Association between steatohepatitis biomarkers and hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatitis C elimination.

Background: A strong association between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and hepatic steatosis has been reported. However, the influence of steatohepatitis on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination remains unclear.

Aim: To evaluate the development of HCC after HCV cure using a new steatohepatitis-related biomarker.

Toxocariasis Suspected of Having Infiltrated Directly from the Liver to the Lung through the Diaphragm.

A 37-year-old woman presented to our hospital with mild abdominal pain experienced for 2 months and hepatic nodules in segments 3 and 8. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was observed, and toxocariasis was serologically diagnosed. Seventeen days after the first imaging evaluation, a new lesion was found in segment 9 of the right lung, which was contiguous through the diaphragm to the hepatic nodule in segment 8.

Secondary Syphilis with Pulmonary Involvement.

A 39-year-old Japanese man presented to our hospital complaining of left chest pain and rash on the hands and feet. Plain thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple nodular shadows in the left lower lobe of the lung. A diagnosis of secondary syphilis was made based on the appearance of the rash and positive serologic tests for syphilis.

Potential risk of HBV reactivation in patients with resolved HBV infection undergoing direct-acting antiviral treatment for HCV.

Background & Aims: Despite a known risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation during direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-HBV coinfection, it remains unclear whether patients with past HBV infection are at risk for reactivation. This study evaluated the risk of HBV reactivation during treatment with sofosbuvir (SOF)-based regimens, focusing on patients with resolved HBV infection.

Methods: This study analyzes the data of 183 consecutive patients treated with SOF-based regimens.

The relation of postprandial plasma glucose and serum endostatin to the urinary albumin excretion of residents with prediabetes: results from the Kyushu and Okinawa Population Study (KOPS).

Background: Previous clinical studies have shown that the circulating level of endostatin is related to kidney injury. We hypothesized that the impact of HbA1c, fasting, and postprandial plasma glucose on urinary albumin excretion would be related to the serum endostatin level.

Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based population study of 1057 Japanese residents was conducted.

Influence of insulin resistance on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma after antiviral treatment for non-cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Insulin resistance is considered to be an important factor in the progression of fibrosis and the enhancement of the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for chronic hepatitis C patients. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of insulin resistance on the development of HCC by non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2b (PEG-IFNα2b) and ribavirin.

Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 474 Japanese non-cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Impact of HCV kinetics on treatment outcome differs by the type of real-time HCV assay in NS3/4A protease inhibitor-based triple therapy.

Repeated measurement of the HCV RNA level is essential for properly monitoring treatment efficacy. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of two HCV real-time assays in the evaluation of the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) kinetics on the outcome of triple therapy with NS3/4A protease inhibitors (PIs), telaprevir or simeprevir. This study consisted of 171 Japanese patients infected with HCV genotype 1.

Glycated albumin as a diagnostic tool for diabetes in a general Japanese population.

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of cardiovascular, kidney, neurologic, and eye diseases, and may be preventable in some cases by lifestyle modification. Screening tests for diabetes mellitus include fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Our objective was to evaluate the utility of plasma glycated albumin (GA) in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

Predictors of kidney tubular dysfunction induced by adefovir treatment for chronic hepatitis B.

Aim: To investigate the predictors of proximal kidney tubular dysfunction (PKTD) induced by adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment for chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: Seventy-nine patients (age at the evaluation of PKTD: 56.9±10.

Non-invasive fibrosis assessment predicts sustained virological response to telaprevir with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Liver fibrosis remains one of the most important predictors of sustained virological response (SVR) in this era of direct-acting antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C. We compare non-invasive fibrosis assessment with liver biopsy (METAVIR) in terms of their ability to predict SVR by telaprevir (TVR)-based triple therapy.

Methods: This prospective study consisted of 108 patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection who received TVR in combination with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α2b and ribavirin (RBV).

The utility of urinary myo-inositol as a marker of glucose intolerance.

Objective: The most common screening tests for glucose intolerance are fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Because it reflects the current status of hyperglycemia, urinary myo-inositol (UMI) may be useful. We evaluated UMI as a screening tool for glucose intolerance.

Serum cholesterol and triglyceride reference ranges of twenty lipoprotein subclasses for healthy Japanese men and women.

Aim: This epidemiological study was done to generate normal ranges for the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum lipoprotein subclasses isolated from healthy adults based on gender and menopausal status.

Methods: Cholesterol and triglyceride levels in 20 lipoprotein subclasses as separated by high performance liquid chromatography were measured in serum obtained from 825 fasting healthy subjects (267 men, 558 women).

Results: For serum cholesterol, 13.

A population-based epidemiological survey of human parvovirus B19 infection: a project of the Kyushu and Okinawa Population Study (KOPS).

