Elimination of HCV via a non-ISG-mediated mechanism by vaniprevir and BMS-788329 combination therapy in human hepatocyte chimeric mice.

We previously reported that interferon (IFN)-free direct-acting antiviral combination treatment succeeded in eradicating genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human hepatocyte chimeric mice. In this study, we examined the effect of vaniprevir (MK7009, NS3/4A protease inhibitor) and BMS-788329 (NS5A inhibitor) combination treatment on HCV genotype 1b and the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) using a subgenomic replicon system and the same animal model. Combination treatment with vaniprevir and BMS-788329 significantly reduced HCV replication compared to vaniprevir monotherapy in HCV replicon cells (Huh7/Rep-Feo cells).

Rapid, Sensitive, and Accurate Evaluation of Drug Resistant Mutant (NS5A-Y93H) Strain Frequency in Genotype 1b HCV by Invader Assay.

Daclatasvir and asunaprevir dual oral therapy is expected to achieve high sustained virological response (SVR) rates in patients with HCV genotype 1b infection. However, presence of the NS5A-Y93H substitution at baseline has been shown to be an independent predictor of treatment failure for this regimen. By using the Invader assay, we developed a system to rapidly and accurately detect the presence of mutant strains and evaluate the proportion of patients harboring a pre-treatment Y93H mutation.

Long term persistence of NS5A inhibitor-resistant hepatitis C virus in patients who failed daclatasvir and asunaprevir therapy.

Although interferon-free antiviral treatment is expected to improve treatment of hepatitis C, it is unclear to what extent pre-existing drug-resistant amino acid substitutions influence response to therapy. The impact of pre-existing drug-resistant substitutions on virological response to daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy was studied in genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Thirty-one patients were treated with daclatasvir and asunaprevir for 24 weeks.

Evaluation of antibiotic use to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and cholangitis.

Background/aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between prophylactic antibiotic use and complications following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Methodology: We retrospectively evaluated 605 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP in our hospital between September 2009 and November 2011. The antibiotic group included patients who underwent their procedure before October 2010, while the control group included patients after October 1, 2010, who did not receive antibiotics.

Occupational Radiation Exposure during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and Usefulness of Radiation Protective Curtains.

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of radiation protective curtains in reducing the occupational radiation exposure of medical personnel. Methods.

[Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after endoscopic biliary stenting for pancreatic cancer].

A man in his sixties presented to our hospital with obstructive jaundice and was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Chemoradiotherapy was initiated, and an expandable metallic stent was inserted endoscopically to drain the biliary system. Six months later, he was referred to our hospital with 1-week history of epigastric pain and obstructive jaundice.

Characteristic Features of Cholangiocarcinoma Complicating Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Background/aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is often complicated by cholangiocarcinoma (CCA); thus, early detection of CCA is an important way to improve PSC prognosis.

Methodology: In a retrospective study, 23 cases of PSC were included. Seven cases were complicated by CCA (CCA group) and 16 cases were not (control group).

Timing of radiological improvement after steroid therapy in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis.

Objective: We retrospectively studied the timing of radiological improvement after steroid therapy in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

Material And Methods: Patients with AIP (n = 31) received steroids followed by diagnostic imaging within 1 month. Pancreatic swelling, pancreatic and bile duct features, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were compared before and after treatment.

Comparative study of 4 Fr versus 6 Fr nasobiliary drainage catheters: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background And Aim: Despite the benefits of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (NBD) in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and nose/throat discomfort can result. We aimed to determine whether the use of a smaller catheter alleviates these complications.

Method: A randomized, controlled trial at a tertiary care center compared 4 Fr and 6 Fr NBD catheters; 165 ERCP patients with naïve papillae were randomly assigned to a catheter-size group.

A novel TK-NOG based humanized mouse model for the study of HBV and HCV infections.

The immunodeficient mice transplanted with human hepatocytes are available for the study of the human hepatitis viruses. Recently, human hepatocytes were also successfully transplanted in herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (TK)-NOG mice. In this study, we attempted to infect hepatitis virus in humanized TK-NOG mice and urokinase-type plasminogen activator-severe combined immunodeficiency (uPA-SCID) mice.

Elevated expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 in primary sclerosing cholangitis: ιmplications for cholangiocarcinogenesis.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) occurs frequently in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) induced by inflammation are believed to mediate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production thereby promoting carcinogenesis. Their expression in PSC-associated CCA tissues and non-neoplastic bile duct epithelial cells (BDECs) in PSC was investigated.

[Malignant phyllodes tumor metastatic to the pancreas: a case report].

A woman in her 50s was admitted with obstructive jaundice due to a pancreatic mass. She had a history of a right breast phyllodes tumor treated with mastectomy 3 years previously. Diagnostic imaging (endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), CT, and MRI) demonstrated a well-demarcated mass in the pancreatic head.

[A new method for measuring temporal resolution in electrocardiogram-gated reconstruction image with area-detector computed tomography].

The purpose of this study was to design and construct a phantom for using motion artifact in the electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated reconstruction image. In addition, the temporal resolution under various conditions was estimated. A stepping motor was used to move the phantom over an arc in a reciprocating manner.

[Evaluation of 320-row area detector computed tomography (ADCT) coronary angiography for patients with atrial fibrillation].

The aim of this study was to evaluate 320-row area detector CT (ADCT) for patients with atrial fibrillation (Af) based on simulated exposure using electrocardiogram RR intervals and comparison with the findings of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) using 64-row multi slice CT (MSCT). The probability of including RR intervals of 900 ms or more was calculated when the acquisition time was varied from 1 to 4 beats. Overall, 51 patients with Af who underwent CCTA were examined.

[A case of drug-induced interstitial pneumonia caused by S-1 and CPT-11 combination therapy for advanced colon cancer].

The patient was a 77-year-old woman admitted for nausea and abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed advanced ascending colon cancer with liver metastasis. After operation, we started combination chemotherapy of S-1 and irinotecan (CPT-11); S-1(80 mg/m²) administered orally for consecutive days followed by 14 days rest.

[A case of effective chemotherapy using S-1 and CPT-11 following chemoradiotherapy with UFT and Leucovorin for unresectable advanced sigmoid colon cancer].

The patient was a 75-year-old man who was admitted because of diarrhea and anemia. Endoscopic examination revealed advanced sigmoid colon cancer. Serum CEA levels were markedly elevated.

[A case of effective chemoradiotherapy using S-1 and CDDP for left inguinal lymph node metastasis of anal canal carcinoma].

We report a case of left inguinal lymph node metastasis of anal canal carcinoma, treated effectively with chemotherapy consisting of S-1 and CDDP combined with radiotherapy. In February 2006, a 76-year-old woman underwent resection of a tumor diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. The patient refused additional surgical therapy.

[Yakon tea induced hepatitis in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis].

A 66-year-old woman, given a diagnosis of alcoholic liver cirrhosis in 2004, had improved her liver function by abstinence from drinking. Since then, she has drunk 1 to 2 liters of Yakon tea per day. Her liver function deteriorated and T.

[The improvement in the cerebral blood flow analysis software in case of CT-perfusion inspection and the examination of the scan protocol].

In our hospital, CT-perfusion was introduced in April, 2002. It is used to diagnose, to determine what treatment to use and to prognosticate cerebral blood flow after operation in super acute period brain infarct. At the beginning of the introduction, processing time and dosage for partial areas needed improvement.