Piericidins, Novel Quorum-Sensing Inhibitors against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, from Streptomyces sp. TOHO-Y209 and TOHO-O348

Piericidin A1, 3’-rhamnopiericidin A1, and a novel compound piericidin E, a new quorum-sensing (QS) inhibitor against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, were isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. QS is well known as a microbial signaling system and controls certain types of gene expression resulting in bioluminescence, biofilm formation, swarming motility, antibiotic biosynthesis, and virulence factor production. C. violaceum CV026 is commonly used to determine qualitative and quantitative QS activity. The structures of piericidin derivatives were characterized, and their QS activities were determined.

Field-based Simplified Approach of Evaluating Knee Extensor Muscle Strength and Size in Male University Freshmen

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between field-based simplified approaches and knee extensor muscle strength/size in young men. Knee extensor muscle thickness （MT） of 104 healthy university freshmen was measured at the anterior half of thigh length; maximal voluntary isometric contraction （MVIC） was measured when subjects performed knee extension. Field-based simplified approaches [sit-to-stand, standing long jump （SLJ）, handgrip and upper-leg-50% （thigh） girth] were also measured. MVIC was correlated with SLJ （r = 0.361, P 〈 0.001）, handgrip （r = 0.523, P 〈 0.001） and thigh girth （r = 0.401, P 〈 0.001）, but not with the sit-to-stand test （r = 0.126, P 〉 0.05）. MT was correlated with handgrip （r = 0.317, P 〈 0.001） and thigh girth （r = 0.632, P 〈 0.001）, but not with SLJ （r = 0.038, P 〉 0.05） or the sit-to-stand test （r = 0.145, P 〉 0.05）. A stepwise multiple-regression analysis was applied to the predictor thigh girth to predict knee extensor MT （R2 = 0.399）. To predict knee extensor MVIC, the predictor handgrip, thigh girth and SLJ were applied （R2 = 0.381）. In conclusion, knee extensor muscle strength/size could be evaluated by the field-based simplified approaches, in particular by the thigh girth measurement, which may be major determinant to maintain activities of daily living for healthy young men. However, the 4 field-based simplified approaches appear to be still not of high impact.

Effectiveness of probiotic therapy for the prevention of relapse in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis

AIM: to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotic therapy for suppressing relapse in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS: Bio-Three tablets, each containing 2 mg of lactomin(Streptococcus faecalis T-110), 10 mg of Clostridium butyricum TO-A, and 10 mg of Bacillus mesentericus TO-A, were used as probiotic therapy.Sixty outpatients with UC in remission were randomly assigned to receive 9 Bio-Three tablets/day(BioThree group) or 9 placebo tablets/day(placebo group)for 12 mo in addition to their ongoing medications.Clinical symptoms were evaluated monthly or on the exacerbation of symptoms or need for additional medication. Fecal samples were collected to analyze bacterial DNA at baseline and 3-mo intervals. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and cluster analyses were done to examine bacterial components of the fecal microflora.RESULTS: Forty-six patients, 23 in each group,completed the study, and 14 were excluded. The relapse rates in the Bio-Three and placebo groups were respectively 0.0% vs 17.4% at 3 mo(P = 0.036), 8.7%vs 26.1% at 6 mo(P = 0.119), and 21.7% vs 34.8%(P = 0.326) at 9 mo. At 12 mo, the remission rate was 69.5% in the Bio-Three group and 56.6% in the placebo group(P = 0.248). On cluster analysis of fecal flora, 7 patients belonged to cluster Ⅰ, 32 to cluster Ⅱ,and 7 to cluster Ⅲ.CONCLUSION: Probiotics may be effective formaintaining clinical remission in patients with quiescent UC, especially those who belong to cluster Ⅰ on fecal bacterial analysis.

Hepatitis B virus: Where do we stand and what is the next step for eradication?

