Needle tract seeding after endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition of pancreatic tumors: A nationwide survey in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of pancreatic tumors. The present study aimed to investigate the current status of needle tract seeding (NTS) after EUS-TA of pancreatic tumors based on a nationwide survey in Japan. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical resection of primary pancreatic tumors after EUS-TA performed between April 2010 and March 2018 were surveyed. The incidence rates of NTS were determined, and compared in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) and other tumors, and in patients who underwent transgastric and transduodenal EUS-TA of PDACs. The detailed features and prognosis of patients with NTS were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 12,109 patients underwent surgical resection of primary pancreatic tumors after EUS-TA. The overall incidence rate of NTS was 0.330%, and the NTS rate was significantly higher in patients with PDAC than in those with other tumors (0.409% vs. 0.071%, P=0.004). NTS was observed in 0.857% of patients who underwent transgastric EUS-TA, but in none of those who underwent transduodenal EUS-TA. Of the patients with NTS of PDACs, the median time from EUS-TA to occurrence of NTS and median patient survival were 19.3 and 44.7 months, respectively, with 97.4% of NTS located in the gastric wall and 65.8% of NTS resected. The patient survival was significantly longer in patients who underwent NTS resection than in those without NTS resection (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: NTS appeared only after transgastric not after transduodenal EUS-TA. Careful follow-up provides an opportunity to remove localized NTS lesions by gastrectomy.

Short- and long-term outcomes after colonic self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant large-bowel obstruction as a bridge to surgery focus on the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach: a retrospective, single center study.

PURPOSE: Malignant large-bowel obstruction (MLBO) is a highly urgent condition in colorectal cancer with high complication rates. Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement in MLBO is a new decompression treatment in Japan. Preoperative stent placement (bridge to surgery: BTS) avoids emergency surgery, but oncological influences of stent placement and post-BTS surgical approach remain unclear. We examined short- and long-term results of surgery for MLBO after SEMS placement in our hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 75 patients with MLBO who underwent resection after SEMS placement at our hospital from June 2013 to December 2018. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were evaluated by comparison with the surgical approach. RESULTS: Tumor location was significantly higher in the left-side colon and rectum (n = 59, 78.7%) than right-side colon (n = 16, 21.3%). Technical and clinical success rates for SEMS placement were 97.3% and 96.0%, respectively. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 54 patients (69.0%), and one-stage anastomosis was performed in 73 (97.3%). Postoperative complications were similar in the open surgery (open) group (n = 5, 23.8%) and laparoscopic surgery (lap) group (n = 7, 13.0%), with no severe complications requiring reoperation. Three-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were not significantly different in the lap vs open group (67.5% vs 66.4%; 82.2% vs 62.5%). CONCLUSION: Preoperative stent treatment avoids stoma construction but allows anastomosis. One-time surgery was performed safely contributing to minimally invasive treatment and acceptable short- and long-term results.

GelPOINT single-port laparoscopy-assisted transanal minimum invasive surgery for low rectal cancer: a preliminary report on the use of the GOD VISION wireless smart glass-shaped monitor.

BACKGROUND: The GOD VISION wireless smart glass-shaped monitor (INBYTE) was used in the treatment of an elderly patient with mixed breathing disorder undergoing transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) for low rectal cancer under lumbar anesthesia. METHOD: After wearing the GOD VISION wireless smart glass-shaped monitor, we attached it to the Gel POINT Path® (Applied Medical). The tumor was surgically removed from all layers of the rectum using an ENDOPATH Electrosurgery PROBE PLUS II System® (a spatula-type electric scalpel) and the site was closed after sufficient washing. RESULTS: The total operation time was 93 min, and the estimated blood loss was 6 mL. The patient was discharged without complications on postoperative day 14. No local recurrence or distant metastasis in the 7 months after the operation. The patient remained in a good condition with the preservation of the anal function. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to accumulate cases and to perform long-term follow-up. In addition, the anal side operators are able to operate without discomfort. In the present case, the GOD VISION wireless smart glass-shaped monitor allowed the TAMIS operation to be performed more comfortably.

