Serum anti-DIDO1, anti-CPSF2, and anti-FOXJ2 antibodies as predictive risk markers for acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a serious cause of mortality and disability. AIS is a serious cause of mortality and disability. Early diagnosis of atherosclerosis, which is the major cause of AIS, allows therapeutic intervention before the onset, leading to prevention of AIS.

Immunomodulator-associated Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer in a patient with refractory Crohn's disease.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive mucocutaneous ulcer is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder occurring in elderly or iatrogenic immunocompromised patients. We report a 27-year-old male patient with Crohn's disease (CD) who developed immunomodulator-associated lymphoproliferative disorder. The patient was diagnosed with CD at the age of 17 and was treated with maintenance therapy including high-dose infliximab and azathioprine.

Comparison of a novel predictor of venous thromboembolic complications in inflammatory bowel disease with current predictors.

Background And Aim: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of VTE in hospitalized patients with IBD.

Methods: Patients with IBD who were hospitalized from February 2015 to March 2016 at the Chiba University Hospital were included.

Real-time Endoscopy-Guided Measurement of Rectal Mucosal Admittance Is a Novel and Safe Method for Predicting Ulcerative Colitis Relapse.

Background: There are known associations between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and changes in mucosal paracellular permeability. We recently developed a novel catheter that can measure mucosal admittance (MA).

Methods: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinical remission underwent real-time MA measurement during colonoscopy between June 2014 and July 2015 and were prospectively followed.

Investigation of novel biomarkers for predicting the clinical course in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: The clinical course of ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by repeated episodes of relapse and remission. We hypothesized that biomarkers that help distinguish refractory UC patients who are in remission using strong anti-immunotherapy could contribute in preventing the overuse of corticosteroids for treatment. Here, we clarified novel autoantibodies for UC patients in remission as clinical indicators to distinguish between refractory and non-refractory UC.

Long-Term Outcome of Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation for Strictures in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

Background/aims: Endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) is an alternative to surgery for strictures in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of the present study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of EBD for strictures in patients with CD.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with CD who underwent EBD for strictures from August 2008 to November 2015 were followed up after dilatation.

Evaluation of Esophageal Mucosal Integrity in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Background: Impaired esophageal mucosal integrity plays a role in causing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Recently, the assessment of esophageal baseline impedance (BI) using the multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) test was suggested as a surrogate technique for the study of esophageal mucosal integrity and was reported to be useful in distinguishing GERD from non-GERD. However, measuring BI requires a 24-h testing period, is complicated, and causes considerable patient discomfort.

Endoscopy-Guided Evaluation of Duodenal Mucosal Permeability in Functional Dyspepsia.

Objectives: The pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia (FD) is not fully understood. Impaired duodenal mucosal integrity characterized by increased mucosal permeability and/or low-grade inflammation was reported as potentially important etiologies. We aimed to determine the utility of a recently developed simple catheterization method to measure mucosal admittance (MA), the inverse of mucosal impedance, for evaluation of duodenal mucosal permeability in patients with FD.

The Effect of Ineffective Esophageal Motility on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Background/aims: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is the most common gastrointestinal motility disorder. Studies have reported that IEM is related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the relationship between IEM and GERD remains uncertain.