During the 15-month follow-up period, the patient’s oral conditio

During the 15-month follow-up period, the patient’s oral condition and physical appearance improved, and no complications occurred. “
“Ocular disorders occasionally necessitate surgical intervention that may lead to eye defects. The primary objective in restoring and rehabilitating such defects with an ocular prosthesis is to enable patients to cope better with associated psychological stress and to return to their accustomed lifestyle. A series of detailed steps for custom-made ocular prosthesis fabrication using the advantages of digital photography to replace the conventional oil paint and monopoly iris painting technique are presented

in this article. In the present case, a digital photograph of the patient’s iris was captured using a digital camera and manipulated on a computer using graphic this website software to produce a replica of the natural iris. The described technique reduces treatment time, increases simplicity, and permits

the patient’s natural iris to be replicated without the need for iris painting and special artistic skills. “
“Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture strength of experimental hollow and solid design zirconia dowels. Materials and Methods: Three types of dowels (fiber-reinforced composite [FRC], hollow design, and solid design zirconia dowels) were tested in the study (n = 10). A three-point Romidepsin concentration bending method was conducted, and a load was applied until fracture. The values were recorded as Newtons (N) and then converted to megapascals (MPa) according to the diameter of the dowels. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. The significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean fracture strength of the hollow design

zirconia dowels was significantly higher (960.72 MPa) than solid zirconia dowels (741.78 MPa) and FRC dowels (687.64 MPa) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The hollow design zirconia dowel seems to have sufficient fracture strength for anterior restorations. This design may be beneficial to access the apical region when retreatment is necessary, without any dowel-removing procedure. "
“The aim of this study was to evaluate the photoelastic fringe patterns around two short-wide implants supporting single crowns with different crown-to-implant (C/I) ratios. External hexagon medchemexpress (EH) cylindrical implants (5 × 7 mm) or Morse Taper (MT) conical implants (5 × 6 mm) were embedded individually into photoelastic resin blocks. Each implant received a single metal-ceramic crown, with a C/I ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 (n = 10). Each set was positioned in a polariscope and submitted to a 0.5 kgf compressive load, applied axially or obliquely (30°). The polariscope images were digitally recorded, and based on isoclinal and isochromatic fringes, the shear stress was calculated at 5 predetermined points around each implant. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA (α = 0.05).

The forward progress of the association reflects the newer method

The forward progress of the association reflects the newer methods of modeling, a deeper understanding of mediators involved in the association, a heightened knowledge of the role of hepatic macrophages in the process, and the further development of potential modifiers of endotoxin injury. Although endotoxin is the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, and the core lipid A is the toxic moiety, the terms lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and endotoxin will be used interchangeably for this toxic material. Based on our work and that of other investigators, who demonstrated a marked increase GPCR Compound Library order in sensitivity to LPS in livers impaired by hepatotoxins, the hypothesis of the importance of intestinal endotoxins

in the resulting damage was first published in 1975.1 Subsequently, the topic was presented as the Merrill Lecture at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in 1980 and published in Hepatology.2 A diagram of the hypothesis from the 1975 article is shown in Fig. 1. It was summarized as follows: (A) Portal vein endotoxemia of gut origin represents a normal physiological state. (B) The hepatic sinusoidal cells, particularly fixed macrophages (Kupffer cells), are critical to normal endotoxin detoxification. (C) The initial damage in a number of injuries is to sinusoidal cells, which seriously impacts the ability

of the liver to handle the ordinarily innocuous amounts of LPS coming from the gut. (D) This marked increase in sensitivity to LPS, which may be of a magnitude of 10-fold to 1000-fold, leads to further medchemexpress hepatocytic damage and spillover of the endotoxins into the systemic circulation, resulting in the ABT 199 extrahepatic manifestations associated with liver injury. In the 1960s and 1970s, the hypothesis was not considered attractive, and the idea of “autointoxication” from

intestinal sources was considered an outmoded concept. Historical evidence of a synergism between bacteria in the gut and other toxins goes back to 1941 when sulfonamides protected against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injury in animals.3 In 1957, nonabsorbable antibiotics were found to prevent death in rats on the necrogenic diet of choline deficiency, and neomycin was superior in its effect compared to absorbable antimicrobials.4 Broitman and his colleagues in 1964, using this model of nutritional cirrhosis, found that the protective effect of neomycin was eliminated if purified LPS was added to the drinking water, confirming that endotoxin, rather than intact bacteria, caused the lesion.5 Because of its morphologic similarity to Laennec’s cirrhosis, it was used as a surrogate model for that disease. Alcohol given by gavage or in the water to rats did not cause any visible alteration of the liver with chronic administration. Alcohol given to rats, however, resulted in depression of reticuloendothelial function as measured by the uptake of labeled microaggregated albumin.


