Feasibility and safety of EUS-guided selective portal vein embolization with a coil and cyanoacrylate in a live porcine model.

Background And Objectives: Preoperative portal vein (PV) embolization using the percutaneous transhepatic approach has been performed in patients with hepatobiliary malignancy before extensive liver resection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the technical feasibility and initial safety of EUS-guided selective PV embolization using a coil and cyanoacrylate in a live porcine model.

Methods: EUS-guided selective intrahepatic PV embolization with a coil and cyanoacrylate was performed in 9 pigs.

Comparison between groove carcinoma and groove pancreatitis.

Background/objectives: The pancreatoduodenal groove (anatomical groove) is a potential space bordered by the head of the pancreas, duodenum, and common bile duct. Discerning between groove carcinoma (GC) and groove pancreatitis (GP) is often difficult, but clinically important. We retrospectively analyzed and compared the findings of computed tomography (CT), laboratory tests, and endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for GC and GP.

EUS-guided cholecystostomy versus endoscopic transpapillary cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis in high-risk surgical patients.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic gallbladder drainage (GBD) has been performed as an alternative to percutaneous drainage for acute cholecystitis. To date, there has been no comparative study between EUS-guided cholecystostomy (EUSC) and endoscopic transpapillary cholecystostomy (ETC). The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of EUSC and ETC.

Grading by the Ki-67 Labeling Index of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Specimens of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Can Be Underestimated.

Objectives: There is an increasing need for grading with small endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) specimens for the proper diagnosis and therapy selection of patients with unresectable pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNET). However, our understanding of EUS-FNAB specimen grading is limited compared with surgically resected specimens.

Methods: We retrospectively determined Ki-67 labeling index (LI) of 33 matched EUS-FNAB and surgically resected PanNETs with digital image analyzer.

Benefits and limitations of biochar amendment in agricultural soils: A review.

Current agriculture faces multiple challenges due to rapid increases in food demand and environmental concerns. Recently, biochar application in agricultural soils has attracted a good deal of attention. According to literature findings, biochar has proven to play various beneficial roles with respect to the enhancement of crop yield as a fertilizer and soil quality as a soil conditioner.

Effects of reductive acetogenic bacteria and lauric acid on in vivo ruminal fermentation, microbial populations, and methane mitigation in Hanwoo steers in South Korea.

Animal science nutrition studies are increasingly focusing on finding solutions to reduce methane (CH4) emissions. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of reductive acetogenic bacteria [acetogen probiotics (AP)] and lauric acid (LA) on in vivo rumen fermentation and microbial populations in Hanwoo steers. Four cannulated Hanwoo steers (392 ± 14 kg) were analyzed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design and were placed in hood-type chambers.

Effect of optimal sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate supplementation on growth performance and blood and carcass characteristics in Hanwoo steers during the early fattening period.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) supplementation on growth performance and blood and carcass characteristics in Hanwoo steers during the early fattening period.

Methods: Sixty Hanwoo steers (average body weight, 333±36.4 kg) were randomly allotted to 3 treatments, with twenty steers per treatment, and ten steers per pen with a size of 80 m2.

Effect of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate supplementation on lactation performance, blood-biochemical profile, and economic efficacy of mid-lactation Holstein cows.

Objective: This study was done to evaluate the effect of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) supplementation in a total mixed ration (TMR) on the lactation performance, blood parameters, and economic efficacy of mid-lactation Holstein cows.

Methods: Twenty-four cows (body weight 647±11.7 kg) were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, with six cows per group.

Ruptured Mycotic Aneurysm of the Common Carotid Artery: A Case Report.

Mycotic aneurysms of the common carotid artery (CCA) are very rare and warrant surgical treatment to prevent rupture and death. A 89-year-old man who complained of a sore throat and swelling of the right side of neck. He had no history of trauma or neck infection.

EUS-Guided Biliary Drainage Versus ERCP for the Primary Palliation of Malignant Biliary Obstruction: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objectives: The goal of the study was to determine whether endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is comparable to conventional transpapillary stenting with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in palliation of malignant distal biliary obstruction. Although ERCP for the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction is the standard of care, post-procedure pancreatitis and stent dysfunctions are not uncommon. While EUS-BD has garnered interest as a viable alternative when ERCP is impossible, its role as a primary palliation of malignant distal biliary obstruction is yet to be proven.

Wavelength-tunable and shape-reconfigurable photonic capsule resonators containing cholesteric liquid crystals.

Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) have a photonic bandgap due to the periodic change of refractive index along their helical axes. The CLCs containing optical gain have served as band-edge lasing resonators. In particular, CLCs in a granular format provide omnidirectional lasing, which are promising as a point light source.

Simultaneous Hybrid Operation Common Femoral Endarterectomy and Endovascular Treatment in Multilevel Peripheral Arterial Disease with Critical Limb Ischemia.

The purpose of revascularization in lower extremity arterial occlusive disease is to prevent amputation and improve walking ability. Many surgical techniques for peripheral vascular disease (PAD) have been reported. The hybrid operation composed of open surgery and endovascular procedure has been increasingly used for multilevel revascularization.

