Background Water avoidance stress (WAS) induces a naloxone-independent visceral analgesia in male rats under non-invasive conditions of monitoring. The objective of the study was to examine the role of brain CRF signaling in acute stress-induced visceral analgesia (SIVA). Methods Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically implanted with an intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannula. The visceromotor response (VMR) to graded phasic colorectal distension (CRD: 10, 20, 40, 60 mm Hg, 20 seconds, 4 minutes intervals) was monitored using manometry. The VMR to a first CRD (baseline) was recorded 5 minutes after an ICV saline injection, followed 1 hour later by ICV injection of either CRF (30, 100, or 300 ng and 1, 3, or 5 mu g/rat) or saline and a second CRD, 5 minutes later. Receptor antagonists against CRF1/CRF2 (astressin-B, 30 mu g/rat), CRF2 (astressin(2)-B, 10 mu g/rat), oxytocin (tocinoic acid, 20 mu g/rat), or vehicle were injected ICV 5 minutes before CRF (300 ng/rat, ICV) or 15 minutes before WAS (1 hour). Key Results ICV CRF (100 and 300 ng) reduced the VMR to CRD at 60 mm Hg by -36.6% +/- 6.8% and -48.7% +/- 11.7%, respectively, vs baseline (P < 0.001), while other doses had no effect and IP CRF (10 mu g/kg) induced visceral hyperalgesia. Astressin-B and tocinoic acid injected ICV induced hyperalgesia and prevented the analgesic effect of ICV CRF (300 ng/rat) and WAS, while astressin(2)-B only blocked WAS-induced SIVA. Conclusions & Inferences These data support a role for brain CRF signaling via CRF2 in SIVA in a model of WAS and CRD likely mediated by the activation of brain oxytocin pathway.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a distinct subtype of pancreatitis, which is classified into type 1 and 2 based on the clinicopathological features. According to the international consensus diagnostic criteria, pancreas resection or core biopsy specimens are recommended to make an accurate histological evaluation. However, the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) for histological evaluation has also been reported. Furthermore, the simultaneous presentation of type 2 AIP and Crohn's disease (CD) is very rare, especially in the Asian population. Therefore, we herein report a case of type 2 AIP with CD, which was diagnosed using EUS guided FNA with a 22-gauge needle.

Pancreatic metastasis is extremely rare, particularly from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Studies on the role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) with liquid-based cytology (LBC) in the diagnosis of metastatic small-cell carcinoma in the pancreas have been rarely conducted. We report herein a case of pancreatic metastasis from SCLC diagnosed using EUS-FNA with LBC (ThinPrep). A 71-year-old man presented with chief complaints of hemoptysis and jaundice over the past 1 month. Lung & pancreas tumors with multiple liver nodules were detected on computed tomography. The aspirated material from the pancreas using EUS-FNA was prepared as a cytologic specimen with ThinPrep method, which revealed scattered and clustered "small blue cells" with scant cytoplasm and stippled chromatin with frequent apoptotic bodies. Immunocytochemical staining of the cellblock material revealed strong positivity for CD56 and thyroid transcription factor-1. Endobronchial biopsy for lung mass revealed nests of small, round, blue tumor cells with hyperchromatic nuclei showing salt and pepper chromatin, scant cytoplasm, and brisk mitotic activity. Therefore, a diagnosis of metastatic small-cell carcinoma to the pancreas with an extensive stage was finally made.

Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, 170, Juhwa-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 10380, Korea Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea Department of Internal Medicine, Bundang Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) and to elucidate its predictive factors. The medical records of patients with AHRU were retrospectively reviewed. Their baseline clinical characteristics were compared with those of patients with non-AHRU lower gastrointestinal bleeding to identify predictive factors for AHRU. Among the 118 patients who underwent emergency endoscopy due to acute massive hematochezia from 2013 to 2015, 25 (21.2%) were diagnosed as having AHRU. Of them, 22 (88.0%) were successfully managed endoscopically and 3 (12.0%) underwent surgery. Six (24.0%) patients developed rebleeding within 1–9 days after the initial bleeding, which was controlled by a repeat endoscopy. Five (20.0%) died during follow-up. A multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that a lower serum albumin level, worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and history of constipation were significant factors for predicting AHRU. Hypoalbuminemia (<30 g/L) had a sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of 84.0%, 78.5%, 51.2% and 94.8% for predicting AHRU, respectively. Approximately 20% of patients with massive hematochezia had AHRU. Most patients with AHRU can be managed endoscopically. Low serum albumin level, poor ECOG performance status and prior constipation could be used in distinguishing patients with and without AHRU, facilitating the selection of optimal bowel preparation method for massive hematochezia.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) and to elucidate its predictive factors.METHODSThe medical records of patients with AHRU were retrospectively reviewed. Their baseline clinical characteristics were compared with those of patients with non-AHRU lower gastrointestinal bleeding to identify predictive factors for AHRU.RESULTSAmong the 118 patients who underwent emergency endoscopy due to acute massive hematochezia from 2013 to 2015, 25 (21.2%) were diagnosed as having AHRU. Of them, 22 (88.0%) were successfully managed endoscopically and 3 (12.0%) underwent surgery. Six (24.0%) patients developed rebleeding within 1-9 days after the initial bleeding, which was controlled by a repeat endoscopy. Five (20.0%) died during follow-up. A multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that a lower serum albumin level, worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and history of constipation were significant factors for predicting AHRU. Hypoalbuminemia (<30 g/L) had a sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of 84.0%, 78.5%, 51.2% and 94.8% for predicting AHRU, respectively.CONCLUSIONSApproximately 20% of patients with massive hematochezia had AHRU. Most patients with AHRU can be managed endoscopically. Low serum albumin level, poor ECOG performance status and prior constipation could be used in distinguishing patients with and without AHRU, facilitating the selection of optimal bowel preparation method for massive hematochezia.

