Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in end-stage renal disease patients: Two decades of experience at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

AIM: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common disease in Taiwan. The prevalence of viral hepatitis infection and the subsequent development of HCC are well known to be higher in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) than among the general population. However, information on hepatic resection for ESRD-HCC patients is limited. METHODS: The clinical features of 26 ESRD-HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection from 1982 to 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. Meanwhile, the clinicopathological features and the outcome of 1 198 HCC patients without ESRD undergoing hepatic resection were used for comparison. RESULTS: Of 1 224 surgically resected HCC patients, 26 (4.2%) were ESRD-HCC. Univariate analysis revealed more associated disease, more physical signs of anemia and postoperative complications, lower hemoglobin, platelet, α-fetoprotein, elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, smaller tumors, lower HBsAg positivity, higher HCV positivity, and longer hospital stays in the ESRDHCC group compared with the HCC group. Furthermore, multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated BUN and creatinine levels were the only two independently significant factors in the patients in the ESRD-HCC group. Overall and disease-free survival rates were similar between the ESRD-HCC and HCC groups.CONCLUSION: Elevated BUN and creatinine were the only two main independent factors differentiating ESRD-HCC from HCC patients. ESRD should not be a contraindication of hepatic resection in HCC patients; however, careful operative techniques and perioperative care are crucial to achieving lower morbidity and mortality. Comparable overall survival and disease-free survival can be achieved in selected ESRD-HCC patients undergoing hepatic resection when compared with conventional HCC patients.

Impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on liver health:Current understanding and future research directions

With continuous population and economic growth in the 21st century,plastic pollution is a major global issue.However,the health concern of microplastics/nanoplastics(MPs/NPs)decomposed from plastic wastes has drawn public attention only in the recent decade.This article summarizes recent works dedicated to understanding the impact of MPs/NPs on the liver-the largest digestive organ,which is one of the primary routes that MPs/NPs enter human bodies.The interrelated mechanisms including oxidative stress,hepatocyte energy re-distribution,cell death and autophagy,as well as immune responses and inflammation,were also featured.In addition,the disturbance of microbiome and gut-liver axis,and the association with clinical diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease,steatohepatitis,liver fibrosis,and cirrhosis were briefly discussed.Finally,we discussed potential directions in regard to this trending topic,highlighted current challenges in research,and proposed possible solutions.

Nigel Wiseman:Modern Texts,Classics,Terminology,and Language-learning Material

In this article,I trace my career from an early interest in language that eventually led me to engage in Chinese medical translation.Born in the United Kingdom in 1954,I gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and Spanish from the University of Heriot-Watt,Edinburgh.Subsequent study of Chinese took me to Taiwan,China,where I gained an interest in Chinese medicine and developed a coherent linguistic approach to Chinese medical term translation,which I and various colleagues have systematically applied in the translation and compilation of numerous works spanning modern texts,classics,dictionaries,and language-learning materials.Our translation approach,though conforming to principles universally recognized by translation theorists,has proven to be highly controversial,with opponents in both Western and Chinese circles.

Five-year sequential changes in secondary antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Taiwan

AIM: To determine changes in the antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) in southern Taiwan after failure of first-line standard triple therapy.METHODS: We analyzed 137 H. pylori-infected isolates from patients who experienced eradication failure after standard first-line triple therapy from January2010 to December 2014. The H. pylori strains were tested for susceptibility to amoxicillin, clarithromycin,levofloxacin, metronidazole and tetracycline using the E-test method. The minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) was determined by the agar dilution test.MIC values of ≥ 0.5, ≥ 1, ≥ 1, ≥ 4 and ≥ 8 mg/L were considered to be the resistance breakpoints for amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, tetracycline and metronidazole, respectively.RESULTS: A high resistance rate was found for clarithromycin(65%-75%) and metronidazole(30%-40%)among patients who failed first-line standard therapy.The resistance levels to amoxicillin and tetracycline remained very low; however, levofloxacin resistance was as high as 37.5% in 2010 but did not increase any further during the past 5 years. The rates of resistance to these antibiotics did not show a statistically significant upward or downward trend.CONCLUSION: Antibiotic resistance of H. pylori remains a problem for the effective eradication of this pathogen and its associated diseases in Taiwan. High clarithromycin resistance indicated that this antibiotic should not be prescribed as a second-line H. pylori eradication therapy. Moreover, levofloxacin-based second-line therapy should be used cautiously, and the local resistance rates should be carefully monitored.