Hepatitis B(HB) virus(HBV) infection, which causes liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is endemic worldwide. Hepatitis B vaccines became commercially available in the 1980 s. The World Health Organization recommended the integration of the HB vaccine into the national immunisation programs in all countries. HBV prevention strategies are classified into three groups:(1) universal vaccination alone;(2) universal vaccination with screening of pregnant women plus HB immune globulin(HBIG) at birth; and(3) selective vaccination with screening of pregnant women plus HBIG at birth. Most low-income countries have adopted universal vaccine programs without screening of pregnant women. However, HB vaccines are not widely used in low-income countries. The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization was launched in 2000, and by 2012, the global coverage of a three-dose HB vaccine had increased to 79%. The next challenges are to further increase the coverage rate, close the gap between recommendations and routine practices, approach highrisk individuals, screen and treat chronically infected individuals, and prevent breakthrough infections. To eradicate HBV infections, strenuous efforts are required to overcome socioeconomic barriers to the HB vaccine; this task is expected to take several decades to complete.

Acute appendicitis following endoscopic mucosal resection of cecal adenoma

Endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) allows the removal of flat or sessile lesions, laterally spreading tumors, and carcinoma of the colon or the rectum limited to the mucosa or the superficial submucosa. Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency requiring emergency surgery, and it is also a rare complication of diagnostic colonoscopy and therapeutic endoscopy, including EMR. In the case presented here, a 53-year-old female underwent colonoscopy due to a positive fecal occult blood test and was diagnosed with cecal adenoma. She was referred to our hospital and admitted for treatment. The patient had no other symptoms. EMR was performed, and 7 h after the surgery, the patient experienced right-lower abdominal pain. Laboratory tests performed the following day revealed a WBC count of 16000/mm3, a neutrophil count of 14144/mm3, and a C-reactive protein level of 2.20 mg/d L, indicating an inflammatory response. Computed tomography also revealed appendiceal wall thickening and swelling, so acute appendicitis following EMR was diagnosed. Antibiotics were initiated leading to total resolution of the symptoms, and the patient was discharged on the sixth post-operative day. Pathological analysis revealed a high-grade cecal tubular adenoma. Such acute appendicitis following EMR is extremely rare, and EMR of the cecum may be a rare cause of acute appendicitis.

Strategy to differentiate autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreas cancer

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a newly described entity of pancreatitis in which the pathogenesis appears to involve autoimmune mechanisms. Based on histological and immunohistochemical examinations of various organs of AIP patients, AIP appears to be a pancreatic lesion reflecting a systemic "IgG4-related sclerosing disease". Clinically, AIP patients and patients with pancreatic cancer share many features, such as preponderance of elderly males, frequent initial symptom of painless jaundice, development of new-onset diabetes mellitus, and elevated levels of serum tumor markers. It is of uppermost importance not to misdiagnose AIP as pancreatic cancer. Since there is currently no diagnostic serological marker for AIP, and approach to the pancreas for histological examination is generally difficult, AIP is diagnosed using a combination of clinical, serological, morphological, and histopathological features. Findings suggesting AIP rather than pancreatic cancer include:fluctuating obstructive jaundice; elevated serum IgG4 levels; diffuse enlargement of the pancreas; delayed en- hancement of the enlarged pancreas and presence of a capsule-like rim on dynamic computed tomography; low apparent diffusion coefficient values on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance image; irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; less upstream dilatation of the main pancreatic duct on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, presence of other organ involvement such as bilateral salivary gland swelling, retroperitoneal fibrosis and hilar or intrahepatic sclerosing cholangitis; negative work-up for malignancy including endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration; and steroid responsiveness. Since AIP responds dramatically to steroid therapy, accurate diagnosis of AIP can avoid unnecessary laparotomy or pancreatic resection.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease symptoms are more common in general practice in Japan