이준성 서 론 내시경 역행 췌담관조영술(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)은 각종 췌담관질환에서 치료목적으로 흔히 시행되는 시술이나, 내시경 역행 췌담관조영술에 있어 필수적인 선택적 삽관술의 성공률은 85-95% 정도로 보고되 고 있다. 1 담관의 선택적 삽관 성공률을 높이기 위하여 침형 절개도를 이용한 조임근절개술(sphincterotomy), 이중 유도 철사 기술(double guide wire technique), 경췌중격절개술 (transpancreatic septotomy), 점막내 절개 기술(intramucosal incision technique)

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma may account for more than 80% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Occasionally, other rare tumors such as lymphoma, metastatic tumor, and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm can be considered in the differential diagnosis. We report the case of an 82-year-old man with a pancreatic solid mass. This case suggests that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with biopsy, that is, EUS-FNA is recommended in the differential diagnosis of the pancreatic solid mass apart from pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In particular, the histologic core obtained by EUS-guided biopsy is helpful for the immunostaining of molecular markers to confirm the final diagnosis.

A 57-year-old man with chronic kidney disease and a history of using numerous herbal medications visited Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital for abdominal pain and vomiting. An abdominal radiograph showed diffuse small bowel distension containing multiple air-fluid levels and extensive calcifications along the colon. Computed tomography showed colon wall thickening with diffuse calcification along the colonic mesenteric vein and colonic wall. Colonoscopy, performed without bowel preparation, showed bluish edematous mucosa from the transverse to the distal sigmoid colon, with multiple scar changes. At the mid transverse colon, a stricture was noted and the scope could not pass through. A biopsy of the stricture site revealed nonspecific changes. The patient was diagnosed with phlebosclerotic colitis. After the colonoscopy, the obstructive ileus spontaneously resolved, and the patient was discharged without an operation. Currently, after 2 months of follow-up, the patient has remained asymptomatic. Herein, we report the rare case of an obstructive ileus caused by phlebosclerotic colitis with a colon stricture.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Combination therapy of pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-α) and ribavirin (RBV) is a current standard treatment for chronic HCV infection in Korea, which has considerable adverse effects. Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of PEG-IFN-α administration. We report a case of a 62-year-old female who experienced acute pancreatitis after 4 weeks of PEG-IFN-α-2a and RBV combination therapy for chronic HCV infection. The main cause of the acute pancreatitis in this case was probably PEG-IFN-α rather than RBV for several reasons. A few cases have been reported in which acute pancreatitis occurred during treatment with PEG-IFN-α-2b. This is the first report of acute pancreatitis associated with PEG-IFN-α-2a in Korea.

BACKGROUND/AIMS:The clinical outcome of patients with a partial virological response (PVR) to entecavir (ETV), in particular nucloes(t)ide analogue (NA)-experienced patients, has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess long-term outcomes in NA-naive and NA-experienced chronic hepatitis B patients with a PVR to ETV.METHODS:Chronic hepatitis B patients treated with ETV (0.5 mg/day) for at least 1 year were enrolled retrospectively. PVR was defined as a decrease in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA titer of more than 2 log10 IU/mL, yet with residual serum HBV DNA, as determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction, at week 48 of ETV therapy.RESULTS:A total of 202 patients (127 NA-naive and 75 NA-experienced, male 70.8%, antigen positive 53.2%, baseline serum HBV DNA 6.2 ± 1.5 log10 IU/mL) were analyzed. Twenty-eight patients demonstrated a PVR. The PVR was associated with a high serum HBV DNA titer at baseline and at week 24. Virological response (< 60 IU/mL) was achieved in 46.2%, 61.5%, 77.6%, and 85% of patients with PVR at week 72, 96, 144, and 192, respectively. Resistance to antivirals developed in two NA-experienced patients. Failure of virological response (VR) in patients with PVR was associated with high levels of serum HBV DNA at week 48.CONCLUSIONS:Patients with PVR to ETV had favorable long-term virological outcomes. The low serum level of HBV DNA (< 200 IU/mL) at week 48 was associated with subsequent development of a VR in patients with PVR to ETV.