An endoscopic dilation method using the rendezvous approach for the treatment of severe anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer surgery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative anastomotic stenosis is a common complication in colorectal cancer patients (3-30%). Complete anastomotic stenosis is rare; however, when it occurs, almost all cases require surgical treatment. We herein report a case in which endoscopic dilation was effective for treating complete anastomotic stenosis after high anterior resection in a rectal cancer patient. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 67-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic high anterior resection for rectal cancer (RS, T4a, N0, M0, Stage IIB (TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors)) in May 2018. The postoperative course was good and the patient was discharged on the 12th postoperative day. Subsequently adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated with oral uracil and tegafur plus leucovorin (UFT/LV); however, he complained of frequent defecation and melena after completion of the first course of chemotherapy. Thus, colonoscopy was performed, which revealed anastomotic stenosis. Endoscopic dilation was initially attempted, but failed. Thus, low anterior resection was performed with diverting colostomy. Four additional courses of chemotherapy were administered for 1 month after surgery. At 6 months after the second surgery, colonoscopy was performed, and complete anastomotic stenosis was pointed out again. The patient was successfully treated by endoscopic dilation using the rendezvous method. After this treatment, the lumen of the anastomotic site was observed to have narrowed again and endoscopic dilatation to treat anastomotic stenosis was repeated. In addition, he received local injection of steroids in anastomotic stenosis site. The lumen of anastomotic stenosis remained after the local injection of steroids and closure of colostomy was performed 9 months after the second operation. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic dilation using the rendezvous method was effective for treating anastomotic stenosis after colorectal surgery.

Possible Relevance of PNPLA3 and TLL1 Gene Polymorphisms to the Efficacy of PEG-IFN Therapy for HBV-Infected Patients.

Lifestyle changes have led to an increase in the number of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the effects of NAFLD-associated single-nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) in HBV-infected patients have not been adequately investigated. Methods: We investigated the association of the NAFLD-related SNPs patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3; rs738409), transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2; rs58542926), 17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13; rs72613567, rs6834314 and rs62305723), membrane-bound O-acyltransferase domain containing 7 (MBOAT7; rs641738) and glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR; rs1260326) with the presence of histologically proven hepatic steatosis (HS) in HBV-infected patients (n = 224). We also investigated tolloid-like 1 (TLL1) SNP (rs17047200), which has been reported to be involved in the disease progression in Japanese NAFLD patients, and evaluated the association of HS and various SNPs with the treatment efficacy of pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) monotherapy following nucleotide/nucleoside (NA) treatment (NA/PEG-IFN sequential therapy; n = 64). Among NAFLD-associated SNPs evaluated, only the PNPLA3 SNP was significantly associated with the presence of hepatic steatosis in a total of 224 HBV-infected patients (P = 1.0×10-4). Regarding the sequential therapy, PNPLA3 SNP and TLL1 SNP were related to the treatment efficacy, and patients without minor alleles of these SNPs showed favorable results with a high virologic response and significant reduction in their HBsAg titer. A multivariate analysis showed that HBeAg positivity (odds ratio 5.810, p = 0.016) and the absence of a risk allele in PNPLA3 and TLL1 SNPs (odds ratio 8.664, p = 0.0042) were significantly associated with treatment efficacy. The PNPLA3 SNP might be associated with the presence of HS, and the combination of the PNPLA3 and TLL1 SNPs might be related to the efficacy of PEG-IFN monotherapy following NA treatment.

Close Correlation between Frailty and Depressive State in Chronic Liver Diseases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Few data with regard to the relevance between depression and frailty in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients are currently available. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between frailty and depression as evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory-2nd edition (BDI-II) in CLD patients (n = 340, median age = 65.0 years). METHODS: Frailty was defined as a clinical syndrome in which three or more of the following criteria were met: body weight loss, exhaustion, muscle weakness, slow walking speed and low physical activity. Depressive state was defined as BDI-II score 11 or greater. RESULTS: Robust (frailty score = zero), prefrail (frailty score = one or two) and frailty were identified in 114 (33.5%), 182 (53.5%) and 44 (12.9%). The median BDI-II score was five. Depressive state was identified in 84 patients (24.7%). The median BDI-II scores in patients with robust, prefrail and frail traits were 2, 7 and 12.5 (robust vs. prefrail, p < 0.0001; prefrail vs. robust, p = 0.0003; robust vs. frail, p < 0.0001; overall p < 0.0001). The proportions of depressive state in patients with robust, prefrail and frail traits were 3.51%, 30.77% and 54.55% (robust vs. prefrail, p < 0.0001; prefrail vs. robust, p = 0.0046; robust vs. frail, p < 0.0001; overall p < 0.0001). BDI-II score significantly correlated with frailty score (rs = 0.5855, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The close correlation between frailty and depression can be found in CLD. Preventing frailty in CLD should be approached both physiologically and psychologically.

