No abstract available.
Cystitis* ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver*

INTRODUCTIONLittle was known about the association between colorectal adenomas and cardiovascular risk factors in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to assess the association between rectosigmoid adenomas and related factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study. We analysed subjects receiving self-referred health examinations at 1 medical centre in Taiwan between 2001 and 2004. In total, 4413 subjects were enrolled in this study. There were 2444 men (55.4%) and 1969 women (44.6%). The mean age was 49.3 +/-12.3 years (range, 20 to 87). All subjects underwent a 60-cm flexible sigmoidoscopic examination and laboratory survey. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were expressed using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSIn the fi nal model, increasing age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.06), hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.07-2.07), and alcohol consumption (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.47-3.04) were the risk factors for rectosigmoid adenomas in men. Increasing age was the only risk factor for rectosigmoid adenomas in women (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06).

CONCLUSIONAge, hypertriglyceridemia and alcohol consumption are associated with rectosigmoid adenomas in men, and only age is significantly associated with rectosigmoid adenomas in women.

Adenoma ; complications ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; complications ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Rectal Neoplasms ; complications ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Sigmoid Neoplasms ; complications ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that DNA methylation of development-related genes may occur in endometrial cancer (EC)/ovarian cancer (OC) and may be detected in cervical scrapings. METHODS: We tested methylation status by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction for 14 genes in DNA pools of endometrial and OC tissues. Tissues of EC/normal endometrium, OC/normal ovary, were verified in training set using cervical scrapings of 10 EC/10 OC patients and 10 controls, and further validated in the testing set using independent cervical scrapings in 30 EC/30 OC patients and 30 controls. We generated cutoff values of methylation index (M-index) from cervical scrapings to distinguish between cancer patients and control. Sensitivity/specificity of DNA methylation biomarkers in detecting EC and OC was calculated. RESULTS: Of 14 genes, 4 (PTGDR, HS3ST2, POU4F3, MAGI2) showed hypermethylation in EC and OC tissues, and were verified in training set. POU4F3 and MAGI2 exhibited hypermethylation in training set were validated in independent cases. The mean M-index of POU4F3 is 78.28 in EC and 20.36 in OC, which are higher than that in controls (6.59; p<0.001 and p=0.100, respectively), and that of MAGI2 is 246.0 in EC and 12.2 in OC, which is significantly higher that than in controls (2.85; p<0.001 and p=0.480, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity of POU4F3/MAGI2 were 83%–90% and 69%–75% for detection of EC, and 61% and 62%–69% for the detection of OC. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate the potential of EC/OC detection through testing for DNA methylation in cervical scrapings.
Biomarkers ; DNA Methylation ; DNA ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Endometrium ; Female ; Humans ; Methylation ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: Hypermethylation of human papillomavirus (HPV) and host genes has been reported in cervical cancer. However, the degree of methylation of different HPV types relative to the severity of the cervical lesions remains controversial. Studies of the degree of methylation associated with the host gene and the HPV genome to the severity of cervical lesions are rare. We examined the association of methylation status between host genes and late gene 1 (L1) regions of HPV16, 18, 52, and 58 in cervical brushings. METHODS: Cervical brushings from 147 HPV-infected patients were obtained. The samples comprised normal (n=28), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 (n=45), CIN2 (n=13), and CIN3/carcinoma in situ (n=61). The methylation status of HPV and host genes was measured using bisulfite pyrosequencing and quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The degree of methylation of L1 in HPV16, 18, and 52 was associated with the severity of the cervical lesion. In HPV52, C-phosphate-G (CpG) sites 6368m, 6405m, and 6443m showed significantly higher methylation in lesions ≥CIN3 (p=0.005, 0.003, and 0.026, respectively). Methylation of most HPV types except HPV52 (r<−0.1) was positively correlated with the degree of methylation of host genes including PAX1 and SOX1 (0.4≤r≤0.7). Combining HPV methylation with PAX1 methylation improved the clustering for ≥CIN2. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the degree of L1 methylation of HPV16, 18, and 52 but not 58 is associated with the severity of cervical lesions. The association between HPV methylation and host gene methylation suggests different responses of host cellular epigenetic machinery to different HPV genotypes.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenomics ; Genome ; Genotype ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Humans ; Methylation* ; Papillomaviridae ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Interleukin (IL)-20, a proinflammatory cytokine of the IL-10 family, is involved in acute and chronic renal failure. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of IL-20 during diabetic nephropathy development. We found that IL-20 and its receptor IL-20R1 were upregulated in the kidneys of mice and rats with STZ-induced diabetes. In vitro, IL-20 induced MMP-9, MCP-1, TGF-β1 and VEGF expression in podocytes. IL-20 was upregulated by hydrogen peroxide, high-dose glucose and TGF-β1. In addition, IL-20 induced apoptosis in podocytes by activating caspase-8. In STZ-induced early diabetic nephropathy, IL-20R1-deficient mice had lower blood glucose and serum BUN levels and a smaller glomerular area than did wild-type controls. Anti-IL-20 monoclonal antibody (7E) treatment reduced blood glucose and the glomerular area and improved renal functions in mice in the early stage of STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy. ELISA showed that the serum IL-20 level was higher in patients with diabetes mellitus than in healthy controls. The findings of this study suggest that IL-20 induces cell apoptosis of podocytes and plays a role in the pathogenesis of early diabetic nephropathy.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blood Glucose ; Caspase 8 ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Nephropathies* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukins ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mice ; Podocytes* ; Rats ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVEAccuracy of diagnostic methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among patients with bleeding peptic ulcers has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic tests and their combined usage in detection of H. pylori infection in patients with bleeding gastric ulcers and without the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