BACKGROUND/AIMS:This study investigated the antiviral effects of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) monotherapy in nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-naive and NA-experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.METHODS:CHB patients treated with TDF monotherapy (300 mg/day) for ≥12 weeks between December 2012 and July 2014 at a single center were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical, biochemical, and virological parameters were assessed every 12 weeks.RESULTS:In total, 136 patients (median age 49 years, 96 males, 94 HBeAg positive, and 51 with liver cirrhosis) were included. Sixty-two patients were nucleos(t)ide (NA)-naïve, and 74 patients had prior NA therapy (NA-exp group), and 31 patients in the NA-exp group had lamivudine (LAM)-resistance (LAM-R group). The baseline serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level was 4.9±2.3 log IU/mL (mean±SD), and was higher in the NA-naïve group than in the NA-exp and LAM-R groups (5.9±2.0 log IU/mL vs 3.9±2.0 log IU/mL vs 4.2±1.7 log IU/mL, P<0.01). The complete virological response (CVR) rate at week 48 in the NA-naïve group (71.4%) did not differ significantly from those in the NA-exp (71.3%) and LAM-R (66.1%) groups. In multivariate analysis, baseline serum HBV DNA was the only predictive factor for a CVR at week 48 (hazard ratio, 0.809; 95% confidence interval, 0.729-0.898), while the CVR rate did not differ with the NA experience.CONCLUSIONS:TDF monotherapy was effective for CHB treatment irrespective of prior NA treatment or LAM resistance. Baseline serum HBV DNA was the independent predictive factor for a CVR.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of this study was to compare the survival in elderly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with curative modalities (radiofrequency ablation (RFA), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEIT) and surgery) to those treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and supportive care. METHODOLOGY Medical records of patients with HCC older than 75 years who had visited a single tertiary medical center from January 2000 to December 2011 were reviewed (n = 58). Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for mortality with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS Twenty-nine patients were treated by TACE, 19 patients by supportive care, and 10 patients by curative treatment (four by PEIT, three by surgery and three by RFA).Variables associated with increased survival were better Child-Pugh class and lower TNM stage. Treatment with curative intent showed significant survival benefit compared to TACE (HR for mortality, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.95). In a subgroup analysis among patients with resectable HCC, supportive care showed significantly worse survival over TACE (HR for mortality, 6.47; 95% CI, 2.14-19.56) and curative intent (HR for mortality, 16.23; 95% CI, 1.92-136.83). CONCLUSIONS Curative treatment seems to have a better survival benefit in comparison with other treatment modalities in elderly HCC patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS:Adequate screening colonoscopy in the general population decreases the mortality associated with colorectal cancer through detection and removal of adenomatous polyps. Prolonged colonoscopic withdrawal times (>6 min) are reportedly beneficial for adenoma detection rates (ADRs). However, the quality of the endoscopist compared with colonoscopic withdrawal times is not known. The aims of this study were to investigate the difference in ADRs between trainees and experienced examiners.METHODS:A total of 967 consecutive patients who underwent screening colonoscopy in a single University hospital from June 2010 to November 2011 were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Colonoscopy was performed by four experienced staff and seven gastroenterology fellows.RESULTS:Seven gastroenterology fellows performed 633 colonoscopies and four experienced staff performed 334 colonoscopies. The overall detection rates of colorectal adenoma were 31.5% with ADRs of fellows and staff of 29.4% and 35.6%, respectively (p=0.047). Fellows also showed lower advanced ADRs (5.7% vs. 9.9%, p=0.016), and fellows had longer mean withdrawal times than staff (12.4±B1;4.9 min vs. 8.2±B1;4.1 min, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed significantly increased ADRs and advanced ADRs for staff compared with fellows (adjusted OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.70-3.43; adjusted OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.47-4.45, respectively).CONCLUSIONS:ADRs were significantly lower when colonoscopy was performed by trainees, although withdrawal times were longer than those of staff. Our results demonstrated that the quality of colonoscopy, as measured by ADRs, may be improved by experienced examiners.