“Microstomia presents a unique challenge to the patient P


“Microstomia presents a unique challenge to the patient. Patients with microstomia who must wear removable dental prostheses often face the difficulty of being unable to insert or remove the prosthesis because of the constricted Metformin order opening of the oral cavity. A completely edentulous patient, who developed microstomia along with Raynaud’s phenomenon induced by scleroderma, is presented. This clinical report describes a quick and easy method for fabrication

of a sectional custom impression tray connected by press button and a sectional complete denture retained by magnets. A sectional denture that provides ease in placement and removal can be successfully used in clinical practice for treatment of microstomia patients. “
“An intraoral luting technique between electroformed gold copings and a metallic framework for a cement-retained, implant-supported metal-resin-fixed complete-denture

is presented. The peculiarity is the different CH5424802 clinical trial prosthetic design with the metallic framework that was 1.5 mm shorter than the margin of the electroformed copings. As a consequence, the conventional thick prosthesis margin (electroformed copings, cement for the luting phase, framework) was modified into a thin electroformed prosthesis seal (0.3 mm) just beyond the apical limit of the esthetic material. Passive fit between the framework and the electroformed gold copings was achieved during the intraoral luting phase. The procedure was efficient

and standardized and enhanced esthetics. “
“Interim restorations are frequently used in prosthodontic treatments. Many complex situations require the combination of fixed and removable partial prostheses. An appropriate interim restoration design that accurately implements the treatment plan is necessary to prepare 上海皓元 the oral cavity for the prostheses, and to contribute to the preservation and health of remaining natural teeth, bone support, and gingival tissues. This report describes a modified technique for construction of interim restorations with a combination of fixed and removable partial prostheses. The technique consists of the construction of a milled fixed prosthesis and removable partial denture with metallic framework for use during extensive treatment, improving masticatory function and esthetics and preserving the periodontal health of supporting structures. This interim restoration can also serve as a template for the definitive restoration, allowing patient and dentist to evaluate appearance and function and helping to ensure the success of the definitive restoration. “
“Adequate tooth reduction is a prerequisite for function, esthetics, and longevity of fixed restorations. A tooth reduction guide may be useful for establishing the proper angulation of the tooth and maximizing periodontal health and restorative success.

For immunofluorescent

staining, after deparaffinization a

For immunofluorescent

staining, after deparaffinization and rehydration, the antigens were retrieved by heating in citrate buffer (10 mM, pH 6.0) for anti-AQP4 antibody (121°C, 3 min). Nonspecific binding was Enzalutamide cell line blocked by a blocking reagent (Protein Block, Dako Japan, Tokyo, Japan). Sections were incubated overnight with the primary antibodies at 4°C. After rinsing in Tris-buffered saline with Tween 20 (TBS-T), the slides were incubated with Alexa Flour 488 donkey anti-rabbit IgG (1:1000, Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA). For double staining, after rinsing in TBS-T, anti-H+/K+-ATPase was digested with proteinase K solution (Dako Japan) for 4 min at room temperature. Subsequently, blocking reagent was applied for blockade of nonspecific binding, and then sections were incubated for overnight with anti-H+/K+-ATPase α subunit antibody. After rinsing in TBS-T, the slides were incubated with Alexa Fluor 568 goat anti-mouse IgG (1:1000, Molecular Probes). Total RNAs of tissue specimens from each stomach tissue specimens were extracted by using the mirVana miRNA isolation kit (Ambion, Austin, TX, USA). RNA was converted into cDNA using the PrimeScript RT reagent

kit (Takara, Ohtsu, Japan). The cDNA was used for quantitative PCR analysis with Dice (Takara) using SYBR Premix Ex TaqII (Takara). The mRNA expressions of mouse AQP4, H+/K+-ATPase α subunit, Shh, TFF2,

