Background/Aims: To investigate whether serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) can predict the recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection. Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who underwent curative resection for HCC between 2004 and 2015 were eligible for the study. Recurrence was sub-classified as early (<2 years) or late (≥2 years). Results: A total of 170 patients with CHB were selected. During the follow-up period (median, 22.6 months), 64 (37.6%) patients developed recurrence. In multivariate analyses, WFA+-M2BP level was an independent predictor of overall (hazard ratio [HR]=1.490), early (HR=1.667), and late recurrence (HR=1.416), together with male sex, des-gamma carboxyprothrombin level, maximal tumor size, portal vein invasion, and satellite nodules (all P<0.05). However, WFA+- M2BP level was not predictive of grade B-C posthepatectomy liver failure. The cutoff value that maximized the sum of sensitivity (30.2%) and specificity (90.6%) was 2.14 (area under receiver operating characteristic curve=0.632, P=0.010). Patients with a WFA+-M2BP level >2.14 experienced recurrence more frequently than those with a WFA+-M2BP level ≤2.14 (P=0.011 by log-rank test), and had poorer postoperative outcomes than those with a WFA+-M2BP level ≤2.14 in terms of overall recurrence (56.0 vs. 34.5%, P=0.047) and early recurrence (52.0 vs. 20.7%, P=0.001). Conclusions WFA+-M2BP level is an independent predictive factor of HBV-related HCC recurrence after curative resection. Further studies should investigate incorporation of WFA+-M2BP level into tailored postoperative surveillance strategies for patients with CHB.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver stiffness (LS) was assessed using transient elastography, and the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test was performed to accurately assess fibrotic burden. We validated the LS-ELF algorithm and investigated whether the sequential LS-ELF algorithm performs better than concurrent combination of these analyses in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2013, 222 CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy (LB), as well as LS measurement and the ELF test, were enrolled. RESULTS: Advanced fibrosis (≥F3) and cirrhosis (F4) were identified in 141 (63.6%) and 118 (53.2%) patients, respectively. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curve for LS predictions of ≥F3 (0.887 vs 0.703) and F4 (0.853 vs 0.706) were significantly higher than the ELF test (all p < 0.001). Based on the LS-ELF algorithm, 60.4% to 71.6% and 55.7% to 66.3% of patients could have avoided LB to exclude ≥F3 and F4, respectively, whereas 68.0% to 78.7% and 63.5% to 66.1% of patients could have avoided LB to confirm ≥F3 and F4, respectively. When confirmation and exclusion strategies were applied simultaneously, 69.4% to 72.5% and 60.8% to 65.3% of patients could have avoided LB and been diagnosed as ≥F3 and F4, respectively. The proportion of patients who correctly avoided LB for the prediction of ≥F3 (69.4% to 72.5% vs 42.3% to 59.0%) and F4 (60.8% to 65.3% vs 23.9% to 49.5%) based on the sequential LS-ELF algorithm was significantly higher than the concurrent combination (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The sequential LS-ELF algorithm conferred a greater probability of avoiding LB in CHB patients to diagnose advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, and this test performed significantly better than the concurrent combination.
Biopsy ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques* ; Fibrosis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; ROC Curve

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney*

Wound healing is composed of a complex process that requires harmonies of various cell populations where fibroblasts play the main role. Oligomeric procyanidins (OPC) are main components of grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extracts, and recent studies showed OPC's effects on inflammation, cell migration, and proliferation. We investigated the effect of OPC on fibroblasts to regulate wound healing process. Human dermal fibroblast known as Hs27 cells were treated with various concentrations of OPC (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 µg/µl). Cell cytotoxicity was evaluated by the Cell Counting Kit assay, and the expression levels of secreted procollagen were analyzed. Procollagen levels in OPC treated cells exposed to transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) or ascorbic acid were evaluated using Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Relative mRNA expressions of procollagen, molecular chaperone such as HSP47, P4H were determined by real-time PCR in OPC treated cells. OPC showed no cytotoxicity on Hs27 cells at every concentration but inhibited procollagen secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect also appeared under TGF-β1 induced collagen overproduction. Immunocytochemistry showed that higher levels of intracytoplasmic procollagen were accumulated in TGF-β1 treatment group, whereas ascorbic acid induced a release of accumulated procollagen under OPC treatment. The mRNA expressions of procollagen, molecular chaperone were not affected by OPC, but procollagen level was increased when exposed to TGF-β1. OPC inhibits procollagen secretion from fibroblasts with no effects on cell proliferations even under the environment of TGF-b1-induced collagen overproduction. OPC could regulate the diseases and symptoms of abnormal overabundant collagen production.
Ascorbic Acid ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Count ; Cell Movement ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I* ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; Molecular Chaperones ; Proanthocyanidins* ; Procollagen* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Vitis ; Wound Healing

Hepatitis C virus core antigen (HCV Ag) is a recently developed marker of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We investigated the clinical utility of the new HCV Ag assay for prediction of treatment response in HCV infection. We analyzed serum from 92 patients with HCV infection who had been treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. HCV Ag levels were determined at baseline in all enrolled patients and at week 4 in 15 patients. Baseline HCV Ag levels showed good correlations with HCV RNA (r = 0.79, P < 0.001). Mean HCV Ag levels at baseline were significantly lower in patients with a sustained virologic response (SVR) than in those with a non SVR (relapse plus non responder) based on HCV RNA analysis (2.8 log10fmol/L vs. 3.27 log10fmol/L, P = 0.023). Monitoring of the viral kinetics by determination of HCV RNA and HCV Ag levels resulted in similarly shaped curves. Patients with undetectable HCV Ag levels at week 4 had a 92.3% probability of achieving SVR based on HCV RNA assay results. The HCV Ag assay may be used as a supplement for predicting treatment response in HCV infection, but not as an alternative to the HCV RNA assay.
Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Interferons ; Kinetics ; Ribavirin ; RNA