Prognostic implications of hepatitis B virus infection in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated with first-line gemcitabine plus cisplatin.

Purpose:: Hepatitis B virus infection is a well-known risk factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. However, its prognostic impact has rarely been investigated in advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods:: Between April 2010 and May 2015, 296 patients with unresectable or metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who received gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GemCis) were categorized into a hepatitis B virus group (n=62; 21%) and a non-hepatitis B virus group (n=234; 79%).

The usefulness of contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration for evaluation of hepatic lesions (with video).

Background And Aims: Small hepatic masses often do not have distinct margins on B-mode EUS images. Contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CEH-EUS) is widely used for evaluating ambiguous pancreatic lesions. However, its role in detecting hepatic lesions and the use of EUS-guided FNA are not well evaluated.

In-situ biochar application conserves nutrients while simultaneously mitigating runoff and erosion of an Fe-oxide-enriched tropical soil.

Climate change gives rise to rapid degradation of rural soils in sloping subtropical and tropical areas and might further threaten environmental sustainability. In this study, we conducted an integrated evaluation of the effects of wood biochar (WB) application mixed with a green waste dreg compost (GWC) on runoff quality, soil losses, and agricultural productivity for a highly weathered tropical soil. A conventional agriculture method, in which soils are treated with anionic polyacrylamide (PAM), was also conducted for comparison.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for management of benign solid pancreatic tumors.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been increasingly employed in experimental and clinical settings for the management of pancreatic lesions. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided RFA for benign solid pancreatic tumors.

Methods: In a single-center, prospective study, 10 patients with benign solid pancreatic tumors underwent EUS-RFA.

Contrast-Enhanced Endoscopic Ultrasound for Differentially Diagnosing Autoimmune Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer.

Background/aims: Differentially diagnosing focal-type autoimmune pancreatitis (f-AIP) and pancreatic cancer (PC) is challenging. Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CEH-EUS) may provide information for differentiating pancreatic masses. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of CEH-EUS in differentiating f-AIP from PC.

Quantitative analysis of the perimeniscal position of the inferior lateral genicular artery (ILGA): magnetic resonance imaging study.

Purpose: The inferior lateral genicular artery (ILGA) passes around the lateral knee joint, adjacent to the lateral meniscus (LM). ILGA injuries in total knee arthroplasty or arthroscopic surgery can result in recurrent hemarthrosis or painful pseudoaneurysms. Detailed information about the perimeniscal position of the ILGA relative to the LM is necessary to avoid these complications.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Mixture of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Sodium Butyrate in Atopic Dermatitis Murine Model.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease. Recently, probiotics have been shown to suppress allergic symptoms through immunomodulatory responses. In the present study, combinatorial effects on allergic symptoms were identified in BALB/c mice fed with a mixture of four species of probiotics, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus plantarum, and sodium butyrate.

Nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine versus FOLFIRINOX as the first-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer: retrospective analysis.

Purpose nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (AG) and FOLFIRINOX have been established as standard first-line treatment in metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). We performed retrospective analysis comparing the efficacies of AG and FOLFIRINOX in daily practice setting. Materials and Methods We analyzed 308 patients who presented initially as mPC and received AG (n = 149) or FOLFIRINOX (n = 159) as first-line treatment between 2013 and 2016.

Outcomes after endoscopic ultrasound-guided ethanol-lipiodol ablation of small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Background And Aim: Little is known about the standard care of small (<2 cm in diameter) pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET). The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical outcomes of small PNET after endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided ethanol-lipiodol ablation (EUS-ELA).

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients who underwent EUS-ELA for PNET were enrolled and were followed for ≥3 years.

Effects of byproducts on intestinal microbiota and the immune modulation.

Objective: Although the efficacy of (RC) byproducts as a feed additive has been recognized, its effects on intestinal microorganisms and the immune system are still unknown.

Methods: Six-week-old male rats were treated with 0.5% RC (T1), 1.

Genome-wide Analysis of Alternative Splicing in An Inbred Cabbage ( L.) Line 'HO' in Response to Heat Stress.

Introduction: High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) studies demonstrate that Alter-native Splicing (AS) is a widespread mechanism that enhances transcriptome diversity, particularly in plants exposed to environmental stress. In an attempt to determine the transcriptome and AS patterns of cabbage inbred line "HO" under Heat Stress (HS), RNA-Seq was carried out using HS-treated and con-trol samples. Genome-wide analysis indicated that AS is differentially regulated in response to HS.

Hybrid treatment of multilevel revascularization in patients with peripheral arterial disease - a multi-centre study in Korea.

Background: Endovascular treatment is an alternative first-line management for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Hybrid treatment (HT) is defined as a combined treatment for patients with PAD using endovascular and open surgery, simultaneously performed in an operating room. The results of HT are reportedly good for multilevel revascularization (MR) in patients with chronic limb ischaemia, and even in older high-risk patients.