Esomeprazole inhibits liver inflammation and carcinogenesis by suppressing farnesoid X receptors and NF-κB signaling.

Background: The activity of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) hinders the function of proton pumps that generate stomach acid. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a transcriptional factor engaged in inflammation, immunity and the formation of cancer. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor that governs the metabolism of bile acids and the metabolic functioning of the liver.

Impact of Duodenal Papilla Morphology on the Success of Transpancreatic Precut Sphincterotomy.

: This study aimed to evaluate whether the morphology of the duodenal major papilla is linked to transpancreatic precut sphincterotomy (TPS) failure. : We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at our institution. The inclusion criteria involved patients with a naïve major duodenal papilla who required TPS due to difficult biliary cannulation.

Impact of baseline dietary quality on the efficacy of a dietitian-guided weight reduction program.

Aim: This pre-post intervention study aimed to assess the relationship between baseline dietary quality and the efficacy of a dietitian-guided weight reduction program, which has not been thoroughly documented to date.

Methods: Ninety-two consecutive obese or overweight patients visiting a tertiary center clinic for weight reduction were enrolled in this study. Participants received a dietitian-guided weight reduction education program aimed at reducing daily caloric intake by 500 kcal and improving adherence to the Mediterranean diet for 3 months.

The Clinical Significance of Pancreatic Steatosis in Pancreatic Cancer: A Hospital-Based Study.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide with a pressing need for early detection and intervention strategies. Emerging evidence has suggested a potential link between pancreas steatosis, characterized by excessive pancreatic fat accumulation, and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer development. This retrospective imaging study aims to elucidate the association between pancreatic steatosis and the subsequent development of pancreatic cancer.

Implications of Serum IgG4 Levels for Pancreatobiliary Disorders and Cancer.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated disorder presenting as mass-like lesions with obstructions. An elevated serum IgG4 level is identified in more than half of affected patients and is considered a diagnostic criterion. IgG4-RD is still easily misdiagnosed as neoplastic or infectious disease.

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Modulates the Interaction of miR-21 and Farnesoid X Receptor and NF-κB Signaling.

(1) Background: This study investigates the effects of Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on NF-κB signaling, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) singling, and microRNA-21 in HepG2 cells. (2) Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate hepatic inflammation. The investigation focused on the expression of NF-κB activation, which was analyzed using Western blot, confocal microscopy, and Electrophoretic Mobility-shift Assays (EMSA).

The Impact of Sequential Therapies after First-Line Systemic Therapies in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have greatly expanded recently, and current first-line therapies include sorafenib, lenvatinib, and atezolizumab-bevacizumab. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of sequential systemic treatments after progressing to the first-line agent in patients with unresectable HCC. Data were collected from subjects with HCC, BCLC stage B or C, who received first-line sorafenib, lenvatinib, or atezolizumab-bevacizumab from September 2020 to December 2022.

Hepatitis Flares or Hepatic Decompensation after Discontinuation of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Entecavir in Non-Cirrhotic Hepatitis B e Antigen-Negative Patients.

Hepatic events can occur after discontinuing antiviral therapy. We investigated factors associated with hepatitis flares and hepatic decompensation after discontinuing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir (ETV). Hepatitis flares within 6 months and hepatic decompensation were compared between non-cirrhotic hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients after discontinuing TDF or ETV by using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Clinical values of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer subgroup and up-to-7 criteria in intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a recommended treatment for patients with intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but with variable treatment outcomes.

Aim: To determine factors for predicting outcomes of TACE in patients with intermediate stage B HCC.

Methods: Patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B HCC who underwent TACE as the primary treatment were enrolled at Taichung Veterans General Hospital from January 2005 to December 2009.

Impact of eradication timing on the risk of thromboembolism events in patients with peptic ulcer disease: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of eradication on venous thromboembolism (VTE) events, and the differences between early and late treatment timing.

Design: A population-based cohort study.

Setting: Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.

Critically-Ill Patients with Biliary Obstruction and Cholangitis: Bedside Fluoroscopic-Free Endoscopic Drainage versus Percutaneous Drainage.

