Using air cholangiography to reduce postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cholangitis in patients with malignant hilar obstruction.

Background: Cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a major problem for patients with hilar biliary obstruction. To date, it remains unclear whether air-contrast cholangiography (ACC) can reduce cholangitis in these patients. For this reason, our study assesses the efficacy of reducing cholangitis through ACC. Methods: This paper presents a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary university hospital. We enrolled patients who were diagnosed with hilar structures and underwent ERCP between January 2012 and December 2018. From 2015 onwards, ACC was performed following the successful selective cannulation into the dilated intrahepatic bile duct of these patients. The primary aim was to assess patients with cholangitis in both an ACC group and iodine contrast cholangiography (ICC) group. Results: This study included 80 patients, 35 of whom received ACC and 45 who received ICC. There were no differences between the 2 groups in terms of the number of patients who underwent endoscopic papillotomy, endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, endoscopic biliary stent placement, or other technical procedures or complications. A total of 19 patients (23.8%) presented with fever (cholangitis) after the ERCP procedure (4 ACC, 15 ICC; 11.4% vs. 33.3%, respectively; P=0.03). One patient in the ICC group who obtained a plastic stent for palliative drainage died 2 weeks post-ERCP. Among the other 18 cholangitis patients, 8 (1 ACC, 7 ICC) were treated with additional ERCP or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), while the remaining 10 only received antibiotics. One patient in the ICC group who obtained a plastic stent for palliative drainage died 2 weeks post-ERCP. Conclusions: We found that ACC significantly reduced the incidence of cholangitis in patients with hilar obstruction.

miRNA-10a-5p inhibits cell metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma via targeting SKA1.

A variety of microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of miR-10a-5p in the progression of HCC remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the role of miR-10a-5p in the development of HCC and the possible molecular mechanism. miR-10a-5p expression in HCC tissues and plasma from patients was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Migratory changes in HCC cells were detected after the overexpression of miR-10a-5p. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins were detected by Western blot. Finally, through luciferase assay and rescue experiments, the mechanism by which miR-10a-5p regulates its downstream gene, human spindle and kinetochore-associated complex subunit 1, SKA1 and the interaction between these molecules in the development of HCC were determined. The expression of miR-10a-5p was markedly downregulated in HCC tissues, cell lines, and plasma. The overexpression of miR-10a-5p significantly inhibited the migration, invasion, and EMT of HCC cells. Furthermore, SKA1 was shown to be a downstream gene of miR-10a-5p. SKA1 silencing had the same effect as miR-10a-5p overexpression in HCC. In particular, the overexpression of SKA1 reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-10a-5p in HCC. Taken together, low miR-10a-5p expression is associated with HCC progression. miR-10a-5p inhibits the malignant development of HCC by negatively regulating SKA1.

Comparative evaluation of two laparoscopic procedures for treating common bile duct stones.

Cholesystolithiasis is often associated with common bile duct stones (CBDS). In order to assess the choice of surgery in terms of effectiveness and complications in the treatment of CBDS, we have compared three surgical procedures, viz., laparoscopic choledocholithotomy T-tube drainage (LCH-TD), laparoscopic cholecystectomy with endoscopic sphincterotomy (LC-EST), and the traditional open choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage (OCHTD). This study is a retrospective comparative analysis of LCH-TD (77 patients), LC-EST (43 patients), and OCHTD (60 patients) for CBDS. The success of the surgical procedures was assessed in terms of recovery duration, hospitalization, and post-operative complications. Both the micro-invasive procedures, LCH-TD and LC-EST, with a success rate of 92.5%, are found to be superior to the traditional OCHTD. Between the two micro-invasive procedures, patients in LCH-TD group had shorter operation time and hospital stay, and fewer post-operative complications. Although the size of the stones is comparable between these two groups, the CBD diameter was significantly larger in patients who underwent LCH-TD. In comparison to OCHTD, both LCH-TD and LC-EST are micro-invasive, safe, and suitable for routine use in patients with CBDS. Moreover, when the CBD diameter is wider than 1 cm, LCH-TD is strongly advocated.