Impact of viral eradication by direct-acting antivirals on clinical outcomes after curative treatment for hepatitis C virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: It is not clear that antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) after recovery from curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has an effect on suppressing recurrence or improving survival rates.

Objectives: We analyzed the impact of eradication by interferon (IFN)-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy on clinical outcomes of patients with HCV-associated HCC who underwent curative treatment.

Design: This was a retrospective study.

NeRF-based multi-frame 3D integration for 3D endoscopy using active stereo.

3D measurement for endoscopic systems has large potential not only for cancer diagnosis or computer-assisted medical systems, but also for providing ground truth for supervised training of deep neural networks. To achieve it, one of the promising approach is the implementation of an active-stereo system using a micro-sized pattern-projector attached to the head of the endoscope. Furthermore, a multi-frame optimization algorithm for the endoscopic active-stereo system has been proposed to improve accuracy and robustness; in the approach, differential rendering algorithm is used to simultaneously optimize the 3D scene represented by triangle meshes and the camera/projector poses.

Efficacy of Lenvatinib and Atezolizumab Bevacizumab Combination Therapy in Patients With Combined Hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma.

Background/aim: Surgical resection remains the only curative treatment for combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma; however, systemic therapy is the primary treatment option for unresectable cases. This multicenter retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy of systemic therapy for unresectable combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-one patients with histologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma who received systemic therapy were included.

Clinical features by disease duration in ulcerative colitis-associated cancers.

Aim: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a known contributor to the development of colitis-associated cancer (CAC), although the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated. CAC typically presents as a flat type macroscopically and manifests histologically as mucinous carcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma. While the relationship between disease duration and chronic inflammation has been studied, the impact of disease duration on CAC outcomes has yet to be thoroughly investigated.

Multiomics Analysis of Liver Molecular Dysregulation Leading to Nonviral-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development.

Chronic liver diseases exhibit diverse backgrounds, and it is believed that numerous factors contribute to progression to cancer. To achieve effective prevention of nonviral hepatocellular carcinoma, it is imperative to identify fundamental molecular abnormalities at the patient level. Utilizing cancer-adjacent liver tissues obtained from hepatocellular carcinoma patients (chronic liver disease), we conducted RNA-Seq and metabolome analyses.

Helicobacter pylori-positive colorectal MALT lymphoma with repeated metachronous recurrence after a complete response to eradication therapy and regression after a watch-and-wait strategy.

A 77-year-old man underwent a colonoscopy. A submucosal cecal tumor was found, and localized colorectal MALT lymphoma (Lugano stage I) was diagnosed with a Helicobacter pylori infection. The first-line eradication therapy was successful, and the cecal lesion regressed.

Intracellular enhancement technique for gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary-phase magnetic resonance imaging: evaluation of hepatic function.

Purpose: To investigate the utility of intracellular enhancement (ICE) technique which suppresses signals from the extracellular space for the evaluation of hepatic function on gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary-phase (HBP) images.

Methods: We subjected 67 patients with suspected neoplastic hepatic lesions to gadoxetic acid-enhanced HBP imaging with and without ICE [i-HBP, conventional-HBP (c-HBP)]. A radiologist calculated the liver/spleen contrast (LSC) [LSC = signal intensity (SI) of liver/SI of spleen].

Efficiency of Real-time Computer-aided Polyp Detection during Surveillance Colonoscopy: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: Studies have suggested that computer-aided polyp detection using artificial intelligence improves adenoma identification during colonoscopy. However, its real-world effectiveness remains unclear. Therefore, this study evaluated the usefulness of computer-aided detection during regular surveillance colonoscopy.

Usefulness of serum HBV RNA levels for predicting antiviral response to entecavir treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA is an important serum biomarker of hepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcriptional activity; however, its clinical characteristics remain unclear. This study evaluated the clinical utility of HBV RNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: We studied 87 CHB patients with serum HBV DNA levels ≥ 5.

Multicenter prospective feasibility study on compliance, safety, and acceptance of small bowel and colon capsule endoscopy in the out-of-clinic setting in Japan.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the compliance, safety, and acceptance of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) and small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in an out-of-clinic setting remotely supported by medical staff.

Methods: We enrolled 30 examinees (24 with CCE and six with SBCE) who had not undergone CE at six gastroenterological centers. All examinees were provided with instructions on equipment and bowel preparations.

From Omics to Multi-Omics: A Review of Advantages and Tradeoffs.

Bioinformatics is a rapidly evolving field charged with cataloging, disseminating, and analyzing biological data. Bioinformatics started with genomics, but while genomics focuses more narrowly on the genes comprising a genome, bioinformatics now encompasses a much broader range of omics technologies. Overcoming barriers of scale and effort that plagued earlier sequencing methods, bioinformatics adopted an ambitious strategy involving high-throughput and highly automated assays.

Significance of administering postoperative pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy for fat digestion and absorption functions in patients who underwent initial total pancreatectomy.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of postoperative pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy on fat digestion and absorption in patients following initial total pancreatectomy.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from patients who underwent initial total pancreatectomy at our department between 2012 and 2020. Fat digestion, absorption functions, serum nutritional markers, HbA1c levels, and hepatic steatosis before and after the initial total pancreatectomy were evaluated.

