Fig 1 -

Prototype of the newly developed multi-hole balloon catheter equipped with a 30-mm long balloon of 6, 8, or 10 mm diameter, which has 600 holes of 10 μm diameter on two-thirds of the surface on the distal side of the balloon (A). When ethanol is injected into the balloon, the balloon expands initially until the full size is achieved; subsequently, a small amount of ethanol gradually oozes out of the balloon through the holes (B).</p

Bench test of the novel multi-hole balloon catheter.

Bench test of the novel multi-hole balloon catheter.</p

Fig 4 -

Microscopic examination shows epithelial sloughing (arrow) and necrosis with denaturation (arrowheads) at the site of ablation, which has replaced the granulation tissue and fibrotic changes (asterisk); A, B, hematoxylin & eosin; C, Masson’s trichrome.</p

The mucosa at the site of ablation shows the formation of scar stricture on macroscopic examination 35 days after ethanol ablation.

The mucosa at the site of ablation shows the formation of scar stricture on macroscopic examination 35 days after ethanol ablation.</p

Cholangioscopic view before and 35 days after ethanol ablation in the swine model.

Cholangioscopic view before and 35 days after ethanol ablation in the swine model.</p

Fig 2 -

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography images obtained before (A) and 35 days after (B) ethanol ablation. Stricture formation is observed at the ablated site, and dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct is observed 35 days after ablation.</p

Details and outcomes of endoscopic biliary ethanol ablation.

Details and outcomes of endoscopic biliary ethanol ablation.</p

Influence of hiatal hernia and male sex on the relationship between alcohol intake and occurrence of Barrett’s esophagus

<div><p>Background</p><p>The association of alcohol intake with the incidence of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) has been inconsistent. Although hiatal hernia and male sex are well-known risk factors of BE, its effect on the association of alcohol intake with the incidence of BE remains unknown.</p><p>Aim</p><p>To investigate whether the influence of alcohol intake on the occurrence of BE might differ depending on male sex and presence of hiatal hernia.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We utilized a database of 8031 patients that underwent upper endoscopy for health screening in a prospective, multicenter, cohort study (the Upper Gastro Intestinal Disease study). The incidence of endoscopic columnar-lined esophagus (eCLE; endoscopically diagnosed BE) was the outcome variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between alcohol intake and eCLE stratified by male sex and hiatal hernia, adjusting for clinical features and other potential confounders.</p><p>Results</p><p>Alcohol intake (≥20 g/day) showed a marginally significant association with the incidence of eCLE in participants without hiatal hernia (0 vs. ≥20 g/day; odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92–2.85, <i>P</i> = 0.09) but not in participants with hiatal hernia (0 vs. ≥20/day; OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.59–1.65; <i>P</i> = 0.95). Furthermore, alcohol intake (≥20 g/day) was significantly associated with the incidence of eCLE in male participants without hiatal hernia (0 vs. ≥20 g/day; OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.04–4.03; <i>P</i> = 0.04) but not in female participants without hiatal hernia (0 vs. ≥20 g/day; OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.03–2.37; <i>P</i> = 0.42).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The effect of alcohol intake on the incidence of eCLE might be associated with hiatal hernia status and male sex.</p></div

Logistic regression analysis to assess the association between alcohol consumption and the occurrence of endoscopic columnar-lined esophagus stratified by hiatal hernia status in female participants.

<p>Logistic regression analysis to assess the association between alcohol consumption and the occurrence of endoscopic columnar-lined esophagus stratified by hiatal hernia status in female participants.</p

Characteristics of participants in UGID study.

<p>Characteristics of participants in UGID study.</p