To accurately assess the prevalence of GERD symptoms in general practice. METHODS： 4139 consecutive patients （2025 men and 2114 women with a mean age of 43 years）, who first attended the Outpatient Department of General Medicine and Emergency Care at Toho University Omori Hospital, were asked to respond to the F-scale questionnaire regardless of their chief complaints. The questionnaire is a self-report instrument, written in a simple and easy-to- understand language, containing 12 questions. RESULTS： Of 4139 subjects, 1554 patients （37.6%） were identified as GERD according to their F-scale score （〉 7）. However, there were only 45 consultations （1.1%） for typical GERD symptoms. Although GERD symptoms are common in adults of all ages, the prevalence of GERD was highest in the 20-29 years age group and the age group 70-79 years had the lowest prevalence for both males and females. CONCLUSION： Although there was a high rote indicating GERD in our primary care population, only 1.1% of outpatients attended our hospital with a chief complaint of GERD symptoms. Since about one-third of GERD patients are affected by atypical symptoms, general physicians need to be cautious about extrapolating these results to patients with a chief complaint other than typical GERD symptoms.Watanabe T, Urita Y, Sugimoto M, Miki K. Gastro-esophagea reflux disease symptoms are more common in genera practice in Japan. World J Gastroenterol 2007; 13（31） 4219-4223

Is endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation without endoscopic sphincterotomy effective?

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation(EPLBD) without endoscopic sphincterotomy in a prospective study.METHODS: From July 2011 to August 2013, we performed EPLBD on 41 patients with nae papillae prospectively. For sphincteroplasty of EPLBD,endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST) was not performed,and balloon diameter selection was based on the distal common bile duct diameter. The balloon was inflated to the desired pressure. If the balloon waist did not disappear, and the desired pressure was satisfied, we judged the dilatation as complete. We used a retrieval balloon catheter or mechanical lithotripter(ML) to remove stones and assessed the rates of complete stone removal, number of sessions, use of ML and adverse events. Furthermore, we compared the presence or absence of balloon waist disappearance with clinical characteristics and endoscopic outcome.RESULTS: The mean diameters of the distal and maximum common bile duct were 13.5 ± 2.4 mm and16.4 ± 3.1 mm, respectively. The mean maximum transverse-diameter of the stones was 13.4 ± 3.4mm, and the mean number of stones was 3.0 ± 2.4.Complete stone removal was achieved in 97.5%(40/41)of cases, and ML was used in 12.2%(5/41) of cases.The mean number of sessions required was 1.2 ± 0.62.Pancreatitis developed in two patients and perforation in one. The rate of balloon waist disappearance was73.1%(30/41). No significant differences were noted in procedure time, rate of complete stone removal(100% vs 100%), number of sessions(1.1 vs 1.3, P= 0.22), application of ML(13% vs 9%, P = 0.71),or occurrence of pancreatitis(3.3% vs 9.1%, P =0.45) between cases with and without balloon waist disappearance.CONCLUSION: EST before sphincteroplasty may be unnecessary in EPLBD. Further investigations are needed to verify the relationship between the presence or absence of balloon waist disappearance.

Efficacy of intra-arterial contrast-enhanced ultrasonography during transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To assess the usefulness of intra-arterial contrastenhanced ultrasonography(IAUS) during transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) with drug-eluting beads(DEB) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS Thirty two patients with 39 HCC underwent DEB-TACE guided with IAUS, and examined by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) or dynamic CT after DEB-TACE were enrolled in this study. CEUS findings before DEBTACE and IAUS findings were compared. Treatments judged to be complete and incomplete for lesions were appropriate and insufficient, respectively. Findings on CEUS and/or dynamic CT performed 1, 3 and 6 mo after DEB-TACE were evaluated using m RECIST(CR/PR/SD/PD).RESULTS The treatments were complete and incomplete in 26 and 13 lesions, respectively. On imaging evaluation using CEUS and/or dynamic CT one month after treatment, 25 and 1 lesions were judged to be CR and PR, respectively, and at 6 mo after treatment, the results were CR, PR, SD and PD for 24, 1, 0 and 1 of these lesions, respectively, in the 26 completely treated lesions. Of the 13 lesions in which treatment was incomplete, the results on imaging at one month after treatment were CR, PR, SD and PD for 0, 6, 4 and 3 lesions, respectively. The overall CR rate at 6 mo after treatment was 61.5%(24/39).CONCLUSION A combination of DEB-TACE with IAUS can improve the therapeutic effects in patients with HCC.