METHODSA total of 57 patients who presented with bleeding gastric ulcers by endoscopy were enrolled. The status of H. pylori was identified by performing the rapid urease test (RUT), histology and (13)C-labeled urea breath test (UBT). The criteria for having H. pylori infection was a minimum of two positive tests.

RESULTSThe prevalence of H. pylori infection in our patient group was 80.7%. Among the three tests used: RUT, histology, and UBT, sensitivities were 56.5%, 97.8% and 100%, while specificities were 100%, 45.5% and 81.8%, respectively. The overall accuracies of the tests were 78.3%, 71.6% and 90.9%, respectively. Although UBT obtained significantly higher accuracy than histology (P = 0.02) as opposed to RUT (P = 0.11), UBT had significantly higher sensitivity than RUT (P < 0.001). In terms of combining any two of the three tests, more accuracy (98.9%) was achieved when both UBT and histology were used to confirm the diagnosis of the other. Conversely, failure to use combined tests generated the potential of missing a proper H. pylori diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONSUBT is superior to the other two tests in bleeding gastric ulcers. RUT lacks sensitivity for detection of H. pylori infection. However, the concomitant use of UBT and histology seems to be more accurate when gastric ulcers present with bleeding.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breath Tests ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage ; complications ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Ulcer ; complications ; Urea

Purpose: Both primary and revisional bariatric surgery are on the rise due to global obesity pandemic. This study aimed to assess the indications for revision after one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and the outcomes after laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB). Materials and Methods: Retrospective review on patients that had undergone conversion of OAGB to RYGB between June 2007-June 2019 in a tertiary bariatric center, followed by literature review. Results: Out of 386 revisional bariatric surgery, a total of 14 patients underwent laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to RYGB. The mean age was 44.7 with 71% female. The mean pre-revision BMI was 29.2 kg/m2 . The primary indications for revision were bile reflux (n=7), marginal ulcer (n=3), inadequate weight loss or weight regain (IWL/WR) (n=3) and protein-calorie malnutrition (n=1). Conversion of OAGB to RYGB was completed laparoscopically in all cases.The mean length of stay was 4.1 days. There was no intraoperative or early post-operative complication. The mean total weight loss (rTWL%) after revision at year one, year three and year five post-revision were 11.5%, 18.1% and 29.1%, respectively. All patients achieved resolution of bile reflux and marginal ulcer. There was no mortality in this cohort. Conclusion Bile reflux, marginal ulcer, IWL/WR and malnutrition were the main indications for revision after OAGB in this study. In concordance with the available evidence, laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to RYGB was safe and effective in dealing with late complications of OAGB.

