Influence of transforming growth factor-beta1 gene polymorphism at codon 10 on the development of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is a key cytokine producing extracellular matrix. We evaluated the effect of TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism at codon 10 on the development of cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. One hundred seventy eight patients with chronic hepatitis (CH, n=57) or liver cirrhosis (LC, n=121), who had HBsAg and were over 50 yr old, were enrolled.

A comparison of patient acceptance and preferences between CT colonography and conventional colonoscopy in colorectal cancer screening.

Background/aims: Colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers in developed countries, is curable when diagnosed at an early stage. However, for better screening, both a test that patients will tolerate and diagnostic accuracy are required. We compared patient experiences and preferences between computed tomographic (CT) colonography and conventional colonoscopy (CC) under conscious sedation.

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

With recent progress in treatment modalities, mortality from upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding has decreased appreciably. The aim of this study was to establish how UGI bleeds are managed in Korean patients with cirrhosis and to evaluate treatment outcomes. A total of 479 episodes of acute UGI bleeding in 464 patients with cirrhosis were included during a six-month period at nine tertiary medical centers.

Link between a preference for women colonoscopists and social status in Korean women.

Background: Although the sex preference in women patients for their colonoscopist has been reported, the characteristics of these women have not been evaluated yet.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of women who have a specific preference for a man or a woman colonoscopist.

Design: Single-center prospective study.

[A comparative cross-sectional study of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus, alcohol, or combination of hepatitis b virus and alcohol].

Background/aims: Alcohol may be a cocarcinogen in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. We investigated the effect of alcohol on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver cirrhosis (LC) caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Methods: All patients with LC or HCC associated with HBV or alcohol, admitted between March 2001 and June 2005, were included.

Decreasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection: a 9-year observational study.

Background/aims: Detailed information is still lacking on the trends of changes in Helicobacter pylori infection. The aim of the study was to investigate how the prevalence of H. pylori infection varied with gender and age during the past 9 years.

Comparison of the characteristics of submucosal injection solutions used in endoscopic mucosal resection.

Objective: Submucosal injection is used to prevent complications, such as perforation, during endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Since injection of normal saline produces mucosal elevation of short duration, repeated injection is needed for extensive resection. To overcome this limitation, various submucosal injection solutions have been developed but there are few data comparing their efficacy.