Proposed model for the prediction of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA level in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

AIM: We sought to create a prediction model for intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (IH-cccDNA) level in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and to validate the model's predictive accuracy. METHODS: Patients who did not receive previous nucleoside analogue (NA) therapy were assigned to the training cohort (n = 57), and those who received previous NA therapy were assigned to the validation cohort (n = 69). Factors linked to IH-cccDNA levels in the training cohort were analyzed and a formula to predict IH-cccDNA levels was constructed. Next, the reproducibility of that formula was assessed. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis for the prediction of IH-cccDNA level in the training cohort, fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.0227), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (P = 0.0067) and log10 (HB surface antigen [HBsAg]) (P = 0.0497) were significant, whereas HB core-related antigen (HBcrAg) tended to be significant (P = 0.0562). The formula was constructed and named the FBS-cres score based on the variables used (FBS, HBcrAg, HBeAg, and HBsAg). The FBS-cres score was calculated as: 3.1686 - (0.0148 × FBS) + (0.1982 × HBcrAg) + (0.0008168 × HBeAg) + (0.1761 × log10 (HBsAg)). In the training cohort, a significant correlation was noted between HBcrAg and IH-cccDNA levels (P < 0.0001, r = 0.67), whereas the FBS-cres score was more closely correlated to IH-cccDNA level (P < 0.0001, r = 0.81). In the validation cohort, significant correlation was found between HBcrAg and IH-cccDNA levels (P = 0.0012, r = 0.38), whereas the FBS-cres score was more closely linked to IH-cccDNA levels (P < 0.0001, r = 0.51). Similar tendencies were observed in all subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: Our proposed model for the prediction of IH-cccDNA level could be helpful in CHB patients.

Liver fibrosis markers as assessed by ultrasound elastography and serum samples: A large comparative study in hepatitis virus B and C liver diseases.

AIM: We aimed to compare the well-established liver fibrosis (LF) markers in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB, n = 331) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC, n = 886) and to discuss possible causes of differences in results between CHB patients and CHC patients. METHODS: Virtual touch quantification (VTQ) in acoustic radiation force impulse, Fibrosis-4 (Fib-4) index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and hyaluronic acid (HA) were compared between the two cohorts. As an additional investigation, total collagen proportional area (TCPA, %) was tested using liver pathological samples (n = 83). RESULTS: Significant LF (F2 or greater) and advanced LF (F3 or greater) were identified in 153 (46.2%) and 76 (23.0%) patients in the CHB cohort and 579 (65.3%) and 396 (44.7%) patients in the CHC cohort. The median VTQ, Fib-4 index, APRI, and HA values in the CHB cohort were 1.20 m/s, 1.36, 0.44, and 25 ng/mL; those in the CHC cohort were 1.32 m/s, 2.60, 0.74, and 65.5 ng/mL (P-values, all <0.0001). Similar tendencies were noted by F stage-based stratification. The median TCPA in the CHB cohort and the CHC cohort were 8.5% and 12.7% (P < 0.0006). The TCPA values in the CHC cohort were higher than those in the CHB cohort regardless of LF stage. CONCLUSION: Values of LF markers in CHB patients can differ from those in CHC patients even in the same LF stage. Difference in total amount of collagen fiber in CHB and CHC appears to be linked to the difference.

Comparison of liver stiffness assessment by transient elastography and shear wave elastography using six ultrasound devices.