EXISTENCE OF MULTIPLE POSITIVE SOLUTIONS FOR SEMILINEAR ELLIPTIC SYSTEMS INVOLVING m CRITICAL HARDY-SOBOLEV EXPONENTS AND m SIGN-CHANGING WEIGHT FUNCTION

In this article, we consider a class of degenerate quasilinear elliptic problems with weights and nonlinearity involving the critical Hardy-Sobolev exponent and one sign- changing function. The existence and multiplicity results of positive solutions are obtained by variational methods.

Delayed ischemic gangrene change of distal limb despite optimal decompressed colostomy constructed in obstructedsigmoid colon cancer:A case report

为解压缩创造喷水孔结肠开口术能为一个严重地削弱的案例向一个节省时间、有效的外科的过程提供一种完全妨碍的颜色表面的癌症。复杂并发症作为脱垂，收回，和 paracolostomal 脓肿被报导。然而，复杂并发症与一是化学家远侧的手足没被报导。我们为减轻恶意的 S 字形的冒号阻塞在减压结肠开口术以后报导批评 intra 腹的疾病的一个案例；一个潜在的致命的条件应该被警告。76 岁的男性与肮脏气味的呕吐为与妨碍的 S 字形的结肠肿瘤有关的症状访问了我们的紧急情况部门我们包含象粪便一样材料。对妨碍的 S 字形的损害近似的突现的喷水孔结肠开口术被创造，并且完全的冒号阻塞的分辨率被追求。不幸地，有有白细胞减少的高发烧的像板的腹部和骤起的广泛的腹的痛苦的膨胀随后发展了。如此的急腹症与 S 字形的肿瘤的切除术显示了第二等的剖腹术与一起一是近似地定位直到以前创造的结肠开口术的化学家冒号片断。最后，病人让一所平静手术后的医院留下来。在现在的文章，我们在喷水孔结肠开口术以后描述了远侧的手足局部缺血的骤起的一个突现的条件并且断定尽管有减压结肠开口术，那将高效地解决尖锐恶意的冒号阻塞；逼近是化学家肠可以与可能的不可逆的腹膜炎进行。任何病人，没有妨碍的损害的切除术，经历减压结肠开口术，应该经常与白血球计数和腹的条件调查被监视。

Tardive sensory syndrome related to lurasidone:A case report

BACKGROUND Tardive sensory syndrome(TSS)is a subtype of tardive syndrome(TS),and its etiology is still uncertain.Lurasidone is an atypical antipsychotic that has high affinity for dopamine D2-and serotonergic 5HT2A-and 5-HT7-receptors.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old woman,previously diagnosed with schizophrenia,and with no history of movement disorders and no sensory paresthesia,had taken lurasidone,initiate dose 40 mg daily then up titration to 120 mg daily,since March 2021,and developed mandibular sensory(pain)paresthesia after 3 mo of administration.After switching from lurasidone to quetiapine,she reported obvious improvement in her mandibular pain.CONCLUSION It is noteworthy that TSS is a rare subtype of TS,and lurasidone,an atypical antipsychotic,usually has a lower risk of causing TS.In light of the temporal relationship,it is therefore concluded that use of lurasidone might have caused TSS in this patient.We reported this rare case as a reminder that clinicians should adopt a cautious approach when prescribing atypical antipsychotics,so as to prevent TS.

Harnessing and honing mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for the amelioration of graft-versus-host disease

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a deterministic curative procedure for various hematologic disorders and congenital immunodeficiency.Despite its increased use,the mortality rate for patients undergoing this procedure remains high,mainly due to the perceived risk of exacerbating graft-versushost disease(GVHD).However,even with immunosuppressive agents,some patients still develop GVHD.Advanced mesenchymal stem/stromal cell(MSC)strategies have been proposed to achieve better therapeutic outcomes,given their immunosuppressive potential.However,the efficacy and trial designs have varied among the studies,and some research findings appear contradictory due to the challenges in characterizing the in vivo effects of MSCs.This review aims to provide real insights into this clinical entity,emphasizing diagnostic,and therapeutic considerations and generating pathophysiology hypotheses to identify research avenues.The indications and timing for the clinical application of MSCs are still subject to debate.

