Point cloud registration algorithm using liver vascular skeleton feature with computed tomography and ultrasonography image fusion.

Purpose: Radiofrequency ablation for liver cancer has advanced rapidly. For accurate ultrasound-guided soft-tissue puncture surgery, it is necessary to fuse intraoperative ultrasound images with preoperative computed tomography images. However, the conventional method is difficult to estimate and fuse images accurately.

MetALD Was a More Notable Independent Risk Factor for Reflux Esophagitis Than MASLD: A Multicenter Cohort Study Using Directed Acyclic Graphs.

Aim: Metabolic abnormalities are recognized as risk factors for reflux esophagitis. Recently, the definition of MASLD and MetALD has been proposed. However, the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on its development remains unclear.

Association of Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease With Clinical Outcomes of Durvalumab and Tremelimumab in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Multicenter Study.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the efficacy of durvalumab plus tremelimumab (Dur/Tre) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: A total of 239 patients with HCC who received Dur/Tre between March 2023 and October 2024 at multiple institutions in Japan were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into three groups based on underlying liver disease: viral-related HCC (n = 126), MASLD-related HCC (n = 30), and nonviral, non-MASLD HCC (n = 83).

Real-time 3D US-CT fusion-based semi-automatic puncture robot system: clinical evaluation.

Purpose: Conventional systems supporting percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) have faced difficulties in ensuring safe and accurate puncture due to issues inherent to the medical images used and organ displacement caused by patients' respiration. To address this problem, this study proposes a semi-automatic puncture robot system that integrates real-time ultrasound (US) images with computed tomography (CT) images. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the system's usefulness through a pilot clinical experiment involving participants.

Fatal portal vein thrombosis following combination therapy with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for hepatocellular carcinoma: an autopsy case report.

This case report describes a 77-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma who developed severe portal vein thrombosis after combination therapy with atezolizumab (ATZ) plus bevacizumab (BEV). Following treatment, he experienced abdominal distension and subsequent deterioration, leading to hospitalization. Despite intensive care, including anticoagulation therapy, the patient succumbed to multi-organ failure.

Tips for Hepatologist Referral of Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease with Alanine Aminotransferase Levels ≤ 30 U/L.

The possibility of progressive liver fibrosis remains even when alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are <30 IU/L. Therefore, we aimed to investigate factors that can predict fibrosis progression in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with ALT levels ≤ 30 U/L. This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected between December 1994 and December 2021.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance and Survival in a Contemporary Asia-Pacific Cohort.

Importance: The etiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are changing. It is unclear whether the benefit of surveillance for people with HCC remains consistent given the changing etiologies of the disease.

Objective: To evaluate the association of HCC surveillance with the survival rates of a large contemporary cohort of people with HCC.

A pre-post study of multidisciplinary ward-based conferences on nutrition care for hospital patients.

Background: Malnutrition is a significant concern among hospitalized patients, contributing to increased complication rates and prolonged hospital stays. To improve nutritional management, our institution implemented weekly multidisciplinary ward-based nutrition conferences involving physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and a dedicated dietitian. When necessary, a specialized nutritional support team (NST) provided additional interventions.

Prediction of Advanced Fibrosis in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease by Type IV Collagen 7S.

Background And Aims: Type IV collagen 7S (COL4-7S) is a simple, noninvasive biomarker for liver fibrosis. However, whether COL4-7S can detect advanced fibrosis (AF) and predict the prognosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is unclear. We examined the clinical efficacy of COL4-7S in diagnosing AF and determining MASLD prognosis.

Comparison Analysis of Lenvatinib Plus Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Versus Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab as First-Line Therapy for Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma Beyond the Up-to-Seven Criteria.

Background And Aim: This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects and safety of lenvatinib (LEN) plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (LEN-TACE) and atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) as the first-line therapies in patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the up-to-seven criteria.

Methods: We enrolled 768 patients with HCC treated with first-line systemic therapy, and 154 patients were enrolled and categorized into either the LEN-TACE therapy (n = 42) or Atez/Bev (n = 112) groups. After propensity score matching (PSM), 72 patients (LEN-TACE group, n = 36; Atez/Bev group, n = 36) were analyzed.

A novel approach to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of durvalumab and tremelimumab combination therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of durvalumab + tremelimumab (Dur + Tre) in real-world clinical practice, characterize "stable disease (SD)," and identify SD responders (SD-R) who benefit from Dur + Tre treatment.

Methods: This multicenter observational study included 212 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC) treated with Dur + Tre between March 2023 and November 2024. The patients were categorized into 95 first-line and 117 later-line cases, respectively.

Antitumor effects and immune-mediated adverse events of durvalumab plus tremelimumab treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: Durvalumab plus tremelimumab (Dur/Tre) is a first-line systemic treatment option for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, the management of severe immune-mediated adverse events (imAEs) is challenging. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between severe imAEs and antitumor responses in patients with uHCC treated with Dur/Tre.

