Advanced ERCP techniques for the extraction of complex biliary stones: a single referral center's 12-year experience.

Objectives: Advanced ERCP techniques (AETs) for difficult biliary stones include peroral cholangioscopy (POC) with electrohydraulic/laser lithotripsy (EHL/LL), endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) and mechanical lithotripsy (ML). We assess the efficacy of AETs.

Methods: A retrospective query for AETs.

Variation in learning curves and competence for ERCP among advanced endoscopy trainees by using cumulative sum analysis.

Background And Aims: There are limited data on learning curves and competence in ERCP. By using a standardized data collection tool, we aimed to prospectively define learning curves and measure competence among advanced endoscopy trainees (AETs) by using cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis.

Methods: AETs were evaluated by attending endoscopists starting with the 26th hands-on ERCP examination and then every ERCP examination during the 12-month training period.

Predictors for Surgical Referral in Patients With Pancreatic Cystic Lesions Undergoing Endoscopic Ultrasound: Results From a Large Multicenter Cohort Study.

Objective: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) plays an integral role in the evaluation of pancreatic cysts lesions (PCLs). The aim of the study was to determine predictors of surgical referral in patients with PCLs undergoing EUS.

Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective study of patients undergoing EUS for evaluation of PCLs.

Suboptimal accuracy of carcinoembryonic antigen in differentiation of mucinous and nonmucinous pancreatic cysts: results of a large multicenter study.

Background And Aims: The exact cutoff value at which pancreatic cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level distinguishes pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) from pancreatic nonmucinous cystic neoplasms (NMCNs) is unclear. The aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cyst fluid CEA levels in differentiating between MCNs and NMCNs.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent EUS with FNA at 3 tertiary care centers were identified.

Endoscopic and surgical treatment of malignant colorectal polyps: a population-based comparative study.

Background: Long-term population-based data comparing endoscopic therapy (ET) and surgery for management of malignant colorectal polyps (MCPs) are limited.

Objective: To compare colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific survival with ET and surgery.

Design And Setting: Population-based study.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with per oral pancreatoscopy for calcific chronic pancreatitis using endoscope and catheter-based pancreatoscopes: a 10-year single-center experience.

Objectives: Per oral pancreatoscopy (POP) with electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) or laser lithotripsy (LL) permits stone fragmentation and removal during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Our study evaluates the safety and efficacy of POP in patients with main pancreatic duct (PD) stones.

Methods: This was a cohort study of patients undergoing POP with EHL/LL for PD stones between January 2000 and March 2011.

ERCP with probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy for the evaluation of dominant biliary stenoses in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients.

Background And Study Aim: The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) ranges between 7 and 14 %. Despite using multiple tissue sampling modalities, detection of CCA remains a challenge. Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) has been utilized to visualize subepithelial biliary mucosa in patients with indeterminate strictures.

Molecular therapy for hepatic injury and fibrosis: where are we?

Hepatic fibrosis is a wound healing response, involving pathways of inflammation and fibrogenesis. In response to various insults, such as alcohol, ischemia, viral agents, and medications or hepatotoxins, hepatocyte damage will cause the release of cytokines and other soluble factors by Kupffer cells and other cell types in the liver. These factors lead to activation of hepatic stellate cells, which synthesize large amounts of extracellular matrix components.

Liposome-mediated extracellular superoxide dismutase gene delivery protects against acute liver injury in mice.

Our previous study demonstrated that polycationic liposomes are highly stable in the bloodstream and represent an effective agent for liver gene delivery. We report here that liposome-mediated extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) gene delivery successfully prevented acute liver injury in mice. The therapeutic efficacy of EC-SOD gene delivery by polycationic liposomes was determined against the toxicity of superoxide anions and hydroxyethyl radicals in HepG2 cells and in a mouse model of acute liver injury caused by D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide intoxication.