Factors involved in gastroesophageal varix-related events in patients with hepatitis C virus-related compensated and decompensated cirrhosis after direct-acting antiviral therapy.

Aim: The incidence of and factors involved in gastroesophageal varix-related events in hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis patients, including decompensated cirrhosis, after direct-acting antiviral therapy are unclear.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter study using prospective data from 478 hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis patients treated with direct-acting antiviral therapy from February 2019 to December 2021 at 33 Japanese hospitals. Gastroesophageal varices were classified as F1 (small-caliber), F2 (moderately enlarged), or F3 (markedly enlarged) according to the Japanese criteria.

Regular protocol liver biopsy is useful to adjust immunosuppressant dose after adult liver transplantation.

Introduction: Adjusting immunosuppression to minimal levels post-adult liver transplantation (LT) is critical; however, graft rejection has been reported in LT recipients with normal liver function evaluated by liver biopsy (LBx). Continual protocol liver biopsy (PLB) is performed regularly in LT recipients with normal liver function in some centers; however, its usefulness remains inadequately evaluated. This study aimed to assess retrospectively the usefulness of late PLB after adult LT.

Liver-related events after direct-acting antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus-associated cirrhosis.

Background: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy enables a high rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with hepatitis C virus associated cirrhosis. However, the impact of DAA therapy on liver-related events in patients with cirrhosis is unclear.

Methods: A total of 350 patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis administered DAA therapy at 29 Japanese hospitals were enrolled (Child-Pugh class A [CP-A]: 195 patients, CP-B: 131 patients and CP-C: 24 patients).

Sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir treatment for hepatitis C virus in patients with decompensated cirrhosis: a Japanese real-world multicenter study.

Background: Real-world data on the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) treatment for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related decompensated cirrhosis are limited in Japan.

Methods: A total of 190 patients with compensated (108) or decompensated (82) cirrhosis who initiated direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment between February 2019 and August 2019 were enrolled. Sustained virologic response (SVR) was defined as undetectable serum HCV-RNA at 12 weeks after the end of treatment (EOT).

Involvement of SNARE Protein Interaction for Non-classical Release of DAMPs/Alarmins Proteins, Prothymosin Alpha and S100A13.

Prothymosin alpha (ProTα) is involved in multiple cellular processes. Upon serum-free stress, ProTα lacking a signal peptide sequence is non-classically released from C6 glioma cells as a complex with Ca-binding cargo protein S100A13. Thus, ProTα and S100A13 are conceived to be members of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)/alarmins.

Influence of Interferon-free Direct-acting Antiviral Therapy on Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence: A Landmark Time Analysis and Time-dependent Extended Cox Proportional Hazards Model Analysis.

Objective The influence of interferon (IFN)-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence remains unclear. Previous retrospective analyses revealed that the time interval between HCC curative treatment and IFN-free DAA induction is the critical factor affecting HCC recurrence. Thus, this study aimed to examine the influence of DAA therapy on HCC recurrence considering this interval.

Experimental evidence for the involvement of F/F ATPase and subsequent P2Y receptor activation in prothymosin alpha-induced protection of retinal ischemic damage.

The inhibition of retinal ischemia-induced damage by post-ischemic prothymosin alpha (ProTα) was not affected in toll-like receptor 4 knockout (TLR4) mice but blocked by the pretreatment with antibody against F/F ATPase α- or β-subunit, novel candidate for ProTα-receptor. In addition to the previous observation of ProTα-induced ATP release from cells, the present study showed a ProTα-induced enhancement of ATP hydrolysis activity of recombinant ATP5A1/5B complex. As the protection of retinal function by post-ischemic ProTα was abolished by anti-P2Y antibody, the activation of F/F ATPase and subsequent P2Y receptor system may play roles in beneficial actions by post-ischemic ProTα.

A nationwide survey on non-B, non-C hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan: 2011-2015 update.

Background: We previously reported that the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with non-viral etiologies increased rapidly between 1991 and 2010 in Japan.

Methods: To update this investigation, we enrolled patients who were initially diagnosed as having non-B, non-C HCC at participating hospitals between 2011 and 2015. In addition to the patient characteristics investigated in the previous report, we also investigated the duration of alcohol consumption.

Utilization and efficacy of elbasvir/grazoprevir for treating hepatitis C virus infection after liver transplantation.

Aim: Recently, elbasvir/grazoprevir combination therapy (EBR/GZR) was reported to have excellent antiviral effects for chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, it has not been recommended for patients with post-liver transplant (LT) HCV re-infections because of a lack of evidence for effectiveness and drug-drug interactions.

Methods: We report the usage of EBR/GZR in five post-LT HCV re-infected patients with the kinetics of renal function and tacrolimus trough levels during and after therapy.

Development of Duodenal Ulcers due to the Discontinuation of Proton Pump Inhibitors After the Induction of Sofosbuvir Plus Ledipasvir Therapy: A Report of Two Cases.

Sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir (SOF-LDV) combination therapy is a promising therapy for post-transplant hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection. It is known that gastric pH elevation induces lower absorption of ledipasvir; therefore, the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) should be considered regarding dose reduction after SOF-LDV therapy induction. Here, we report two patients who developed duodenal ulcers due to the discontinuation of PPIs after the induction of SOF-LDV therapy for post-transplant HCV reinfection.

The compensatory responses to upper airway obstruction in normal subjects under propofol anesthesia.

Upper airway obstruction during sleep can trigger compensatory neuromuscular responses and/or prolong inspiration in order to maintain adequate minute ventilation. The aim of this study was to investigate the strength of these compensatory responses during upper airway obstruction during propofol anesthesia. We assessed respiratory timing and upper airway responses to decreases in nasal pressure in nine propofol anesthetized normal subjects under condition of decreased (passive) and increased (active) neuromuscular activity.