Evaluating patient acceptability and bowel preparation efficacy of sodium picosulfate-magnesium citrate for colonoscopy.

Objective: To evaluate patient acceptability and bowel preparation efficacy of sodium picosulfate-magnesium citrate (PICOPREP) for colonoscopy.

Methods: A questionnaire survey regarding the patient acceptability of bowel preparation agent PICOPREP was administered to 54 patients, and its efficacy was evaluated using the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OBPS).

Results: Eighteen (33.

Cytokines and Chemokines Involved in Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Loss in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis B Virus Coinfected Patients.

It has been reported that hepatic flare (HF), attributable to the development of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfected patients, occurs frequently after the start of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). We have observed several cases of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss after IRIS. However, the factors leading to HBsAg clearance remain unknown.

Evaluation of Muscle Cramp Associated with Liver Cirrhosis with a Focus on the Liver Function and Nutritional Status.

Objective We investigated the muscle cramp status of patients with liver cirrhosis by focusing on the degree of liver damage, skeletal muscle mass, and nutritional status. Methods All enrolled patients completed a questionnaire about muscle cramps. The degree of liver damage was examined using the Child-Pugh classification and the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade.

Successful treatment of adult-onset type II citrullinemia with a low-carbohydrate diet and L-arginine after DNA analysis produced a definitive diagnosis.

A 60-year-old male, who exhibited finger tremors, obnubilation, and hyperammonemia (409 μg/dL), was admitted to our hospital. Initially, we suspected that a portosystemic shunt had caused his hyperammonemia. However, his symptoms did not improve after balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with a novel fluoropyrimidine, S-1, and cisplatin for locally advanced esophageal cancer: long-term results of a phase II trial.

Objectives: A phase II study was performed to investigate the safety and efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) combined with an orally active fluoropyrimidine, S-1, plus cisplatin for locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC).

Methods: CCRT comprised 2 courses, a 30-Gy radiotherapy over 3 weeks plus daily oral S-1 (80 mg/m(2)/day) for 2 weeks and a 24-hour cisplatin infusion (70 mg/m(2)) on day 8, and an identical course administered after a 2-week break.

Results: One hundred and sixteen patients, 12 with stage II, 71 with stage III, and 33 with stage IVa LAEC participated, and 106 of them (91.