Efficacy of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in combination with corticosteroid for two cases of combined hepatitis C and autoimmune hepatitis

The treatment strategy for cases of combined autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has not yet been established. A 47-year-old woman and a 53-year-old-woman were hospitalized for treatment of CHC. Ultrasonography and histological findings revealed that their liver was not cirrhotic but did have chronic damage. The histological findings of both patients were suggestive of AIH. The patients were systematically treated with pegylated interferon-alpha 2b plus ribavirin which was preceded by and combined with corticosteroid (CS), and showed sustained virological responses and normal liver function. Although these two patients with combined AIH and CHC were successfully treated with this regimen, careful attention to exacerbation of hepatic inflammation is needed because hepatitis C viral load was increased due to immunosuppression during CS treatment

Asymptotic Behavior of Resolvents of a Convergent Sequence of Convex Functions on Complete Geodesic Spaces

The asymptotic behavior of resolvents of a proper convex lower semicontinuous function is studied in the various settings of spaces. In this paper, we consider the asymptotic behavior of the resolvents of a sequence of functions defined in a complete geodesic space. To obtain the result, we assume the Mosco convergence of the sets of minimizers of these functions

Asymptotic Behavior of Resolvents of a Convergent Sequence of Convex Functions on Complete Geodesic Spaces

The asymptotic behavior of resolvents of a proper convex lower semicontinuous function is studied in the various settings of spaces. In this paper, we consider the asymptotic behavior of the resolvents of a sequence of functions defined in a complete geodesic space. To obtain the result, we assume the Mosco convergence of the sets of minimizers of these functions

What Kind of Capsule Endoscope Is Suitable for a Controllable Self-Propelling Capsule Endoscope? Experimental Study Using a Porcine Stomach Model for Clinical Application (with Videos)

<div><p>Background</p><p>We have been developing the Self-Propelling Capsule Endoscope (SPCE) that allows for controllability from outside of the body and real-time observation. What kind of capsule endoscope (CE) is suitable for a controllable SPCE is unclear and a very critical point for clinical application. We compared observing ability of three kinds of SPCEs with different viewing angles and frame rates.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Eleven buttons were sewed in an excised porcine stomach. Four examiners controlled the SPCE using PillCamSB2, -ESO2, and -COLON2 (Given Imaging Ltd., Israel), for 10 minutes each with the aim of detecting as many buttons and examining them as closely as possible. The ability to find lesions was assessed based on the number of detected buttons. The SPCE-performance score (SPS) was used to evaluate the ability to examine the lesions in detail.</p><p>Results</p><p>The SPCE-ESO2, -COLON2, and -SB2 detected 11 [interquartile range (IQR): 0], 10.5 (IQR, 0.5), and 8 (IQR, 1.0) buttons, respectively. The SPCE-ESO2 and -COLON2 had a significantly better ability to detect lesions than the -SB2 (p < 0.05). The SPCE-ESO2, -COLON2, and -SB2 had significantly different SPS values of 22 (IQR, 0), 16.5 (IQR, 1.5), and 14 (IQR, 1.0), respectively (p < 0.05 for all comparisons; SPCE-SB2 vs. -ESO2, -SB2 vs. -COLON2, and -ESO2 vs. -COLON2).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>PillCamESO2 is most suitable in different three CEs for SPCE for examining lesions in detail of the stomach.</p></div

In total, 11 buttons with different colors were sewed to the mucosal side of the porcine stomach model.

<p>The image in the lower right panel is the stomach model, which was opened along the greater curvature after the experiment.</p

Driving system for the self-propelling capsule endoscope (SPCE), which uses a magnetic field (New MiniMermaid system).

<p>Driving system for the self-propelling capsule endoscope (SPCE), which uses a magnetic field (New MiniMermaid system).</p

(a) The body of a self-propelling capsule endoscope (SPCE). (b) A patient undergoes SPCE examination using the New MiniMermaid system. (c) The SPCE maneuver is conducted by a controller.

<p>(a) The body of a self-propelling capsule endoscope (SPCE). (b) A patient undergoes SPCE examination using the New MiniMermaid system. (c) The SPCE maneuver is conducted by a controller.</p