Hepatitis B core-related antigen dynamics and risk of subsequent clinical relapses after nucleos(t)ide analog cessation.

Background/aims: Finite nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy has been proposed as an alternative treatment strategy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but biomarkers for post-treatment monitoring are limited. We investigated whether measuring hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) after NA cessation may stratify the risk of subsequent clinical relapse (CR).

Methods: This retrospective multicenter analysis enrolled adults with CHB who were prospectively monitored after discontinuing entecavir or tenofovir with negative HBeAg and undetectable HBV DNA at the end of treatment (EOT).

Clinical and contrast-enhanced image features in the prediction model for the detection of small hepatocellular carcinomas.

: To identify novel radiological features and clinical characteristics to improve diagnostic criteria for early detection of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). : We retrospectively recruited asymptomatic patients with no history of HCC but a high risk of HCC in whom a new, solitary, well-defined, solid nodule between 10 and 20 mm was detected through a screening ultrasound. We retrospectively collected all clinical data, and patients were examined using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging; subsequently, fine-needle biopsy was performed.

Combining hepatitis B core-related and surface antigens at end of nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment to predict off-therapy relapse risk.

Background: There remains an unmet need for convenient biomarkers to assess the risks of discontinuing nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Aim: To investigate if hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is an independent of surface antigen (HBsAg) for risk prediction of NA cessation.

Methods: This prospective multicentre study enrolled 135 CHB patients who stopped entecavir or tenofovir after achieving viral remission for a median of 25.

Time-varying serum gradient of hepatitis B surface antigen predicts risk of relapses after off-NA therapy.

Background: The serum gradient of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) varies over time after cessation of nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The association between the time-varying HBsAg serum gradient and risk of relapse has not been elucidated.

Methods: This multicenter cohort study prospectively enrolled CHB patients who discontinued 3 year-NA treatment.

Serum viral load at the virological relapse predicts subsequent clinical flares in chronic hepatitis B patients off entecavir therapy.

Background And Aim: Therapeutic duration of nucleos(t)ide analogues for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is not indefinite in many parts of the world. Viral reactivation is common off therapy, but the risk of subsequent clinical outcome remains unclear and unpredictable. We aimed to quantify the incidence of and explore the predictors for clinical flare following virological relapse in CHB patients who discontinue entecavir therapy.

Association Between Serum Level of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen at End of Entecavir Therapy and Risk of Relapse in E Antigen-Negative Patients.

Background & Aims: This study investigated whether serum level of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at the end of entecavir treatment was associated with risk of relapse.

Methods: We performed a prospective multicenter study of 161 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B in whom the hepatitis B virus was no longer detected after 3 years or more of entecavir therapy. Treatment ended between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2015.

Can clinical features stratify use of endoscopy for dyspeptic patients with high background prevalence of upper gastrointestinal cancer?

Background: Whether clinical features can stratify priority of endoscopy remains controversial for dyspeptic patients with high background prevalence of upper gastrointestinal cancer.

Aim: To examine the predictive performance of clinical features for cancerous lesions in dyspeptic patients in Taiwan.

Methods: Between April 2008 and July 2009, 2530 consecutive dyspeptic outpatients underwent prospective evaluation with standardized questionnaire and then upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

A case of phlebosclerotic colitis with involvement of the entire colon.

Phlebosclerotic colitis is a rare type of ischemic colitis caused by obstruction of the veins in the intestinal wall and adjacent mesentery, and is most commonly seen in the ascending colon. We report a 56-year-old woman presenting with intermittent abdominal pain and diarrhea for three years. She had a liver abscess and two episodes of pancreatitis during this time and experienced progressive body weight loss.

Proton pump inhibitor versus prokinetic therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia: is therapeutic response predicted by Rome III subgroups?

Background: The comparative effectiveness of proton pump inhibitor versus prokinetic therapy in relieving the symptoms of patients with functional dyspepsia remains unknown. Whether the Rome III subgroups predict therapeutic response has not been investigated.

Methods: This was an open-label, parallel randomized controlled trial.

Mosapride as an adjunct to lansoprazole for symptom relief of reflux oesophagitis.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT Reflux oesophagitis is a common clinical disorder associated with significant morbidity. Proton pump inhibitors are the current pharmacotherapy of choice, but not all treated patients achieve symptom relief. Little is known about the efficacy of mosapride, a prokinetic agent which decreases episodes of gastro-oesophageal reflux, as an adjunct to proton pump inhibitors in improving the symptoms of reflux oesophagitis.

A randomized controlled trial comparing two different dosages of infusional pantoprazole in peptic ulcer bleeding.

Aim: The optimal dosage of proton pump inhibitor in bleeding peptic ulcers remains controversial. The aim was to compare the clinical effectiveness of two doses of infusional pantoprazole in peptic ulcer bleeding.

Methods: Peptic ulcer patients (n= 120) with bleeding stigmata were enrolled after successful endoscopic therapy.

Psychopathology and personality trait in subgroups of functional dyspepsia based on Rome III criteria.

Objectives: Functional dyspepsia is a heterogeneous symptom complex that may be subdivided into postprandial distress syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome. We aimed to investigate differences among these subgroups in psychopathological factors and personality traits.

Methods: We enrolled 187 consecutive outpatients (72.

Endoscopic hemostasis of a bleeding marginal ulcer: hemoclipping or dual therapy with epinephrine injection and heater probe thermocoagulation.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic hemoclipping and dual therapy with epinephrine injection and heater probe thermocoagulation have been proven effective in the hemostasis of bleeding peptic ulcers. However, the hemostatic efficacy has not been investigated in bleeding marginal ulcers. The aim of this study is to investigate the hemostatic efficacy of endoscopic hemoclipping and dual therapy with epinephrine injection and heater probe thermocoagulation in bleeding marginal ulcers.

Synchronous triple cancers at middle and lower esophagus and stomach with different histological features and genetic alterations.

Synchronous multiple primary malignancies are relatively unusual. We describe a case of synchronous triple cancers located at the middle and lower esophagus and the stomach in a 59-year-old Taiwanese man who presented with progressive dysphagia, epigastralgia, and bodyweight loss in 1 month. Endoscopic and histological features, microsatellite instability status of genomic DNA, and immunohistochemical staining of p53, MUC2, Fhit, c-erbB-2 and E-cadherin of all three cancers were demonstrated.