AIM: Transient elastography (TE) is the gold standard for measurement of liver stiffness. The usefulness of shear wave elastographies (SWE) is well accepted. However, the measurement values cannot be equivalently compared because cut-off values for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis are different among those devices. We aimed to clarify correlations, to generate the regression equations between TE and SWEs, and to compare the diagnostic ability of each device to diagnose liver fibrosis. METHODS: A total of 109 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent liver biopsy and same-day evaluation of liver stiffness using six ultrasound devices were analyzed. The diagnostic ability of liver stiffness from each ultrasound device and correlations between TE and each SWE were analyzed. RESULTS: Liver stiffness measured by all six ultrasound devices increased significantly as liver fibrosis stage advanced (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for predicting significant fibrosis (≥F2) and cirrhosis yielded area under the ROC curve (AUROC) values based on TE of 0.830 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.755-0.905) and 0.959 (95% CI, 0.924-0.995), respectively. The AUROCs for predicting significant fibrosis (≥F2) and cirrhosis (F4) based on SWE from all five ultrasound devices were over 0.8 and 0.9, respectively. Furthermore, the correlation coefficients between TE values and SWE values from five ultrasound devices were all over 0.8, indicating a strong relationship. CONCLUSION: Our study showed strong correlations between TE and SWEs with high correlation coefficients. The regression equations between TE and SWEs demonstrated the ability to compare the measurement values in each device equivalently.

Lobulated esophageal schwannoma resected with concurrent approach from the thorax and cervix.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal schwannomas are rare esophageal submucosal tumors. We herein report a case of a lobulated esophageal schwannoma resected with concurrent approach from the thorax and cervix. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old woman visited our hospital with complaint of loss of consciousness, and a lobulated mediastinal tumor was discovered by chance in computed tomography. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a smooth elevated lesion at a position of 23-28 cm from the incisor teeth. A hypermetabolic appearance was noted on positron emission tomography. Based on these data, a gastrointestinal stromal tumor was suspected. The tumor was enucleated at the thoracic cavity while being pushed from the cervical incision. Pathological examination showed an esophageal schwannoma. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced a case of lobulated esophageal schwannoma with fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation. We resected the tumor with concurrent approach from the thorax and cervix.

Incidence and treatment of metachronous gastric cancer after proximal gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Proximal gastrectomy (PG) is a widely accepted function-preserving surgical procedure; however, the incidence and treatment of metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) after PG have been the subject of a number of reports. METHODS: We collected data from 1576 consecutive patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer between January, 2003 and December, 2010, and analyzed the outcomes of 671 patients treated with PG or distal gastrectomy (DG) for cT1N0 disease. We also discuss the treatments for MGC. RESULTS: MGC was diagnosed within a median follow-up of 52.8 months after PG and DG in six (6.6%) and nine (1.8%) patients, respectively. The cumulative prevalence of MGC after PG was significantly higher than that after DG; P = 0.005. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed male sex and PG as significant risk factors for MGC (P = 0.014 and P = 0.026, respectively). Five of the six patients who underwent PG were treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of MGC after PG was significantly higher than that after DG. However, most of the MGCs that developed after PG could be treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Clinical implications of serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B.

AIM: To examine the relationship between serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+ -M2BP) levels and liver histological findings for patients with treatment naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: A total of 189 treatment naïve-CHB patients were analyzed. We examined the effect of pretreatment serum WFA+ -M2BP levels on histological findings compared with other laboratory markers, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index, Fibrosis-4 index, platelet count, AST to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, and hyaluronic acid as liver fibrosis markers, and AST value, ALT value, and serum interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 level as liver inflammation markers. RESULTS: The WFA+ -M2BP value ranged from 0.3 cut-off index (COI) to 12.9 COI (median value, 1.2 COI). The degree of liver fibrosis was significantly stratified according to WFA+ -M2BP level in each group except for groups F2 and F3 and the degree of liver inflammation activity was significantly stratified according to WFA+ -M2BP level in each group. For predicting F4, WFA+ -M2BP level yielded the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) with a level of 0.87 and for predicting advanced liver fibrosis (≥F3) and significant liver fibrosis (≥F2), WFA+ -M2BP level yielded the second highest AUROCs (both, 0.77) among six fibrotic markers. For predicting severe (A3) or significant liver inflammation activity (≥A2), AUROCs of WFA+ -M2BP level were 0.78 and 0.76. CONCLUSION: The WFA+ -M2BP level can be a useful marker for assessing liver histological findings in patients with treatment-naïve CHB, although it has several limitations.

