Modified BEST-J Score Model Predicts Bleeding after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection with Fewer Factors.

This study constructed a simplified post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) prediction model with a prognostic nutritional index (PNI). A total of 449 patients who underwent gastric ESD was included, divided with a ratio of 2:1, and assigned to the model or validation cohort. A prediction model of post-ESD (modified BEST-J score) was constructed using the model cohort.

Serum miR-379 expression is related to the development and progression of hypercholesterolemia in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a wide spectrum, eventually leading to cirrhosis and hepatic carcinogenesis. We previously reported that a series of microRNAs (miRNAs) mapped in the 14q32.2 maternally imprinted gene region (Dlk1-Dio3 mat) are related to NAFLD development and progression in a mouse model.

Gene Expression Analysis of the Activating Factor 3/Nuclear Protein 1 Axis in a Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Mouse Model.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) is a chronic liver disease related to metabolic syndrome that can progress to liver cirrhosis. The involvement of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in NAFLD progression and the roles played by activating factor 3 (ATF3) and the downstream nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the gene expression profiles around the ATF3/NUPR1 axis in relation to the development of NAFLD using novel mouse models.

Protective Effects of Ipragliflozin, a Sodium-glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor, on a Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Mouse Model.

Background: The options for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are limited. We examined the effects of ipragliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, on the fatty liver Shionogi (FLS)- mice, a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model.

Methods: FLS- male mice were treated with vehicle ( = 10) and ipragliflozin ( = 8).

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein predicts the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim: As it is not practical to perform regular screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in all patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), there is a need to identify NAFLD patients who are at high risk for HCC. Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein (WFA -M2BP) has been shown to be a surrogate marker for predicting HCC as well as a liver fibrosis marker in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. The aim of this study was to investigate whether WFA -M2BP predicts HCC development in NAFLD patients.

Two patterns of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid in spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: a report of four cases.

Spontaneous rupture is a life-threatening complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Detecting active bleeding is critical. Color Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Levovist are reported to be useful for detecting active bleeding.

[Compliance and problems with the surveillance program for HCC diagnosis].

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study for evaluating the background of and diagnostic opportunity for 651 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The etiologies were hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 20.0% of patients, hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 36.

Serum Procalcitonin in Patients with Acute Liver Failure.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a known diagnostic marker of bacterial infection. There are no previous reports of PCT concerning acute liver failure (ALF). We evaluated the clinical value of serum PCT levels in patients with ALF.

Falsely Elevated Serum Vitamin B Levels Were Associated with the Severity and Prognosis of Chronic Viral Liver Disease.

Background: Vitamin B is stored primarily in the liver, and highly elevated serum vitamin B levels occur in acute hepatitis and severe alcoholic liver disease. We evaluated the relationship between vitamin B levels and liver disease severity and long term prognosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Methods: We enrolled 90 patients (57 men, 33 women) with chronic viral hepatitis and cirrhosis who admitted to our hospital as a prospective cohort study.

Utility of virtual touch quantification in the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

This study aimed to compare the tissue stiffness of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with that of pancreatic parenchyma using virtual touch quantification (VTQ). SWV was measured in 34 PDAC lesions and in pancreatic parenchyma of both controls and patients. SWVs in PDAC lesions were significantly higher than in pancreatic parenchyma in both healthy controls and in patients with PDAC.

Antifibrotic effects of ambrisentan, an endothelin-A receptor antagonist, in a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model.

Aim: To examine the effects of the endothelin type A receptor antagonist ambrisentan on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in a steatohepatitis mouse model.

Methods: Fatty liver shionogi (FLS) FLS-ob/ob mice (male, 12 wk old) received ambrisentan (2.5 mg/kg orally per day; n = 8) or water as a control (n = 5) for 4 wk.

A Series of microRNA in the Chromosome 14q32.2 Maternally Imprinted Region Related to Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Mouse Model.

Background & Aims: Simple steatosis (SS) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are subtypes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the pathogenic differences between SS and NASH remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding, short RNAs that regulate gene expression. The aim of this study was to use animal models and human samples to examine the relationship between miRNA expression profiles and each type of NAFLD (SS and NASH).

Renal shear wave velocity by acoustic radiation force impulse did not reflect advanced renal impairment.

Aim: Acoustic radiation force impulse is a noninvasive method for evaluating tissue elasticity on ultrasound. Renal shear wave velocity measured by this technique has not been fully investigated in patients with renal disease. The aim of the present study was to compare renal shear wave velocity in end-stage renal disease patients and that in patients without chronic kidney disease and to investigate influencing factors.

Left Renal Cortical Thickness Measured by Ultrasound Can Predict Early Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Aims: The kidney becomes atrophic in advanced chronic kidney disease, and renal size and parenchymal volume correlate with renal function. However, alterations in renal parenchymal volume have not been adequately studied in terms of the renal cortex and medulla. We investigated the relationship between the changes in the renal cortex and medulla and renal function.

Therapeutic effects of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor, sitagliptin, on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in FLS-ob/ob male mice.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is characterized by hepatic fat accumulation, inflammation and varying degrees of fibrosis. The dipeptidyl peptidase‑IV enzyme is important in glucose metabolism, as well as lipid accumulation, extracellular matrix metabolism and immune stimulation. Furthermore, the enzyme activity of dipeptidyl peptidase‑IV is known to be increased in non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Clinical usefulness of the ablative margin assessed by magnetic resonance imaging with Gd-EOB-DTPA for radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of ablative margin (AM) grading by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with Gd-EOB-DTPA administered prior to radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and to identify factors for achieving a sufficient AM and predictors for local tumor progression.

Methods: A total of 124 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were treated by RFA after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration. MRI and enhanced CT were performed within seven hours and one month after RFA.

Rapid and early α-fetoprotein and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin responses to initial arterial infusion chemotherapy predict treatment outcomes of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

The aim of the present study was to predict the effects of transarterial infusion (TAI) chemotherapy based on early changes in α-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Seventy-four patients who underwent TAI with cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C and epirubicin for advanced HCC were enrolled. Antitumor responses were evaluated 6 months after TAI.

Tonometric biosensor with a differential pressure sensor for chemo-mechanical measurement of glucose.

A tonometric biosensor for glucose was constructed using a chemo-mechanical reaction unit and a differential pressure sensor. The reaction unit was fabricated by using both liquid and gas cells separated by an enzyme diaphragm membrane, in which glucose oxidase was immobilized onto the single (gas cell) side of the dialysis membrane. By applying glucose solution (0, 25.