Successful outcomes of EMR-L with 3D-EUS for rectal carcinoids compared with historical controls

AIM: To assess the results of endoscopic mucosal re-section with a ligation device (EMR-L) combined with three dimensional endoscopic ultrasonography (3D-EUS) using an ultrasonic probe for rectal carcinoids. In addition, diagnosis of the depth and size of lesions by EUS was evaluated. METHODS: Between January 2003 and March 2007, 20 patients underwent EMR-L with 3D-EUS using an ultrasonic probe (group A). 3D-EUS was combined with EMR-L at the time of injection of sterile physiological saline into the submucosal layer. For comparison, 14 rectal carcinoids that had been treated by EMR-L with-out 3D-EUS between April 1998 and December 2002 were evaluated as historical controls (group B). EUS was conducted for all of the patients before treatment to evaluate tumor diameter and depth of invasion. The percentage of complete resection and the verti-cal resection margin were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The depth of invasion upon histopathologi-cal examination was in complete agreement with the pre-operative fi ndings by EUS. The tumor diameter de-termined by EUS approximated that found in the tissue samples. There were no signifi cant differences in the gender, tumor sites or tumor diameters between the two groups. The rate of complete resection for groups A and B was 100% and 71%, respectively (P < 0.05). The vertical resection margin of group A was longer than that of group B. CONCLUSION: EMR-L is effective as an endoscopictreatment for rectal carcinoids. In combination with 3D-EUS, safe and complete resection is further as-sured.

Efficacy of the revised Vienna Classification for diagnosing colorectal epithelial neoplasias

AIM： To prospectively investigate the efficacy of the revised Vienna Classification for diagnosing colorectal epithelial neoplastic lesions in cold biopsy specimens.METHODS： Patients were selected for inclusion if they had colorectal epithelial lesions that were not considered suitable for direct endoscopic resection,These included colorectal polyps ≥ 10 mm and lesions suspected of being carcinomas capable of invading the colorectal submucosa or beyond, including strictures, based on the cold biopsies obtained from each lesion prior to resection. We investigated the relationship between diagnoses based on cold biopsy samples using the revised Vienna Classification and resected specimens of the same lesions, and the therapeutic implications of diagnoses made using the revised Vienna Classification. The same cold biopsy specimens were also examined using the Japanese Group Classification guidelines, and compared with the resected specimens of the same lesions for reference.RESULTS： A total of 179 lesions were identified. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negativepredictive values of the revised Vienna Classification for distinguishing between intramucosal lesions and submucosal invasive carcinomas in cold biopsy specimens was 22.2%, 100%, 100%, and 71.4%,respectively, and for distinguishing between intramucosal lesions and those invading the submucosa or beyond was 59.7%, 100%, 100%, and 37.6%,respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the Japanese Group Classification for distinguishing between intramucosal lesions and submucosal invasive carcinomas in cold biopsy specimens was 83.3%, 91.4%, 83.3%. and 91.4%, respectively, and for distinguishing between intramucosal lesions and those invading the submucosa or beyond was 95.1%, 91.4%, 97.9%, and 82.1%, respectively. A total of 137 of 144 carcinomas that had invaded the submucosa or beyond and three high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias were diagnosed as ＂carcinoma＂ using the Japanese Group Classification system.CONCLUSION： The revised Vienna Classification for cold biopsy specimens has high positive predictive value in the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma invasive to the subrnucosa or beyond.