Development of a simple predictive model for decreased skeletal muscle mass in patients with compensated chronic liver disease.

AIM: To develop and validate a simple predictive model using easily obtained clinical parameters to predict decreased skeletal muscle mass (DSMM) in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients (n = 652). METHODS: Study subjects were divided into a training set (n = 326) and a validation set (n = 326). Decreased skeletal muscle mass was diagnosed based on skeletal muscle mass index measured by bioimpedance analysis. Variables significantly associated with DSMM were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses in the training set and used to construct a predictive formula. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out and the predictive model was validated in the validation set. Subgroup analyses were undertaken based on gender, age, or cirrhosis status of patients. RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI), age, serum albumin, and branched-chain amino acid to tyrosine ratio (BTR) were determined to be significant predictive factors for DSMM. A composite formula "BALB score" was constructed [-7.740 + (0.539 × BMI) + (-0.112 × age) + (1.358 × albumin) + (-0.264 × BTR)]. The BALB score had the best predictive characteristics among all variables in both population sets (area under the ROC curve, 0.877-0.898). Patients with DSMM were stratified into three BALB score categories (>4, 0-4, and <0). Subgroup analyses also showed that BALB scoring was predictive of DSMM irrespective of gender, age, or cirrhosis status. The BALB score significantly correlated with psoas muscle index on computed tomography (rs = 0.6083 for men; rs = 0.6814 for women). CONCLUSION: The BALB scoring system based on routinely used clinical parameters offers a convenient and non-invasive method for predicting DSMM in compensated CLD patients with high accuracy.

Prognostic significance of low skeletal muscle mass compared with protein-energy malnutrition in liver cirrhosis.

AIMS: To investigate the impact of low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) on survival as compared with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). METHODS: A total of 206 individuals with LC were analyzed. We retrospectively examined the impact of LSMM, as defined by psoas muscle mass at the third lumber on computed tomography, on survival as compared with PEM. In terms of comparison of the effects of LSMM and PEM on survival, we used time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Our study cohort included 115 men and 91 women with a median age of 67 years. There were 140 patients with Child-Pugh A, 62 with Child-Pugh B, and 4 with Child-Pugh C. A total of 117 patients (56.8%) had LSMM and 52 patients (25.2%) had PEM. The proportion of PEM in patients with LSMM (31.62%, 37/117) was significantly higher than in patients without LSMM (16.85%, 15/89) (P = 0.0229). In the multivariate analysis for the entire cohort, the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma, lower body mass index, presence of LSMM, lower triglyceride value, poorer renal function, and higher des-γ-carboxy prothrombin value were found to be significant adverse predictors linked to overall survival, while presence of PEM tended to be significant. In the time-dependent ROC analysis, all area under the ROCs for survival in LSMM at each time point were higher than those in PEM except for Child-Pugh B patients. CONCLUSION: In this comparison of LSMM and PEM on clinical outcomes in LC patients, it was shown that LSMM may have stronger prognostic impact than PEM.

Proposal of a predictive model for advanced fibrosis containing Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein in chronic hepatitis C.

AIM: We aimed to construct a predictive model for advanced fibrosis containing Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+ -M2BP) level in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and to validate its accuracy in an independent cohort. METHODS: A total of 386 patients with CHC were retrospectively analyzed. For the purpose of this study, we formed a training set (n = 210) and a validation set (n = 176). In the training set, we investigated variables linked to the presence of advanced fibrosis using univariate and multivariate analyses. We constructed a formula for predicting advanced fibrosis and validated its accuracy in the validation cohort. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was carried out for calculating the area under the ROC (AUROC). RESULTS: In multivariate analyses, WFA+ -M2BP (P = 0.029) and prothrombin time (PT) (P = 0.018) were found to be significant predictive factors linked to the presence of advanced fibrosis; platelet count (P = 0.098) and hyaluronic acid (P = 0.078) showed borderline statistical significance for the presence of advanced fibrosis. Using these four variables (with the initials MPPH), we constructed the following formula: MPPH score = -3.584 - (0.275 × WFA+ -M2BP) + (0.068 × platelet count) + (0.042 × PT) - (0.005 × hyaluronic acid). In the training and validation sets, MPPH score yielded the highest AUROCs (0.87 and 0.83) for predicting advanced fibrosis among eight serum liver fibrosis markers. Similarly, in the training and validation sets, MPPH score had the highest diagnostic accuracies for predicting advanced fibrosis among eight serum variables (81.4% and 74.4%). CONCLUSION: Our proposed MPPH scoring system can be useful for predicting advanced fibrosis in patients with CHC.

