multiple immune-related adverse events, including rare immune-mediated inflammation due to autoimmune mechanisms. An 82-year-old man was diagnosed with large cell lung cancer (T1aN3M1 stage IVB) and was treated with inhibitors of the programmed cell death receptor-1, pembrolizumab.

Advanced primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the liver with a small cell carcinoma component: an autopsy case report.

Primary adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the liver is a rare subtype of cholangiocarcinoma that comprises both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma components. We report a 48-year-old woman with advanced primary ASC and small cell carcinoma of the liver who had extrahepatic metastasis and received multiple chemotherapy regimens. After first presenting with upper abdominal pain, imaging revealed a 10.