Twenty-four hour intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil,cisplatin,and leucovorin is more effective than 6-hour infusion for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM. To evaluate the time dependence of intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil （5-FU） therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma （aHCC）. METHODS： Thirty-seven adult Japanese patients who had aHCC and liver cirrhosis were treated with combined intra-arterial 5-FU, cisplatin （CDDP）, and leucovorin （LV）. The Japan Integrated Staging score （JIS score） of each patient was 3 or more. The patients were divided into two groups, alter which the 15 patients in group S were treated with 6-h infusion chemotherapy （LV at 12 mg/h, CDDP at 10 mg/h, and 5-FU at 250 mg/m^2 per 4 h） and the 22 patients in group L were treated with 24-h infusion chemotherapy （LV at 12 mg/h, CDDP at 10 mg/h, and 5-FU at 250 mg/m^2 per 22 h）. Continuous infusion chemotherapy was performed v/a the proper hepatic artery every 5 d for 4 wk using an implanted drug reservoir. RESULTS： The percentages of patients with a partial response after 4 wk of chemotherapy were 6.7% in group S and 31.8% in group L. The survival of group L was significantly better than that of group S, with the median survival time being 496 d in group L and 226 d in group S （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Continuous 24-h intra-arterial infusion is more effective for aHCC and can markedly prolong survival time as compared to 6-h infusion.

Utility of pancreatography for diagnosing autoimmune pancreatitis

AIM: To identify pancreatographic findings that facilitate differentiating between autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and pancreatic cancer (PC) on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). METHODS: ERCP findings of 48 AIP and 143 PC patients were compared. Diagnostic accuracies for AIP by ERCP and MRCP were compared in 30 AIP patients. RESULTS: The following ERCP findings suggested a diagnosis of AIP rather than PC. Obstruction of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) was more frequently detected in PC (P < 0.001). Skipped MPD lesions were detected only in AIP (P < 0.001). Side branch derivation from the narrowed MPD was more frequent in AIP (P < 0.001). The narrowed MPD was longer in AIP (P < 0.001), and a narrowed MPD longer than 3 cm was more frequent in AIP (P < 0.001). Maximal diameter of the upstream MPD was smaller in AIP (P < 0.001), and upstream dilatation of the MPD less than 5 mm was more frequent in AIP (P < 0.001). Stenosis of the lower bile duct was smooth in 87% of AIP and irregular in 65% of PC patients (P < 0.001). Stenosis of the intrahepatic or hilar bile duct was detected only in AIP (P = 0.001). On MRCP, diffuse narrowing of the MPD on ERCP was shown as a skipped non-visualized lesion in 50% and faint visualization in 19%, but segmental narrowing of the MPD was visualized faintly in only 14%. CONCLUSION: Several ERCP findings are useful for differentiating AIP from PC. Although MRCP cannot replace ERCP for the diagnostic evaluation of AIP, some MRCP findings support the diagnosis of AIP.

Importance of early diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction without biliary dilatation

AIM:To clarify the strategy for early diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction(PBM) without biliary dilatation and to pathologically examine gallbladder before cancer develops.METHODS:The anatomy of the union of the pancreatic and bile ducts was assessed by using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).Patients with a long common channel in which communication between the pancreatic and bile ducts was maintained even during sphincter contraction were diagnosed as having PBM.Of these,patients in which the maximal diameter of the bile duct was less than 10 mm were diagnosed with PBM without biliary dilatation.The process of diagnosing 54 patients with PBM without biliary dilatation was retrospectively investigated.Histopathological analysis of resected gallbladder specimens from 8 patients with PBM without biliary dilatation or cancer was conducted.RESULTS:Thirty-six PBM patients without biliary dilatation were diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after showing clinical symptoms such as abdominal or back pain(n = 16) or jaundice(n = 12).Radical surgery for gallbladder cancer was only possible in 11 patients(31%) and only 4 patients(11%) survived for 5 years.Eight patients were suspected as having PBM without biliary dilatation from the finding of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasound and the diagnosis was confirmed by ERCP and/or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP).The median age of these 8 patients was younger by a decade than PBM patients with gallbladder cancer.All 8 patients underwent prophylactic cholecystectomy and bile duct cancer has not occurred.Wall thickness and mucosal height of the 8 resected gallbladders were significantly greater than controls,and hyperplastic changes,hypertrophic muscular layer,subserosal fibrosis,and adenomyomatosis were detected in 7(88%),5(63%),7(88%) and 5(63%) patients,respectively.Ki-67 labeling index was high and K-ras mutation was detected in 3 of 6 patients.CONCLUSION:To detect PBM without biliary dilatation before onset of gallbladder cancer,we should perform MRCP for individuals showing increased gallbladder wall thickness on ultrasound.