Optimal indication of adding pancreatic juice cytology in the diagnosis of malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

Background/objectives: Positive pancreatic juice cytology (PJC) is an important finding when considering surgical resection in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN); however, guidelines do not recommend endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for PJC. This study aimed to clarify the findings worthy of adding PJC for diagnosing high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and invasive carcinoma (IC) in patients with IPMN.

Methods: Patients with IPMN who underwent preoperative PJC and surgical resection at Hiroshima University Hospital were enrolled, and the diagnostic yield of malignant IPMN based on PJC and clinical and imaging findings and the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) were retrospectively analyzed.

Comparative study of therapeutic outcomes in patients who developed hepatolithiasis after hepaticojejunostomy: balloon-assisted enteroscopic approach versus percutaneous transhepatic approach.

Background: The treatment of hepatolithiasis in patients who underwent hepaticojejunostomy (HJS) is challenging. In this study, we aimed to clarify the therapeutic outcomes of double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for hepatolithiasis after HJS.

Methods: Patients who underwent DBE or PTBD for hepatolithiasis after HJS at Hiroshima University Hospital were enrolled, and treatment outcomes and recurrence were compared.

Prophylactic clip closure in preventing delayed bleeding after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients on anticoagulants: a multicenter retrospective cohort study in Japan.

Background:  The effectiveness of prophylactic clip closure in reducing the risk of delayed bleeding after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is uncertain among patients on anticoagulants. We therefore aimed to assess this effectiveness using data from a large multicenter study.

Methods:  We used the ABCD-J study database to analyze delayed bleeding among 34 455 colorectal ESD cases from 47 Japanese institutions.

Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Hepatitis C Virus Sustained Virologic Response Using a Random Survival Forest Model.

Purpose: Postsustained virologic response (SVR) screening following clinical guidelines does not address individual risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim is to provide tailored screening for patients using machine learning to predict HCC incidence after SVR.

Methods: Using clinical data from 1,028 SVR patients, we developed an HCC prediction model using a random survival forest (RSF).

Linked Color Imaging with Light-Emitting Diode Light Enhances the Visibility of Gastric Neoplasm: A Prospective, Multicenter, Comparative Trial.

Background: Early detection of gastric cancer can play a key role in improving prognosis. Recently, light-emitting diodes (LED) have been developed as novel endoscopic systems. However, the differences in the visibility of gastric neoplastic lesions between LED and laser endoscopy remains unclear.

Serum IL-6 concentration is a useful biomarker to predict the efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: This study aims to identify biomarkers for treatment response of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo+Bev) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: 96 patients who received Atezo+Bev or lenvatinib as a first-line systemic therapy were enrolled as the training group after propensity score matching (PSM), and 42 patients treated with Atezo+Bev were enrolled as the validation group. 17 serum cytokines were measured by Luminex multiplex assay at the start of treatment.

A case of malignant lymphoma of the extrahepatic bile duct diagnosed by detailed imaging examination and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

A 70-year-old woman presented to our hospital with abdominal pain. Imaging examinations showed diffuse and extensive wall thickening at the perihilar bile duct; however, the degree of stricture was mild, and the mucosal epithelium was smooth. A transpapillary biopsy was performed considering cholangiocarcinoma and IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis as differential diagnoses; however, no pathologic diagnosis was obtained.

Alteration of Gene Expression After Entecavir and Pegylated Interferon Therapy in HBV-Infected Chimeric Mouse Liver.

Cross-sectional analyses using liver tissue from chronic hepatitis B patients make it difficult to exclude the influence of host immune responses. In this study, we performed next-generation sequencing using the livers of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected uPA/SCID mice with humanized livers before and after antiviral therapy (AVT) with entecavir and pegylated interferon, and then performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of gene expression alteration. After HBV infection, the expression of genes involved in multiple pathways was significantly altered in the HBV-infected livers.

Fructose-bisphosphate Aldolase C Expression is Associated with Poor Prognosis and Stemness in Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Japan, underscoring the urgent need for deeper insights into its pathogenesis. Spheroids provide a more realistic and versatile model for studying cancers and cancer stem cells (CSCs). While fructose-bisphosphate aldolase C (ALDOC) has been identified in colorectal cancer spheroids, its role in GC has remained largely unexplored.

Comparative prediction of lymph node metastasis in pT1 colorectal cancer among Western and Japanese guidelines.

Background: Additional surgery with lymph node (LN) dissection is recommended for pT1 colorectal carcinoma (CRC) resected by endoscopy, based on pathological risk factors for LN metastasis (LNM), according to guidelines by the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum (JSCCR), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 560 consecutive patients with T1 CRC who underwent endoscopic resection alone (n=190) or initial or additional surgery with LN dissection (n=370) between 1992 and 2017 at Hiroshima University Hospital. Patients were classified into LNM low- and high-risk groups according to guidelines by the JSCCR, NCCN, and ESMO as follows.