Impact of serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein and serum interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 in primary biliary cirrhosis.

AIM: We aimed to examine the relationship between serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA(+) -M2BP) levels and serum interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) levels and liver histological findings for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) compared with other laboratory fibrotic or inflammatory parameters. METHODS: A total of 57 PBC patients were analyzed. Receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis was performed for calculating the area under the ROC (AUROC) for WFA(+) -M2BP, IP-10 and four serum fibrosis markers for the presence of liver cirrhosis (F4) or advanced fibrosis (F3 or F4). Similarly, ROC analysis of WFA(+) -M2BP, IP-10, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase for the presence of severe inflammation activity (A3) was performed. RESULTS: There were eight men and 49 women (median age, 59 years). As for histological findings, F4 was observed in five patients, F3 in 11, F2 in 17, F1 in 24 and F0 in zero, whereas A3 was observed in seven patients, A2 in 27, A1 in 19 and A0 in four. The WFA(+) -M2BP levels ranged from 0.5 cut-off index (COI) to 13.6 COI (median, 1.8), while serum IP-10 levels ranged 121.9-1835.9 pg/mL (median, 571.5). For predicting liver cirrhosis, WFA(+) -M2BP yielded the highest AUROC (0.97, P < 0.01). For predicting severe liver inflammation activity (A3), WFA(+) -M2BP and serum IP-10 yielded the highest AUROC with a level of 0.87. WFA(+) -M2BP levels significantly correlated with serum IP-10 levels (rs = 0.55, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Serum WFA(+) -M2BP and serum IP-10 can be useful markers for predicting histological findings in PBC patients.

Clinical significance of serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein level and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration in autoimmune hepatitis.

AIM: We aimed to examine the relationship between the Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA(+) -M2BP) level and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hCRP) concentration and liver histological findings for patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). METHODS: A total of 84 AIH patients (median age, 64 years) were analyzed. We examined the effect of pretreatment WFA(+) -M2BP level and hCRP concentration on histological findings of liver fibrosis and liver inflammation activity comparing with other laboratory markers. Receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis was performed for calculating the area under the ROC (AUROC). RESULTS: The median WFA(+) -M2BP values in each fibrosis stage were: 1.5 cut-off index (COI) in F1, 2.1 in F2, 3.3 in F3 and 9.8 in F4 (P < 0.001). The median WFA(+) -M2BP values in each liver inflammation stage were: 1.6 COI in A1, 2.5 in A2 and 5.4 in A3 (P < 0.001). For predicting liver cirrhosis (F4), WFA(+) -M2BP yielded the highest AUROC (0.853). For predicting advanced liver fibrosis (F3 or F4), WFA(+) -M2BP, FIB-4 index and hyaluronic acid yielded the highest AUROC (0.747). For predicting severe liver inflammation activity (A3), WFA(+) -M2BP yielded the highest AUROC (0.739). The hCRP concentration in patients with A3 (median, 2230 ng/mL) was significantly higher than that in patients with A1 or A2 (median, 854.5 ng/mL) (P < 0.01). WFA(+) -M2BP level significantly correlated with hCRP concentration (rs = 0.461, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: WFA(+) -M2BP can be a useful marker for assessing liver histological findings in AIH patients and it correlated well with hCRP concentration.