and PI3K Inhibitor high throughput screening β-actin were measured. The primer sequences are shown in Table 1. Data for each gene were normalized to the expression level of β-actin. All data were expressed as mean ± standard error. Statistical significance of the differences between two groups was evaluated using unpaired Student’s t-test. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS Statistics version 20.0J software for Windows (SPSS Japan, Tokyo, Japan). A two-sided P value of < 0.05 was considered as denoting statistical significance. To investigate the progression of gastric lesion, HE staining was performed (Fig. 1a,b). The gastric mucosa in the H2R knockout mouse showed glandular hyperplasia with multiple cystic dilatations with increased mucous cells and parietal cells as well as SPEM. Also, 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 the hyperplasia was more thickened with increase of cystic dilatation at the age of 40 and 60 weeks than at the age of 20 weeks (Fig. 1c,d). However, no gastric carcinoma lesion was observed even at the age of 95 weeks (data not shown). For the purpose of characterization of parietal cells along with vertical localization, fluorescent immunohistochemistry of H+/K+-ATPase and AQP4 was performed (Fig. 1e). In the wild type at the age of 20 weeks, H+/K+-ATPase-positive parietal cells were diffusely observed in the gastric mucosa, whereas AQP4-expressing parietal cells were mainly localized in basal area of the mucosa.

01 (95% confidence interval = 046–223; p = 097) Appendectomie

01 (95% confidence interval = 0.46–2.23; p = 0.97). Appendectomies performed before or after UC diagnosis do not affect its clinical course in the Korean population. “
“Interest in hepatic ductular reactions (DRs) has risen in recent years because of a greater appreciation of their potential roles in regeneration, fibrogenesis, and carcinogenesis. However, confusion exists because there is significant, but often unappreciated diversity at the tissue, cellular, and subcellular levels in DRs of different diseases and stages of disease. DRs are encountered in virtually all liver disorders

in which there is organ-wide liver damage and cell loss, but are also present Daporinad in vitro in focal lesions such as focal nodular hyperplasia and adenoma. Moreover, diverse DR phenotypes can be present within any single disease entity, and are shaped by the etiology and evolution of the disease. Although much remains to be clarified, recent studies suggest that the diversity of appearances of the DRs are likely to

reflect the differing signals at the anatomic, cellular, and molecular levels driving the proliferative response. These appear to determine the relative proportions of transit-amplifying cells, the degree of hepatocytic or cholangiocytic differentiation, and their relationships with stromal, vascular, and inflammatory components. The molecular signaling pathways governing these regenerative fate decisions closely replicate those found in human and other vertebrate embryos and more generally in stem cell niches throughout the body. Like the latter, complex buy Trametinib interactions with matrix as well as mesenchymal and inflammatory cells, vessels, and innervation are likely to be of fundamental importance. Embracing systems/tissue biological approaches to exploring DRs, in addition to more traditional cellular and molecular biological techniques, will further enhance our understanding and, thereby, we believe potentiate new therapeutic possibilities. (HEPATOLOGY 2011) AIH, autoimmune

hepatitis; CoH, canals of Hering; DR, ductular reaction; ECM, extracellular matrix; EHBA, extrahepatic biliary atresia; EMT, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; 上海皓元 EpCAM, epithelial cell adhesion molecule; HCV, hepatitis C virus; IFN, interferon; K, keratin; PBC, primary biliary cirrhosis; PSC, primary sclerosing cholangitis; TGF, transforming growth factor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor. Explanations should be as simple as possible, but no simpler. In recent years, diagnostic pathologists and their clinical colleagues, through detailed clinicopathologic correlations, have refined our understandings of ductular reactions (DRs), which are the reactive processes that arise, in disease and injury, at the interface of the portal (or septal) and parenchymal compartments, in human livers.

Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed histologically, clinically, or by t

Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed histologically, clinically, or by typical radiological findings. Exclusion criteria were presence of pre- and posthepatic causes

of PH, severe cardiopulmonary or renal impairment, active infections, diabetes, anticoagulant therapy, antiplatelet drugs, as well as current treatment with beta-blockers, statins, or interferon (IFN).14, 15 Patients with alcoholic liver disease had to be abstinent RXDX-106 order from alcohol for at least 3 months. Etiology of liver disease, age, HVPG, medical history, including the presence of esophageal varices, ascites, Child Pugh score (CPS), hematological status, including vWF-Ag, clinical chemistry, and liver stiffness (measured by FibroScan; Echosens, Paris, France) were recorded for each patient at the day of HVPG measurement. The study was approved by the local ethics committee and was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Plasma levels of vWF-Ag were measured as previously described14 BAY 80-6946 purchase using a fully automated STA analyzer and vWF-Liatest (Diagnostica Stago, Paris, France). Portal pressure was evaluated by measurement of HVPG according to international standards, as described previously.16, 17 At least three repeated measurements of free and wedged hepatic vein pressure were performed to calculate the HVPG. Continuous tracing of pressure

curves were electronically recorded using a pressure transducer and S5 collect software. Normal portal pressure was defined as an HVPG of 1-5 mmHg, whereas elevated portal pressure defined as an HVPG of 6-9 mmHg. CSPH was diagnosed at an HVPG ≥10 mmHg, and severe CSPH was diagnosed at an HVPG

≥12 mmHg. All measurements were performed by two hepatologists, each with a personal experience of more than 500 HVPG measurements. Measurement of liver stiffness was performed by transient elastography (FibroScan; Echosens) after an overnight fast, as previously described in detail.17 Results MCE公司 of liver stiffness were considered as adequate if the interquartile range (IQR) was within the 30% interval of the median value and if the success rate was ≥70%. Results of the median value and IQR were recorded in kPa. Patients were followed prospectively at least every 6 months at the outpatient clinic of the Medical University of Vienna until December 2011. During follow-up, all events, especially decompensation by ascites, jaundice, grade 3/4 hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, death, and liver transplantation (LT), were recorded. Because many of our patients were from foreign origin (mostly from Turkey and former Yugoslavia), we were not able to prevent all study participants being lost to follow-up because of to remigration. However, if a patient was not seen at our outpatient department within the preceding 6 months, telephone contact (to the subject or relatives or to their primary care physicians) was additionally established to check on the patients’ status.

6A) To examine whether ABT-737 has an antitumor effect in the pr

6A). To examine whether ABT-737 has an antitumor effect in the presence of sorafenib, we administered ABT-737 and

sorafenib together to nude mice bearing selleck products Huh7 xenograft tumors. Although even sorafenib alone significantly suppressed tumor growth compared with the vehicle alone (Supporting Fig. 3), coadministration of ABT-737 and sorafenib led to significant further suppression of tumor growth compared to administration of sorafenib alone (Fig. 6C). Similar to administration of ABT-737 as a single agent, coadministration of sorafenib and ABT-737 also induced mild thrombocytopenia and ALT elevation (Fig. 6D). However, coadministration did not induce further morbidity or mortality in mice, suggesting that this regimen is safe and effective for controlling HCC progression. Tumor cells have two characteristic features: uncontrolled proliferation and apoptosis resistance. Uncontrolled proliferation, driven by activation of a variety of oncogenes, is directly linked to tumor growth. Apoptosis resistance is believed to be required for the oncogene-induced aberrant proliferation, because without it, tumor cells tend to undergo apoptosis.24 However, the direct link between apoptosis resistance and growth of solid buy Regorafenib tumors in vivo has not been well studied. Clarifying this point is very important, especially because a very recent study by Weber et al.25 produced the

contradictory finding that aged hepatocyte-specific Mcl-1 knockout mice develop HCC-like lesions, suggesting a link between hepatocarcinogenesis and increased proliferation resulting from increased apoptosis. In the present study, we used conditional expression of Bcl-xL in tumor cells to show that Bcl-xL 上海皓元 overexpression, which

is frequently found in human HCC, can be directly linked to tumor growth in vivo, although it did not promote significant cell growth in vitro. Our results suggest that tumor cells encounter a variety of cellular stresses and require antiapoptosis to survive in vivo rather than in vitro. Thus, we consider antiapoptosis to be an important mechanism for progression of a solid tumor, even if it may not be the case for tumor development as suggested by Weber et al.25 Our finding also provides proof of the concept that Bcl-xL may be a target for therapy against HCC progression. In the present study, we showed that, unlike hematopoietic malignancy, hepatoma cells are relatively resistant to ABT-737. Although ABT-737 dose-dependently induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells, a relatively high dose of ABT-737 (more than 8 μM) was required to suppress tumor growth in vitro. Importantly, administration of an in vivo effective dose of ABT-737 (50 mg/kg) failed to suppress xenograft tumors. We found increased expression of Mcl-1 in cultured hepatoma cells as well as xenograft tumors upon ABT-737 treatment.