Comparison of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and CyberKnife®for initial solitary hepatocellular carcinoma:A pilot study

AIM To compare therapeutic outcomes and adverseevents in initial solitary hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC） treated with radiofrequency ablation （RFA） andCyberKnife？.METHODS： Seventy three consecutive patients withinitial solitary HCC treated with RFA （38 patients;RFA group） and CyberKnife （35 patients; CK group）were enrolled in this study. Background factorswere compared between the two groups. Local andintrahepatic distant recurrence control, and cumulativesurvival rates were compared between the two groups.These were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method,and the significance of differences was analyzed by log-rank test. The presence of more grade 3 on CTCAE ver.4.0 early and late adverse events was investigated.RESULTS： In background factors, age was significantlyhigher （P = 0.005） and the tumor diameter wassignificantly larger （P = 0.001） in the CK group. The1-year local recurrence control rates were 97.4%and 97.1% in the RFA and CK groups, respectively （P= 0.71）; the 1-year intrahepatic distant recurrencecontrol rates were 85.6% and 86.1%, respectively （P= 0.91）; and the 1-year cumulative survival rates were100% and 95.2%, respectively （P = 0.075）, showingno significant difference in any rate between the twogroups. There were no late adverse event in the RFAgroup, but 11.4% in the CK group had late adverseevents. In the CK group, the Child-Pugh score at 12 moafter treatment was significantly higher than that in theRFA group （P = 0.003） and significantly higher than thescore before treatment （P = 0.034）.CONCLUSION： The occurrence of adverse events is aconcern, but CyberKnife treatment is likely to becomean important option for local treatment of early HCC.

Clinical Observation on Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eight-Section Brocade on Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Objective： To observe the physiological and psychological changing of type 2 diabetic patients after practicing Eight-Section Brocade, to evaluate the clinical curative effect, and to provide a safe and effective self-regulating method for type 2 diabetic patients. Methods： This study is a random controlled trial, the 54 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned into the intervention and the control group. The intervention group was given a 2-month period of Eight-Section Brocade practice, then a comparison between groups was made. The intervention group continued to do Eight-Section Brocade practice for 2 months, so it was 4 months＇ intervention all together for this group, and then a comparison within the intervention group was made. Results： There was significant difference 4 months later on HbAlc in the intervention group （P〈0.05）. There was significant difference between the intervention and control groups on obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety and hostility scores after 2 months＇ practice （P〈0.05）. There was significant difference between 2 and 4 months＇ practice on hostilities scores within the intervention group （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： As an important part of the traditional Chinese medicine, Eight-section Brocade has physiological and psycholozical effects on type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Prevalence of linked angina and gastroesophageal reflux disease in general practice

AIM： To evaluate the association between gastroesophageal reflux diseases （GERD） and coronary heart diseases. METHODS： One thousand nine hundred and seventy consecutive patients who attended our hospital were enrolled. All of the patients who first attend our hospital were asked to respond to the F-scale questionnaire regardless of their chief complaints. All patients had a careful history taken, and resting echocardiography （ECG） was performed by physicians if the diagnostic necessity arose. Patients with ECG signs of coronary artery ischemia were defined as ST- segment depression based on the Minnesota code. RESULTS： Among 712 patients （36%） with GERD, ECG was performed in 171 （24%）, and ischemic changes were detected in eight （5%）. Four （50%） of these patients with abnormal findings upon ECG had no chest symptoms such as chest pain, chest oppression, or palpitations. These patients （0.6%; 4/712） were thought to have non-GERD heartburn, which may be related to ischemic heart disease. Of 281 patients who underwent ECG and did not have GERD symptoms, 20 （7%） had abnormal findings upon ECG. In patients with GERD symptoms and ECG signs of coronary artery ischemia, the prevalence of linked angina was considered to be 0.4% （8/1970 patients）.CONCLUSION： The present study suggested that ischemic heart disease might be found although a patient was referred to the hospital with a complaint of GERD symptoms. Physicians have to be concerned about missing clinically important coronary artery disease while evaluating patients for GERD symptoms.