Clinical significance of serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein level in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

AIM: To examine the relationship between the Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+ -M2BP) level and histological findings for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: A total of 134 NASH patients (mean age, 51.7 years) were analyzed. We examined the effect of WFA+ -M2BP level on severity of liver fibrosis comparing with other laboratory markers, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), FIB-4 index, platelet count and hyaluronic acid as serum liver fibrosis markers. Receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis was performed for calculating the area under the ROC (AUROC). RESULTS: The WFA+ -M2B P-value ranged from 0.2 cut-off index (COI) to 9.6 COI (median, 0.9). The median values in each fibrosis stage were: 0.7 COI in F1, 0.7 COI in F2, 1.2 COI in F3 and 2.4 COI in F4 (P < 0.001). For predicting liver cirrhosis (F4), WFA+ -M2BP level had the AUROC of 0.854 (sensitivity, 69.2%; specificity, 88.4%) and for predicting advanced liver fibrosis (≥F3), WFA+ -M2BP level yielded the second highest AUROC with a level of 0.842 (sensitivity, 73.7%; specificity, 80.2%) and for predicting significant liver fibrosis (≥F2), WFA+ -M2BP level yielded the highest AUROC with a level of 0.663 (sensitivity, 47.2%; specificity, 78.6%) among six liver fibrosis markers. The median values in patients with ballooning scores 1 (n = 58) and 2 (n = 76) were 0.6 and 1.1 COI, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Serum WFA+ -M2BP level can be useful for assessing liver histological findings in patients with NASH.

Comparison of sleep disorders in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon-based therapy and direct acting antivirals using actigraphy.

This study aimed to compare the severity of sleep problems between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with interferon (IFN)-based triple therapy (pegylated [Peg]-IFN plus ribavirin [RBV] plus simeprevir [SMV]) and those who received IFN-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. METHODS: Our study included 31 patients in group A (Peg-IFN/RBV/SMV combination therapy) and 41 patients in the group B (IFN-free DAA therapy). We prospectively compared the effect of each antiviral treatment regimen on sleep conditions between the two groups adding actigraphy data. Five parameters detected by actigraphy (objective assessment) and scores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (subjective assessment, n = 30 [group A] and 35 [group B]) were estimated. The causal effect of each therapy on sleep disturbances was evaluated at baseline and at 4 weeks after commencement of therapy. RESULTS: In terms of baseline characteristics, no significant differences between groups were found, except for hepatitis C virus genotype. In group A, sustained virological response 12 rate was 83.9% (26/31), whereas in group B it was 95.1% (39/41). In group A, each score of waking after sleep onset, activity index, wake episodes, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at 4 weeks significantly increased compared to those evaluated at baseline. In group B, scores of all variables except for sleep episodes at 4 weeks did not significantly change compared to those at baseline. CONCLUSION: Interferon-based triple therapy in patients with CHC may cause significant sleep disturbances. Interferon-free DAA therapy is less likely to deteriorate sleep conditions in patients with CHC.

Clinical implication of serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein level on hepatitis B e-antigen loss or seroconversion in hepatitis B e-antigen positive patients.

AIM: To examine the impact of pretreatment Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+ -M2BP) level on hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) loss or HBeAg seroconversion (SC) for patients with nucleoside/nucleotide analog (NUC) therapy naive HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: A total of 57 patients were analyzed. All subjects were initially treated with NUC. We examined the impact of pretreatment WFA+ -M2BP level on HBeAg loss and HBeAg SC using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: There were 36 men and 21 women (median age, 39 years). The WFA+ -M2BP cut-off index (COI) level ranged 0.43-12.9 (median, 1.55). WFA+ -M2BP level in patients with F3 or F4 was significantly higher than that with F0-F2. WFA+ -M2BP level in patients with A2 or 3 was significantly higher than that with A0 or 1. For all cases, the 1- and 3-year cumulative HBeAg loss rates were 10.5% and 34.4% and the corresponding cumulative HBeAg SC rates were 8.8% and 29.0%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, in terms of HBeAg loss, pretreatment HBV DNA of 5 log copies/mL or more and pretreatment WFA+ -M2BP level of more than 1.55 COI tended to be significant factors linked to loss of HBeAg, while in terms of HBeAg SC, pretreatment HBV DNA of 5 log copies/mL or more was an independent predictor and pretreatment WFA+ -M2BP level of more than 1.55 COI tended to be a significant factor. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment WFA+ -M2BP level may be a useful predictor for HBeAg loss or SC after NUC therapy for patients with HBeAg positive CHB.