Other specific amino acid residues in the DRβchain appear to contribute to susceptibility or resistance to PBC. Genome-wide analysis and resequencing of the entire HLA region will be necessary to provide more precise genetic information on susceptibility to PBC in Japan. The authors thank Yuki Akahane and Asami Yamazaki for their technical assistance, and Trevor Ralph for his editorial assistance. Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article. “
“Aim:  This study was conducted to clarify the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the factors contributing to its occurrence by following chronic hepatitis C patients who received pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) α-2b

plus

ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy. Methods:  Patients who received PEG-IFN GSK2126458 nmr α-2b and RBV combination therapy with no history of HCC or HCC within 3 months after the start of treatment were observed for the onset of HCC at 67 centers. Results:  Sustained virological response (SVR) was observed in 999 (53.5%) of 1865 patients eligible for analysis. During the observation period (median duration: 4 years and 3 months), HCC developed in 59 patients (3.1%). A significant difference was observed in the 5-year cumulative incidence of HCC between SVR and non-SVR patients (1.1% vs. 7.1%). Factors contributing to HCC selected in multivariate analysis were therapeutic efficacy, sex, age, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level at 24 weeks

after the end of treatment, and platelet count. Non-SVR patients with Y-27632 in vitro ALT improvement after the end of treatment had a significantly Small molecule library in vitro lower 5-year cumulative incidence of HCC than those without (3.4% vs. 11.0%). HCC developed in 10 patients who achieved SVR, and multivariate analysis indicated that ALT level at 24 weeks after the end of treatment was the only significant factor contributing to HCC. Conclusion:  Several known risk factors for HCC contributed to HCC in patients who received PEG-IFN α-2b and RBV combination therapy, and ALT abnormality after the end of treatment contributes to the onset of HCC in both non-SVR and SVR patients. “
“Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) refers to a motor abnormality of the sphincter of Oddi, typically resulting in a hypertonic sphincter, and may be manifested clinically by chronic abdominal pain, pancreatitis, or abnormal liver function tests. In this review, we discuss the classification systems typically used in SOD, as well as the epidemiology of this controversial disease. The diagnostic criteria for SOD are presented, and the evaluation of patients with suspected SOD is reviewed. Both non-invasive and invasive diagnostic methods are discussed. Sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) is the only available method to measure motor activity directly, and is considered to be the gold standard for evaluating patients for SOD. Indications, performance, and complications of this technique are reviewed.