Unlabelled: Severe acute cholangitis is a life-threatening medical emergency. Endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is usually used for biliary decompression. However, it can be risky to transport a critical patient to the radiology unit.

Efficacy of Lenvatinib and Sorafenib in the Real-World First-Line Treatment of Advanced-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Taiwanese Population.

Aim: Currently, atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab is the standard first-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but lenvatinib or sorafenib are still recommended for these patients for some reasons. The aim of the study was to determine the outcomes of Taiwanese patients with advanced-stage HCC who received lenvatinib or sorafenib.

Methods: Data on patients with BCLC stage C HCC who were receiving lenvatinib or sorafenib as the first-line therapy from May 2018 to August 2020 was collected.

Isoamylamine Induces B16-F1 Melanoma Cell Autophagy by Upregulating the 5' Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Pathway.

Isoamylamine (IA) is an aliphatic monoamine molecule present in cheese, eggs, and wine. It belongs to the family of polyamines and also can be synthesized endogenously. It has been known that regulation of polyamines in cells is related to cell cycle and tumor formation.

Glucosamine Enhancement of BDNF Expression and Animal Cognitive Function.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important factor for memory consolidation and cognitive function. Protein kinase A (PKA) signaling interacts significantly with BDNF-provoked downstream signaling. Glucosamine (GLN), a common dietary supplement, has been demonstrated to perform a variety of beneficial physiological functions.

Therapeutic benefits of combined sorafenib for intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma unresponsive to transarterial chemoembolization in a Chinese population.

Objective: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the treatment modality for intermediate, or Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its beneficial effect on outcomes is still unsatisfactory. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of combined TACE and sorafenib for patients with intermediate HCC.

Methods: Patients with intermediate HCC who were receiving TACE alone (the monotherapy group), or combined TACE and sorafenib (the combined therapy group) from January 2013 to June 2018 were enrolled.

The therapeutic benefits of combined sorafenib and transarterial chemoembolization for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: Systemic therapy, such as sorafenib, has been used clinically to treat patients with advanced stage or Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system (BCLC) stage C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic benefit of combined sorafenib and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in this group of patients.

Methods: Data on patients with HCC at BCLC stage C from August 2012 to September 2017 were collected.

Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 rs3918242 Promoter Genotypes With Colorectal Cancer Risk.

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is responsible for modifying extracellular components and plays a crucial role in the metastatic behavior of cancer. This study aimed at examining the role of MMP-9 rs3918242 genotypes on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk.

Materials And Methods: A total of 362 CRC patients and 362 healthy subjects in Taiwan, were examined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology.

Sorafenib treatment on Chinese patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A study on prognostic factors of the viral and tumor status.

Sorafenib is of proven efficacy in treating patients of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our study was aimed to determine the factors influence the sorafenib efficacy.We evaluated data of HCC patients receiving sorafenib from June 2012 to October 2016.

Association of virological breakthrough and clinical outcomes in entecavir-treated HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: To evaluate virological breakthrough (VBT) and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving entecavir (ETV) treatment.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital and a total of 228 HBeAg-positive CHB patients treated with ETV for more than 48 weeks were enrolled. Clinical outcome measures included HBeAg seroclearance, maintained virological response and the development of HCC.

Specific adverse events predict survival rates in a Chinese population diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and treated with sorafenib.

Unlabelled: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis and a low chemotherapeutic efficiency except for when sorafenib is administered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events (AEs) of sorafenib therapy in a Chinese population diagnosed with HCC.

Method: Data for the subjects with HCC receiving sorafenib at Taichung Veterans General Hospital from June 2012 to October 2016 were evaluated.

Ectopic papilla of Vater in duodenum bulb: A hospital-based study.

The major papilla of Vater can be ectopically present in the stomach, pyloric canal, duodenal bulb, and third or fourth portion of the duodenum. In this study, we determined the clinical significance of ectopic papilla of Vater by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP).A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 6133 patients receiving ERCP from 1988 to 2011.