Transcriptome analysis creates a new era of precision medicine for managing recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

The high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)recurrence negatively impacts outcomes of patients treated with curative intent despite advances in surgical techniques and other locoregional liver-targeting therapies.Over the past few decades,the emergence of transcriptome analysis tools,including real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR,microarrays,and RNA sequencing,has not only largely contributed to our knowledge about the pathogenesis of recurrent HCC but also led to the development of outcome prediction models based on differentially expressed gene signatures.In recent years,the single-cell RNA sequencing technique has revolutionized our ability to study the complicated crosstalk between cancer cells and the immune environment,which may benefit further investigations on the role of different immune cells in HCC recurrence and the identification of potential therapeutic targets.In the present article,we summarized the major findings yielded with these transcriptome methods within the framework of a causal model consisting of three domains:primary cancer cells;carcinogenic stimuli;and tumor microenvironment.We provided a comprehensive review of the insights that transcriptome analyses have provided into diagnostics,surveillance,and treatment of HCC recurrence.

Bioenergetic alteration in gastrointestinal cancers:The good,the bad and the ugly

Cancer cells exhibit metabolic reprogramming and bioenergetic alteration,utilizing glucose fermentation for energy production,known as the Warburg effect.However,there are a lack of comprehensive reviews summarizing the metabolic reprogramming,bioenergetic alteration,and their oncogenetic links in gastrointestinal(GI)cancers.Furthermore,the efficacy and treatment potential of emerging anticancer drugs targeting these alterations in GI cancers require further evaluation.This review highlights the interplay between aerobic glycolysis,the tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle,and oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS)in cancer cells,as well as hypotheses on the molecular mechanisms that trigger this alteration.The role of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors,tumor suppressors,and the oncogenetic link between hypoxia-related enzymes,bioenergetic changes,and GI cancer are also discussed.This review emphasizes the potential of targeting bioenergetic regulators for anti-cancer therapy,particularly for GI cancers.Emphasizing the potential of targeting bioenergetic regulators for GI cancer therapy,the review categorizes these regulators into aerobic glycolysis/lactate biosynthesis/transportation and TCA cycle/coupled OXPHOS.We also detail various anti-cancer drugs and strategies that have produced pre-clinical and/or clinical evidence in treating GI cancers,as well as the challenges posed by these drugs.Here we highlight that understanding dysregulated cancer cell bioenergetics is critical for effective treatments,although the diverse metabolic patterns present challenges for targeted therapies.Further research is needed to comprehend the specific mechanisms of inhibiting bioenergetic enzymes,address side effects,and leverage high-throughput multi-omics and spatial omics to gain insights into cancer cell heterogeneity for targeted bioenergetic therapies.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation via retrograde aortic approach in a patient with interrupted inferior vena cava:a case report

Radiofrequency catheter ablation(RFCA)is a cornerstone treatment of atrial fibrillation(AF).Transfemoral venous approach with transseptal puncture to assess left atrium(LA)is a mainstream method for AF ablation.Interrupted inferior vena cava(IVC)is a rare congenital vascular anomaly which complicates electrophysiologic procedures and makes conventional approach not feasible.

亚太地区慢性乙型肝炎治疗共识(2012最新版)

自2008年至今,有大量关于慢性HBV感染的自然史和治疗的最新数据不断涌现。其中包括慢性HBV感染的无症状感染者,以社区为基础的队列研究,HBV基因型的作用,非药物诱导的自然HBV变异型毒株,无创性肝纤维化评估方法的应用,HBsAg定量在临床中的应用,更有效的新治疗药物和新治疗方案等等。来自亚太地区的专家审查和评估了相关数据,并共同商讨了近年来报道的最有意义的发现,基于此,对2008年版的亚太地区慢性乙型肝炎治疗共识进行修订,同时对2008年版治疗指南定义的关键词组进行了修订。修订后的指南包括以下几方面内容:一般治疗,肝纤维化评价适应证,何时开始治疗或停药,初始抗病毒治疗药物的选择,如何监测治疗中和治疗后的患者。关于特殊人群的治疗建议中包括了对妊娠妇女,已发生耐药,合并其他病毒感染,肝功能失代偿,接受免疫抑制治疗、化疗,肝移植或肝细胞癌患者的具体治疗建议。