Human parvovirus B19 infection occurs by droplet nuclei through the respiratory tract and causes a wide range of diseases. It can be transmitted through blood transfusion from asymptomatic blood donors. This study was done to investigate the parvovirus B19 infection rate of a group of healthy Japanese residents.

The serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin level and the diet of a Japanese population: results from the Kyushu and Okinawa Population Study (KOPS).

The elevated serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) level is related to osteoporosis. In Japan, vitamin K intake is lower, and the incidence of hip fractures noticeably higher in northern Kyushu than in other areas. The study was done to determine the serum ucOC levels in a Japanese population and its association with diet and glucose metabolism.

Raloxifene hydrochloride is an adjuvant antiviral treatment of postmenopausal women with chronic hepatitis C: a randomized trial.

Background & Aims: Early menopause in women with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a low likelihood of a sustained virological response (SVR) in conjunction with their antiviral treatment. This is potentially related to their reduced estrogen secretion. The study was done to determine whether selective estrogen receptor modulator administration might improve the efficacy of the current standard of care (SOC) treatment, pegylated interferon (PegIFN) α2a plus ribavirin (RBV), for postmenopausal women.

Insulin resistance undermines the advantages of IL28B polymorphism in the pegylated interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 1.

Background & Aims: Recent studies have suggested that insulin resistance exerts a strong influence on chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We analyzed pretreatment factors useful for predicting sustained virological response (SVR), especially interleukin (IL) 28B polymorphism and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).

Methods: This cohort study consisted of 328 chronic hepatitis C patients with HCV genotype 1 who were treated for 48 weeks with pegylated interferon (PegIFN) α-2b and ribavirin (RBV).

Association between chronic hepatitis C virus infection and high levels of circulating N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.

The association between HCV infection and myocardial disorders remains unclear. This study aimed to assess whether or not HCV infection influences myocardial dysfunction by the use of NT-proBNP, a sensitive marker of myocardial dysfunction. A total of 198 participants [99 patients with chronic HCV infection (aged 46-68 years) and 99 anti-HCV-negative sex and age matched controls] were examined.

Treatment for Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Infection among Chronic Hepatitis C Patients.

Background/aims: Helicobacter pylori infection causes gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric malignancies, and its eradication has been advocated by many groups. We determined the H. pylori carrier status and eradication rates of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Longitudinal assessment of liver stiffness by transient elastography for chronic hepatitis B patients treated with nucleoside analog.

Aim:   To evaluate the association between liver stiffness measured by transient elastography (FibroScan) and the efficacy of long-term nucleoside analog (NA) treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods:   Study 1: Forty-four chronic HBV patients had liver stiffness measured by FibroScan and underwent liver biopsy. Study 2: Group A: 22 patients started NA treatment at entry and FibroScan was done annually for 3 years.

Abbott RealTime PCR assay is useful for evaluating virological response to antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C.

This study was done to evaluate the utility of the Abbott RealTime PCR assay (ART) for the monitoring of chronic hepatitis C patients. The serum samples of 183 patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b who had completed a 48-week period of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alpha-2b plus ribavirin treatment were prospectively analyzed. Serum HCV RNA levels were measured both by ART and by the Roche COBAS Amplicor Monitor test, version2.

Ribavirin concentration in the later stages of 48 week pegylated interferon-alpha2b plus ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C is useful for predicting virological response.

Objectives: The current standard of care for chronic hepatitis C patients is a pegylated interferon-α plus ribavirin combination treatment. This study was carried out to determine the relationship between ribavirin concentration in the later stages of treatment and virological relapse.

Patients And Methods: Serum ribavirin concentration of 183 chronic hepatitis C patients (genotype 1) treated with pegylated interferon-α2b plus ribavirin for 48 weeks was prospectively measured by HPLC at weeks 4, 12, 24, 36 and 48.

QT dispersion correlates with systolic rather than diastolic parameters in patients receiving anthracycline treatment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of QT dispersion to left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients undergoing anthracycline therapy.

Methods: We used echocardiography to evaluate LV systolic and diastolic function and electrocardiography to evaluate QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion (QTcD) in patients with hematological diseases, who received anthracycline therapy.

Patients: Seventy-two patients with hematological diseases who were receiving anthracycline treatment were enrolled in the present study.

Activation of insulin receptors by lagerstroemin.

Lagerstroemin, an ellagitannin isolated from the leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. (Lythraceae), was examined for its biological activities.

Ellagitannins from Lagerstroemia speciosa as activators of glucose transport in fat cells.

Glucose transport enhancers were searched for in Lagerstroemia speciosa, a Philippine local herbal medicine used for diabetes mellitus. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the aqueous acetone extract of the leaves afforded three active ellagitannins, lagerstroemin, flosin B and reginin A, identified by NMR and optical rotation. These compounds increased glucose uptake of rat adipocytes, and could be responsible for lowering the blood glucose level.