ABO incompatible renal transplants:Good or bad?

ABO incompatible kidney transplantation(ABOi-KT) was previously considered to be an absolute contraindication for patients with end-stage kidney disease(ESKD) due to hyperacute rejection related to blood type barrier. Since the first successful series of ABOi-KT was reported, ABOi-KT is performed increasingly all over the world. ABOi-KT has led to an expanded donor pool and reduced the number of patients with ESKD awaiting deceased kidney transplantation(KT). Intensified immunosuppression and immunological understanding has helped to shape current desensitization protocols. Consequently, in recent years, ABOi-KT outcome is comparable to ABO compatible KT(ABOc-KT). However, many questions still remain unanswered. In ABOi-KT, there is an additional residual immunological risk that maylead to allograft damage, despite using current diverse but usually intensified immunosuppressive protocols at the expense of increasing risk of infection and possibly malignancy. Notably, in ABOi-KT, desensitization and antibody reduction therapies have increased the cost of KT. Reassuringly, there has been an evolution in ABOiKT leading to a simplification of protocols over the last decade. This review provides an overview of the history, outcome, protocol, advantages and disadvantages in ABOi-KT, and focuses on whether ABOi-KT should be recommended as a therapeutic option of KT in the future.

Influence of proton pump inhibitor treatment on Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test

AIM: To investigate the effects of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment on stool antigen test using the TestMate pylori enzyme immunoassay. METHODS: This study assessed 28 patients [16 men and 12 women; mean age (63.1 ± 5.9) years; range, 25-84 years] who underwent stool antigen test and urea breath test (UBT) before and after PPI administration. RESULTS: Using the UBT as the standard, the sensitivity, specif icity and agreement of the stool antigen test in all 28 patients were 95.2%, 71.4%, and 89.3%, respectively, before PPI administration, and 88.9%, 90.9%, and 89.3%, respectively, after PPI treatment. Mean UBT values were 23.98% ± 5.33% before and 16.19% ± 4.75% after PPI treatment and, in 15 patients treated for ≥ 4 wk, were signif icantly lower after than before 4 wk of PPI treatment (12.58% ± 4.49% vs 24.53% ± 8.53%, P = 0.048). The mean optical density (A450/630) ratios on the stool antigen test were 1.16 ± 0.20 before and 1.17 ± 0.24 after PPI treatment (P = 0.989), and were 1.02 ± 0.26 and 0.69 ± 0.28, respectively, in the group treated for > 4 wk (P = 0.099).

Acute pancreatitis secondary to intramural duodenal hematoma:Case report and literature review

Nontraumatic intramural duodenal hematoma(IDH) is rare disease and it is generally related to coagulation abnormalities.Reports of nontraumatic IDH associated with pancreatic disease are relatively rare,and various conditions including acute or chronic pancreatitis are thought to be associated with nontraumatic IDH.However,the association between IDH and acute pancreatitis remains unknown.We report the case of a 45-year-old man who presented with vomiting and right hypochondrial pain.He had no medical history,but was a heavy drinker.The diagnosis of IDH was established by computed tomography,ultrasonography and endoscopy,and it was complicated by acute pancreatitis.The lesions resolved with conservative management.We discuss this case in the context of previously reported cases of IDH concomitant with acute pancreatitis.In our patient,acute pancreatitis occurred concurrently with hematoma,probably due to obstruction of the duodenal papilla,or compression of the pancreas caused by the hematoma.The present analysis of the published cases of IDH with acute pancreatitis provides some information on the pathogenesis of IDH and its relationship with acute pancreatitis.