Efficacy and safety of lenvatinib-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization sequential therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma within the up-to-seven criteria.

Aim: The efficacy of sequential therapy with lenvatinib and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (LEN-TACE) has been previously reported. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LEN-TACE compared with TACE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the up-to-seven criteria.

Methods: Between 2017 and 2024, 90 patients were enrolled and categorized into either LEN-TACE sequential therapy (n = 32) or TACE (n = 58).

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is a risk factor for gallstones: A multicenter cohort study.

Aim: Gallstone formation is associated with metabolic dysfunction. Recently, new definitions of steatotic liver disease (SLD) have been proposed, including metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD) and moderate alcohol intake (MetALD). We investigated the effects of MASLD/MetALD on gallstone formation.

Longitudinal Clinical Outcomes and Mortality from Steatotic Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The updated consensus introduces "steatotic liver disease" as an umbrella term for all patients with hepatic steatosis, with specific subtypes such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), MetALD (MASLD with moderate alcohol intake), and alcohol-associated liver disease. Understanding the characteristics and long-term outcomes of these subtypes is essential.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis examined studies published between January 2023 and August 2024 in MEDLINE and EMBASE on liver-related events, cardiovascular outcomes, and mortality across steatotic liver disease subtypes.

Mapping of rehabilitation interventions and assessment methods for patients with liver cirrhosis: a scoping review.

Background: This scoping review aimed to delineate the detailed components of exercise therapy and the evaluation methods used for patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: The methodology involved searching the original PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies published between January 1975 and March 2025. The search was completed on 13 March 2025.

Increase in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor After Cycling Exercise Resisting Electrically Stimulated Antagonist Muscle Contractions in Overweight Japanese People: A Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blind, Crossover Trial.

Background: A hybrid training system (HTS) combining antagonist muscle electrical stimulation and voluntary muscle contraction has been developed using electrically stimulated eccentric antagonist muscle contractions. The exercise method that combines a conventional cycle ergometer with HTS (HERG) adds additional exercise intensity to the conventional cycle ergometer through electrical stimulation. Exercise-induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production appears to have neuroprotective effects and contributes to improved metabolic regulation.

The Effect of MAFLD on Hepatocarcinogenesis in HBeAg-negative Patients with Undetectable HBV-DNA under NA Therapy: A Multicenter Study.

Objective The progression of liver fibrosis and a male sex are risk factors for hepatocarcinogenesis under nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a risk factor for hepatocarcinogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the factors involved in hepatocarcinogenesis during NAs therapy, including MAFLD.

An unusual case of polyp with multiple appears honeycomb-like depressions.

The patient is a 63-year-old woman. She underwent lower gastrointestinal endoscopy at her local doctor, and a serrated lesion with a honeycomb-like depression in the surface mucosa of the ascending colon measuring 35 mm in size was observed. The lesion was thought to be a sessile serrated lesion (SSL), but since there was a lot of mucus and it was difficult to observe the inside of the depression, SSL with dysplasia was also mentioned as a possible diagnosis.

Pathogenic Mechanisms of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The etiology of HCC has now dramatically changed from viral hepatitis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The main pathogenesis of MASLD-related HCC is the hepatic lipid accumulation of hepatocytes, which causes chronic inflammation and the subsequent progression of hepatic fibrosis.

Low HDL cholesterol levels in women and hypertriglyceridemia in men: predictors of MASLD onset in individuals without steatosis.

Background: Individuals with metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have a worse prognosis compared to patients without steatosis, and its prevalence is increasing. However, detailed risk factors based on obesity and sex remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the impact of cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) on the risk of MASLD in individuals without pre-existing SLD.

Utility of liver stiffness for the classification of portopulmonary hypertension in precapillary pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Invasive right heart catheterization plays a central role in identifying pulmonary hypertension (PH) disorders. However, non-invasive biomarkers of portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) are required. Liver stiffness evaluated by FibroScan® is useful for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases.

Current management and future perspectives of covert hepatic encephalopathy in Japan: a nationwide survey.

Background: Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) leads to devastating outcomes in patients with cirrhosis. This study aims to elucidate the current management and future perspectives of CHE in Japan.

Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians involved in managing cirrhosis in Japan.

The benefit of conversion therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab using newly established oncological resectability criteria in Japan.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the changes in oncological resection status in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC) receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) and the impact of conversion therapy following Atez/Bev treatment.

Methods: This cohort included 631 patients with u-HCC treated with Atez/Bev. Tumors were assessed using oncological resectability criteria and categorized as borderline resectable 1 (BR1, n=166) or borderline resectable 2 (BR2, n=465).