Purpose: Both primary and revisional bariatric surgery are on the rise due to global obesity pandemic. This study aimed to assess the indications for revision after one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and the outcomes after laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB). Materials and Methods: Retrospective review on patients that had undergone conversion of OAGB to RYGB between June 2007-June 2019 in a tertiary bariatric center, followed by literature review. Results: Out of 386 revisional bariatric surgery, a total of 14 patients underwent laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to RYGB. The mean age was 44.7 with 71% female. The mean pre-revision BMI was 29.2 kg/m2 . The primary indications for revision were bile reflux (n=7), marginal ulcer (n=3), inadequate weight loss or weight regain (IWL/WR) (n=3) and protein-calorie malnutrition (n=1). Conversion of OAGB to RYGB was completed laparoscopically in all cases.The mean length of stay was 4.1 days. There was no intraoperative or early post-operative complication. The mean total weight loss (rTWL%) after revision at year one, year three and year five post-revision were 11.5%, 18.1% and 29.1%, respectively. All patients achieved resolution of bile reflux and marginal ulcer. There was no mortality in this cohort. Conclusion Bile reflux, marginal ulcer, IWL/WR and malnutrition were the main indications for revision after OAGB in this study. In concordance with the available evidence, laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to RYGB was safe and effective in dealing with late complications of OAGB.

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who failed antiviral therapy are at increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the potential role of metformin and statins, medications for diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperlipidemia (HLP), in reducing HCC risk among these patients. Methods: We included CHC patients from the T-COACH study who failed antiviral therapy. We tracked the onset of HCC 1.5 years post-therapy by linking to Taiwan’s cancer registry data from 2003 to 2019. We accounted for death and liver transplantation as competing risks and employed Gray’s cumulative incidence and Cox subdistribution hazards models to analyze HCC development. Results: Out of 2,779 patients, 480 (17.3%) developed HCC post-therapy. DM patients not using metformin had a 51% increased risk of HCC compared to non-DM patients, while HLP patients on statins had a 50% reduced risk compared to those without HLP. The 5-year HCC incidence was significantly higher for metformin non-users (16.5%) versus non-DM patients (11.3%; adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio [aSHR]=1.51; P=0.007) and metformin users (3.1%; aSHR=1.59; P=0.022). Statin use in HLP patients correlated with a lower HCC risk (3.8%) compared to non-HLP patients (12.5%; aSHR=0.50; P<0.001). Notably, the increased HCC risk associated with non-use of metformin was primarily seen in non-cirrhotic patients, whereas statins decreased HCC risk in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. Conclusions Metformin and statins may have a chemopreventive effect against HCC in CHC patients who failed antiviral therapy. These results support the need for personalized preventive strategies in managing HCC risk.

Background/Aims: Real-world studies assessing the effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) plus ribavirin (RBV) for Child-Pugh B/C hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis are limited. Methods: We included 107 patients with Child-Pugh B/C HCV-related cirrhosis receiving SOF/VEL plus RBV for 12 weeks in Taiwan. The sustained virologic response rates at off-treatment week 12 (SVR12) for the evaluable population (EP), modified EP, and per-protocol population (PP) were assessed. Thesafety profiles were reported. Results: The SVR12 rates in the EP, modified EP and PP were 89.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 82.5–94.2%), 94.1% (95% CI, 87.8–97.3%), and 100% (95% CI, 96.2–100%). Number of patients who failed to achieve SVR12 were attributed to virologic failures. The SVR12 rates were comparable regardless of patient characteristics. One patient discontinued treatment because of adverse events (AEs). Twenty-four patients had serious AEs and six died, but none were related to SOF/VEL or RBV. Among the 96 patients achieving SVR12, 84.4% and 64.6% had improved Child-Pugh and model for endstage liver disease (MELD) scores. Multivariate analysis revealed that a baseline MELD score ≥15 was associated with an improved MELD score of ≥3 (odds ratio, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.16–14.71; P=0.02). Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1 had more significant estimated glomerular filtration rate declines than patients with CKD stage 2 (-0.42 mL/min/1.73 m2/month; P=0.01) or stage 3 (-0.56 mL/min/1.73 m2/month; P<0.001). Conclusions SOF/VEL plus RBV for 12 weeks is efficacious and well-tolerated for Child-Pugh B/C HCV-related cirrhosis.