Serum level of free fatty acids is associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia in cirrhotic patients with HCV infection: a pilot study.

Background/aims: Nocturnal hypoglycemia is an aggravating factor for liver cirrhosis. However, in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, a clinical parameter associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate a clinical parameter associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related compensated liver cirrhosis.

Initial experience with a new peroral electronic pancreatoscope with an accessory channel.

Background: A peroral electronic pancreatoscope was previously developed to improve visualization of the pancreatic duct, but this instrument had no accessory channel.

Methods: A new peroral electronic pancreatoscope (2.6-mm external diameter) with an accessory channel (0.

A polymorphism of interferon-gamma gene associated with changes of anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies induced by antithyroid drug treatment for Graves' disease in Japanese patients.

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disorder with genetic predisposition. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an important mediator of inflammatory and immune responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the polymorphism of IFN-gamma gene is associated with the development of GD or with clinical course during the antithyroid drug therapy.

A case of pseudotumorous pancreatitis that presented unique pancreatoscopic findings with the peroral electronic pancreatoscope.

A 49-year-old man was admitted to Hospital of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine complaining of epigastralgia and jaundice. There was a tumor (approximately 30 mm) in the pancreatic head on ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a stenosis of the main pancreatic duct in the head of the pancreas.

Electronic pancreatoscopy for the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases.

Objectives: Diagnostic pancreatoscopy was performed in 56 patients using the newly developed peroral electronic pancreatoscope (PEPS). The diagnostic value of the PEPS for pancreatic diseases was evaluated.

Methods: The PEPS (external diameter = 2.

A synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog, alprostadil alfadex, relaxes sphincter of Oddi in humans.

It is well established that prostaglandins (PGs) exert potent pharmacological actions on vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle, although their effects on the sphincter of Oddi (SO) remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PGE1 on motility of the human SO. Twenty patients appearing for routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) examination were studied.