Chang Fy

Current patterns of irritable bowel syndrome in Taiwan: the Rome II questionnaire on a Chinese population

Background : Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition seen in Western countries. In Asia, however, it is less known and even less studied.

Neuronal correlates of gastric pain induced by fundus distension: a 3T-fMRI study.

Visceral hypersensitivity in gastric fundus is a possible pathogenesis for functional dyspepsia. The cortical representation of gastric fundus is still unclear. Growing evidence shows that the insula, but not the primary or secondary somatosensory region (SI or SII), may be the cortical target for visceral pain. Animal studies have also demonstrated that amygdala plays an important role in processing visceral pain. We used fMRI to study central projection of stomach pain from fundus balloon distension. We also tested the hypothesis that there will be neither S1 nor S2 activation, but amygdala activation with the fundus distension. A 3T‐fMRI was performed on 10 healthy subjects during baseline, fullness (12.7 ± 0.6 mmHg) and moderate gastric pain (17.0 ± 0.8 mmHg). fMRI signal was modelled by convolving the predetermined psychophysical response. Statistical comparisons were performed between conditions on a group level. Gastric pain activated a wide range of cortical and subcortical structures, including thalamus and insula, anterior and posterior cingulate cortices, basal ganglia, caudate nuclei, amygdala, brain stem, cerebellum and prefrontal cortex (P < 0.001). A subset of these neuronal substrates was engaged in the central processing of fullness sensation. SI and SII were not activated during the fundus stimulation. In conclusion, the constellation of neuronal structures activated by fundus distension overlaps the pain matrices induced musculocutaneous pain, with the exception of the absence of SI or SII activation. This may account for the vague nature of visceral sensation/pain. Our data also confirms that the insula and amygdala may act as the central role in visceral sensation/pain, as well as in the proposed sensory‐limbic model of learning and memory of pain.

Insulin resistance is a major determinant of sustained virological response in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients receiving peginterferon α-2b plus ribavirin

Background  Cross‐sectional studies suggest insulin resistance is strongly associated with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), which might affect the efficacy of antiviral therapy.

Cirrhotic patients at increased risk of peptic ulcer bleeding: a nationwide population‐based cohort study

Few large population‐based studies have compared the occurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients.

Survival benefit of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 10 cm in diameter

The safety and survival benefit of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for patients with huge hepatocellular carcinoma is uncertain.

Acute renal failure after transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study of the incidence, risk factors, clinical course and long-term outcome

Background : Transarterial chemoembolization is effective for hepatocellular carcinoma. Acute renal failure may occur after transarterial chemoembolization because of radiocontrast agent, but its clinical aspects are unknown.

Detrimental effects of nitric oxide inhibition on hepatic encephalopathy in rats with thioacetamide-induced fulminant hepatic failure.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome seen secondary to acute liver failure, chronic parenchymal liver disease, or portal‐systemic anastomosis. Vasodilatation induced by nitric oxide (NO) may be involved in the development of hepatic coma. However, there are no comprehensive data concerning the effects of NO inhibition on the severity of hepatic encephalopathy.

Gender difference on the symptoms, health-seeking behaviour, social impact and sleep quality in irritable bowel syndrome: a Rome II-based survey in an apparent healthy adult Chinese population in Taiwan.

Background : Little is known about the gender effect on irritable bowel syndrome in Asia.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an independent risk factor for peptic ulcer bleeding: a nationwide population-based study

Peptic ulcer bleeding remains a major healthcare problem despite decreasing prevalence of peptic ulcer disease. The role of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding has not yet been established.

Significance of Rome II-defined functional constipation in Taiwan and comparison with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

The epidemiology and impact of functional constipation on Asians remain unclear.