Surgical management of gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma

AIM:To study the behavior as well as optimal treatment of gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma, we reviewed the results of treatment of gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. METHODS:From 1987 to 2005,six patients were diagnosed with gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma and treated at our institution.Tumor staging was based on 2002 revised tumor-node-metastasis(TNM)staging for gall bladder cancer from the American Joint Committee on Cancer.The clinical presentation,laboratory data and preoperative workup were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS:Five patients were female and one was male.The age ranged from 51 to 66 years(median, 58 years).Surgical procedures included three curative resections,two palliative resections and one biopsy. There were two surgical complications(33.3%)and one case of surgical mortality(16.7%).The followup time ranged from 30 d to 5 mo.The median survival was 2.5 mo.The prognosis was extremely poor,even after curative resection and postoperative chemotherapy. CONCLUSION:The prognosis of gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma was not dependent on TNM stage and was always dismal.The clinicopathological features were different from those of gall bladder cancer.

Clinicopathological study of solid and pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas: Emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging findings

AIM: To report the clinicopathological features and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of solid and pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of pancreas.METHODS: From 1981 to 2005, 26 surgically treated cases of SPT were retrospectively reviewed. MRI findings of the latest 11 consecutive SPT cases were investigated.RESULTS: There were 25 women and one man having SPT (median age: 23 year) with a median tumor size of 7.5 cm. Among them, nine patients developed solid pseudopapillary carcinoma. During the median follow-up period of 66 mo, the 5-year survival rate of the 26 SPT patients was 96.2%. Three MRI features were proposed including Type 1 image, displaying SPT with completely solid part. All SPT patients with type 1 image were detected incidentally. Type 2 image displays of SPT with solid mass hemorrhage and type 3 image with massive hemorrhage. All the eight SPT patients with type 2 and 3 images suffered abdominal pain due to hemorrhage from SPT.CONCLUSION: SPT had a favorable survival rate irrespective of surgical procedures, malignancy, and MRI findings, however, MRI could reliably correlate with its clinicopathological features.

MELD score can predict early mortality in patients with rebleeding after band ligation for variceal bleeding

AIM:To investigate the outcomes,as well as risk factors for 6-wk mortality,in patients with early rebleeding after endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL) for esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH).METHODS:Among 817 EVL procedures performed for EVH between January 2007 and December 2008,128 patients with early rebleeding,defined as rebleeding within 6 wk after EVL,were enrolled for analysis.RESULT:The rate of early rebleeding after EVL for acute EVH was 15.6% (128/817).The 5-d,6-wk,3-mo,and 6-mo mortality rates were 7.8%,38.3%,55.5%,and 58.6%,respectively,in these early rebleeding patients.The use of beta-blockers,occurrence of hypovolemic shock,and higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score at the time of rebleeding were independent predictors for 6-wk mortality.A cut-off value of 21.5 for the MELD score was found with an area under ROC curve of 0.862 (P < 0.001).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value were 77.6%,81%,71.7%,and 85.3%,respectively.As for the 6-mo survival rate,patients with a MELD score ≥ 21.5 had a significantly lower survival rate than patients with a MELD score < 21.5 (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:This study demonstrated that the MELD score is an easy and powerful predictor for 6-wk mortality and outcomes of patients with early rebleeding after EVL for EVH.

Liver metastasis from hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma: Dynamic computed tomography findings

AIM: To evaluate the dynamic computed tomography(CT) findings of liver metastasis from hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach(HAS) and compared them with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: Between January 2000 and January 2015, 8 patients with pathologically proven HAS and liver metastases were enrolled. Basic tumor status was evaluated for the primary tumor location and metastatic sites. The CT findings of the liver metastases were analyzed for tumor number and size, presence of tumor necrosis, hemorrhage, venous tumor thrombosis, and dynamic enhancing pattern.RESULTS: The body and antrum were the most common site for primary HAS(n = 7), and observed metastatic sites included the liver(n = 8), lymph nodes(n = 7), peritoneum(n = 4), and lung(n = 2). Most of the liver metastases exhibited tumor necrosis regardless of tumor size. By contrast, tumor hemorrhage was observed only in liver lesions larger than 5 cm(n = 4). Three patterns of venous tumor thrombosis were identified: direct venous invasion by the primary HAS(n = 1), direct venous invasion by the liver metastases(n = 7), and isolated portal vein tumor thrombosis(n = 2). Dynamic CT revealed arterial hyperattenuation and late phase washout in all the liver metastases.CONCLUSION: On dynamic CT, liver metastasis from HAS shared many imaging similarities with HCC. For liver nodules, the presence of isolated portal vein tumor thrombosis and a tendency for tumor necrosis are imaging clues that suggest the diagnosis of HAS.

Predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer

AIM: To analyze the predictive factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early gastric cancer (EGC). METHODS: Data from patients surgically treated for gastric cancers between January 1994 and December 2007 were retrospectively collected. Clinicopathological factors were analyzed to identify predictive factors for LNM. RESULTS: Of the 2936 patients who underwent gas-trectomy and lymph node dissection, 556 were diag-nosed with EGC and included in this study. Among these, 4.1% of patients had mucosal tumors (T1a) with LNM while 24.3% of patients had submucosal tumorswith LNM. Univariate analysis found that female gen-der, tumors ≥ 2 cm, tumor invasion to the submucosa, vascular and lymphatic involvement were significantly associated with a higher rate of LNM. On multivariate analysis, tumor size, lymphatic involvement, and tumor with submucosal invasion were associated with LNM. CONCLUSION: Tumor with submucosal invasion, size ≥ 2 cm, and presence of lymphatic involvement are predictive factors for LNM in EGC.

Timing of mortality in severe acute pancreatitis:Experience from 643 patients

AIM: To determine the timing of mortality after onset of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and the course of the disease in a large series of patients. METHODS: From July 1996 to June 2005, all patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan were retrospectively studied. Three thousand two hundred and fifty episodes of acute pancreatitis were recorded in 2248 patients (1431 males and 817 females; median age, 55.6 years; range, 18-97 years). Mortality was divided into two groups: early death (≤ 14 d after admission), and late death (> 14 d after admission). The clinical features of patients in these two groups were compared. RESULTS: Although the overall mortality rate of acute pancreatitis was 3.8% (123/3250), mortality rate of SAP was as high as 16.3% (105/643). Of those 105 SAP mortalities, 44 (41.9%) deaths occurred within the first 14 d after admission and 61 (58.1%) occurred after14 d. Incidence of early death did not significantly differ from that of late death. The co-morbidities did not contribute to the timing of death. Early deaths mainly resulted from multiple organ failure. Late deaths were mainly caused by secondary complication of infected necrosis. Intra- abdominal bleeding significantly caused higher mortality in late death. CONCLUSION: Approximately half (42%) of SAP deaths occur within 14 d and most were due to multiple organ failure. The late deaths of SAP were mostly due to infected necrosis.

Insulin resistance is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C infection

AIM:To elucidate the role of insulin resistance(IR) and serum adiponectin level in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) associated with chronic hepatitis C.METHODS:Clinical and biochemical characteristics were collected from 165 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed HCC.Homeostasis model assessment of IR(HOMA-IR) and serum adiponectin level were investigated in 188 patients with different stages of hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection.RESULTS:Among HCC patients,type 2 diabetics(DM) was more prevalent in HCV subjects(35.6%,n = 59) compared to hepatitis B virus(HBV;12.7%,n = 63) or non-HBV,non-HCV cases(7.1%,n = 28).In patients with chronic hepatitis C,HCC subjects had higher blood sugar(P < 0.001),insulin level(P = 0.003) and HOMAIR(P = 0.018) than those with chronic hepatitis and advanced fibrosis.Age,male sex and body mass index were significantly associated with serum adiponectin level,whereas HOMA-IR was not.Based on stepwise logistic regression analysis,age(OR:1.124,P < 0.001),serum insulin level(OR:1.585,P < 0.001),HOMA-IR(OR:0.495,P = 0.001),DM(OR:11.601,P = 0.002) and male sex(OR:3.877,P = 0.016) were independently associated with HCC.This result was similar even if the diabetic subjects were excluded for analysis.CONCLUSION:Insulin resistance measured by HOMAIR,regardless of the presence of diabetes,is significantly associated with HCC development in patients with chronic HCV infection.