A recent treatment option for non-vital immature teeth in young patients is revascularization with triple antibiotic paste (TAP). However, tooth discoloration was reported with the use of conventional minocycline-containing TAP. In this case report, amoxicillin-containing TAP was used for revascularization of non-vital immature teeth to prevent tooth discoloration. At the 1 yr follow up, the teeth were asymptomatic on clinical examination and showed slight discoloration of the crown due to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) filling rather than amoxicillin-containing TAP. Radiographic examination revealed complete resolution of the periapical radiolucency, and closed apex with obvious periodontal ligament space. However, the root growth was limited, and the treatment outcome was more like apexification rather than revascularization. These results may be due to unstable blood clot formation which could not resist the condensation force of MTA filling, whether or not a collagen matrix was in place. These cases showed that although revascularization was not successful, apexification could be expected, resulting in the resolution of the periapical radiolucency and the closure of the apex. Therefore, it is worthwhile attempting revascularization of non-vital immature teeth in young patients.
Amoxicillin ; Apexification* ; Collagen ; Crowns ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; Tooth Discoloration ; Tooth* ; Treatment Outcome ; Pemetrexed

PURPOSE: Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is a Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor. We investigated whether DKK-1 is related to progression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and HCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), wound healing assays, invasion assays, and ELISAs of patient serum samples were employed. The diagnostic accuracy of the serum DKK-1 ELISA was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under ROC (AUC) analyses. RESULTS: RT-PCR showed high DKK-1 expression in Hep3B and low in 293 cells. Similarly, the secreted DKK-1 concentration in the culture media was high in Hep3B and low in 293 cells. Wound healing and invasion assays using 293, Huh7, and Hep3B cells showed that DKK-1 overexpression promoted cell migration and invasion, whereas DKK-1 knock-down inhibited them. When serum DKK-1 levels were assessed in 370 participants (217 with HCC and 153 without), it was significantly higher in HCC patients than in control groups (median 1.48 ng/mL vs. 0.90 ng/mL, p<0.001). The optimum DKK-1 cutoff level was 1.01 ng/mL (AUC=0.829; sensitivity 90.7%; specificity 62.0%). Although DKK-1 had a higher AUC than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) (AUC=0.829 vs. 0.794 and 0.815, respectively), they were statistically similar (all p>0.05). When three biomarkers were combined (DKK-1 plus AFP plus DCP), they showed significantly higher AUC (AUC=0.952) than single marker, DKK-1 plus AFP, or DKK-1 plus DCP (all p<0.001). CONCLUSION: DKK-1 might be a key regulator in HCC progression and a potential therapeutic target in HCC. Serum DKK-1 could complement the diagnostic accuracy of AFP and DCP.
Area Under Curve ; Biomarkers/blood/metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood/*diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/*blood/*metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms/blood/*diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein Precursors/blood/metabolism ; Prothrombin/metabolism ; ROC Curve ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis/metabolism

BACKGROUND: Studies on factors which may predict the risk of diabetes are scarce. This prospective cohort study was conducted to determine the association between adiponectin and type 2 diabetes among Korean men and women. METHODS: A total of 42,845 participants who visited one of seven health examination centers located in Seoul and Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea between 2004 and 2008 were included in this study. The incidence rates of diabetes were determined through December 2011. To evaluate the effects of adiponectin on type 2 diabetes, the Cox proportional hazard model was used. RESULTS: Of the 40,005 participants, 959 developed type 2 diabetes during a 6-year follow-up. After the adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference, the risks for type 2 diabetes in participants with normoglycemia had a 1.70-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 2.38) increase in men and a 1.83-fold (95% CI, 1.17 to 2.86) increase in women with the lowest tertile of adiponectin when compared to the highest tertile of adiponectin. For participants with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), the risk for type 2 diabetes had a 1.46-fold (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.83) increase in men and a 2.52-fold (95% CI, 1.57 to 4.06) increase in women with the lowest tertile of adiponectin. Except for female participants with normoglycemia, all the risks remained significant after the adjustment for fasting glucose and other confounding variables. Surprisingly, BMI and waist circumference were not predictors of type 2 diabetes in men or women with IFG after adjustment for fasting glucose and other confounders. CONCLUSION: A strong association between adiponectin and diabetes was observed. The use of adiponectin as a predictor of type 2 diabetes is considered to be useful.
Adiponectin ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fasting ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: The safety and the feasibility of performing laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) have not yet been established. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery performed after preoperative CRT. METHODS: We enrolled 124 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Of these patients, 56 received preoperative CRT (CRT group), whereas 68 did not (non-CRT group). The patients who were found to have distant metastasis and open conversion during surgery were excluded. The clinicopathologic parameters were evaluated and the short-term outcomes were compared between the CRT and non-CRT groups. RESULTS: The mean operation time was longer in the CRT group (294 minutes; range, 140 to 485 minutes; P = 0.004). In the non-CRT group, the tumor sizes were larger (mean, 4.0 cm; range, 1.2 to 8.0 cm; P < 0.001) and more lymph nodes were harvested (mean, 12.9; range, 0 to 35; P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in time to first bowel movement, tolerance of a soft diet, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complication rate. CONCLUSION: Performing laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer after preoperative CRT may be safe and feasible if performed by a highly skilled laparoscopic surgeon. Randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up studies are necessary to support our results.
Chemoradiotherapy ; Diet ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectal Neoplasms