Minimal Endoscopic Sphincterotomy with Papillary Balloon Dilation Using a Novel Non-slip Balloon Catheter for the Treatment of Common Bile Duct Stones: A Prospective Pilot Study.

Background: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) with minimal incision followed by balloon dilation (ESBD) is a promising hybrid technique for the treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, balloon slippage during dilation can occur easily following ES due to partially opened papillae. This study aimed to examine the clinical utility of ESBD using a novel non-slip balloon catheter.

Feasibility of a Novel Nonslip Short-Length Balloon Catheter for Endoscopic Papillary Balloon Dilation in Balloon Enteroscopy-Assisted ERCP: A Prospective Pilot Study (With Video).

Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) is an essential procedure, especially in balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BE-ERCP). However, the balloon often slips during the inflation process, and its length is often an impediment if the distance between the papilla and scope is limited or if stones are located close to the papilla. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the feasibility of a novel nonslip, short-length balloon catheter for EPBD in BE-ERCP.

Molecular mechanisms of hepatitis B virus entry inhibition by a bile acid derivative INT-767 binding to the preS1 region.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide, necessitating the development of novel antiviral agents targeting various steps in the HBV life cycle. The HBV preS1 region mediates critical steps in viral entry, including binding to sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), making it a potential target for anti-HBV drug development. Our previous study suggested that the bile acid derivative INT-767 preferentially attaches to preS1 rather than to NTCP on hepatocytes, indicating that HBV infection is inhibited by INT-767 binding to an important domain of preS1.

Fistula dilation-free EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy using tubular dumbbell-shaped metal stent versus ERCP in first-line drainage for malignant distal biliary obstruction (with video).

Background And Aims: EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) is a potential first-line drainage method for unresectable malignant distal biliary obstruction (UMDBO). However, lumen-apposing metal stents present difficulty in application for insufficient bile duct dilation, biliary wall compression, duodenobiliary reflux, and high cost. This study evaluated the utility of fistula dilation-free EUS-CDS with a tubular dumbbell-shaped metal stent (MS).

Efficacy of measuring natural killer-activating receptor ligands to predict the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Objective: The proportion of non-B/non-C hepatocellular carcinoma cases is increasing, and the principal cause is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The degree of intrahepatic natural killer (NK) cell infiltration has been reported to correlate with MASLD progression. However, reports on MASLD are limited.

Transanastomotic Forward-Viewing EUS-Guided Pancreatic Duct Drainage via Afferent Loop for Pancreaticojejunostomy Anastomotic Stricture After Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: Although balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP and transgastric EUS-guided pancreatic duct drainage (EUS-PD) are treatment option for pancreaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (PJAS), they are often challenging with several limitations. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of transanastomotic forward-viewing EUS-PD (FVEUS-PD) via the afferent loop for PJAS after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Methods: Ten consecutive patients with symptomatic PJAS who underwent FVEUS-PD between 2015 and 2021 were retrospectively evaluated.

Trisectoral Metal Stenting Using Combined Stent-by-Stent and Stent-in-Stent Method for Malignant Hilar Biliary Obstruction: A Prospective Pilot Study.

Background: Endoscopic trisectoral metal stent (MS) placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) poses technical challenges, although it may prolong survival and stent patency. Combined stent-by-stent and stent-in-stent (SBSIS) methods can reduce technical difficulty. This study aimed to examine the use of the SBSIS in patients with Bismuth type III or IV MHBO.

Prophylactic use of a self-assembling peptide hydrogel for preventing delayed bleeding after endoscopic sphincterotomy: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Background And Aim: Delayed endoscopic sphincterotomy-related bleeding (ES bleeding) is an unavoidable adverse event (AE) that can have serious ramifications. Intraoperative ES bleeding, which stops spontaneously in most cases, is a known risk factor for delayed bleeding. This study aimed to examine the preventive effect of a novel self-assembling peptide (SAP) for delayed ES bleeding in patients who attained spontaneous hemostasis after intraoperative ES bleeding.

Natural killer group 2D-major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide-related sequence A activation enhances natural killer cell-mediated immunity against hepatocellular carcinoma: A review.

The recent clinical introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has improved therapeutic outcomes in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, these therapies targeting CD8 T lymphocytes have a response rate of approximately 30%. In addition to CD8 T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells represent promising therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma, because they comprise 30%-50% of all lymphocytes in the liver and contribute to antitumor immunity.

Successful Identification of a Novel Therapeutic Compound for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Screening of ADAM9 Inhibitors.

Background/aim: MHC-class I-related chain A (MICA) functions as a ligand for natural killer group D, an activating receptor on natural killer (NK) cells, and its expression correlates with the carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although membranous MICA (mMICA) activates NK cells, soluble forms of MICA (sMICA), shed by cleaving enzymes, such as A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) 9, suppress NK cells. Therefore, the prevention of MICA shedding through the inhibition of ADAM9 has the potential to activate cancer immunity.

The immunological role of ADAMs in the field of gastroenterological chronic inflammatory diseases and cancers: a review.

Metalloproteinases cleave transmembrane proteins that play critical roles in inflammation and cancers. Metalloproteinases include a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM), which we previously examined using a fluorescence assay system, and described their association with resistance to systemic therapy in cancer patients. There are also many reports on the relation between ADAM expression and the prognosis of patients with gastroenterological chronic inflammatory diseases and cancers.

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Successfully Resumed Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab After Associated Grade 3 Diarrhea and Grade 2 Colitis: Case Report and Literature Review.

Systemic chemotherapy has shown a significant survival benefit in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is associated with various immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We report a case with grade 3 diarrhea and grade 2 colitis following systemic chemotherapy, successfully treated with prednisolone.

Pixel-density enhanced integral three-dimensional display with two-dimensional image synthesis.

Integral three-dimensional (3D) displays can display naturally viewable 3D images. However, displaying 3D images with high pixel density is difficult because the maximum pixel number is restricted by the number of lenses of a lens array. Therefore, we propose a method for increasing the maximum pixel density of 3D images by optically synthesizing the displayed images of an integral 3D display and high-definition two-dimensional display using a half mirror.

High-resolution 3D display using time-division light ray quadruplexing technology.

We propose a flicker-reduced time-division light ray quadruplexing technology to improve both the spatial and angular resolutions of three-dimensional (3D) images. The proposed method uses an image-shift optical device with polarization gratings. By optimizing the design of the image-shift optical device and incorporating it into the display system, we confirmed that the resolution characteristics of 3D images displayed at a depth of 30 mm or more can be improved by up to 1.

Baseline soluble MICA levels act as a predictive biomarker for the efficacy of regorafenib treatment in colorectal cancer.

Background: To evaluate the effect of regorafenib on soluble MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA) (sMICA) level in vitro. In addition, we clinically examined whether its plasma levels were associated with regorafenib activity in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with CRC.

Methods: Human CRC cell line HCT116 and HT29 cells were treated with regorafenib and its pharmacologically active metabolites, M2 or M5 at the same concentrations as those in sera of patients.

Muscular Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

There are few case reports of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis to the skeletal muscle. A 78-year-old man developed a mass in the right shoulder. Washout of contrast medium during contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in both the primary HCC and the metastatic site was detected.