Chronic alcohol consumption results in liver disease which varies

Chronic alcohol consumption results in liver disease which varies extensively between individuals in severity and progression for comparable levels of alcohol consumption. This variability could be attributed to variations in the expression and activity

of individual isoforms of the alcohol-metabolizing enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), but is also influenced by variations in patterns of alcohol intake (binge vs chronic drinking), nutritional status, gender, smoking, or this website abuse of other drugs. In addition, the onset and severity of ALD is strongly influenced by other comorbid conditions such as obesity or HCV infection. This increase in susceptibility to ALD is not due solely to intrahepatic factors, but may also involve alcohol-induced changes in other tissues, such as adipose tissue, central nervous system, the gut, and Luminespib in vitro the immune system. Factors contributing to alcohol-induced liver disease are thus complex and systemic.[8]

The spectrum of ALD includes: Fatty liver (hepatic steatosis), characterized histologically by lipid droplets in hepatocytes. This condition is usually reversible upon cessation of alcohol consumption, and thus is thought to be a relatively innocuous side effect of heavy drinking. However, hepatic steatosis often develops in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, clinical conditions that involve significant MCE metabolic defects. Thus, fatty liver by itself reflects a condition of metabolic stress that is a risk factor for the development of more severe forms of liver disease. Alcoholic hepatitis, an inflammatory condition characterized by significantly increased serum levels of liver enzymes (alanine aminotranferease and aspartate aminotransferase) and moderate to severe tissue damage, including necrotic foci with neutrophil infiltration. Acute alcoholic hepatitis is a potentially fatal disease that develops in a significant fraction (30–40%) of chronic heavy drinkers. Liver

fibrosis/cirrhosis, about 10–15% of chronic heavy drinkers proceed to develop fibrosis and cirrhosis. HCCs occur in about 2% of cirrhotic patients. Although factors that facilitate the development of hepatitis and cirrhosis are not well characterized, impairment in the cellular stress defense mechanisms, (e.g. oxidative stress),[9] or derailment of the balance of autocrine or paracrine mediators that are critical in maintaining normal homeostatic conditions are documented. In addition, chronic alcohol consumption interferes with liver regeneration, which under normal conditions is a highly effective repair mechanism that avoids scar tissue formation. Various mechanisms have been identified for ALD (Fig. 1) which are involved at various stages of progression.

Dystonia and akathisia may be prevented by premedicating with an

Dystonia and akathisia may be prevented by premedicating with an anticholinergic agent (eg, benztropine, diphenhydramine, or trihexyphenidyl). Due to their α-adrenergic antagonist effects, postural hypotension infrequently occurs with the phenothiazines, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare side effect.1 QT interval prolongation is also a rare side effect and is

most likely selleck kinase inhibitor to occur with droperidol; it can result in a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia. Before giving droperidol, an electrocardiogram (ECG) should be done to ascertain that the QTc interval is less than 450 ms. Potassium and magnesium levels also should be checked.2 Four studies compared prochlorperazine delivered by 3 different routes: 1 rectally (PR), 1 intramuscularly (IM), and 2 intravenously (IV) to placebo, as well as to metoclopramide in 2 studies. Jones et al found that prochlorperazine 25 mg PR outperformed placebo as to pain reduction measured via the 11-point pain scale (11-PPS) (−7.6 vs −4.3; P = .018); no adverse events were reported.3 Jones et al found

the percent of patients click here headache-free at 1 hour was greater with prochlorperazine 10 mg IV vs placebo/normal saline (NS) IV for treating migraine and tension-type headache (74% vs 13%; P < .001).4 No extrapyramidal reactions were reported. One patient taking prochlorperazine experienced asymptomatic orthostatic hypotension, and drowsiness was similar across treatments (prochlorperazine 17% vs placebo 7%). Coppola et al compared prochlorperazine 10 mg IV to placebo/NS IV and metoclopramide 10 mg IV.5 Headache relief at 30 minutes was greater for prochlorperazine than metoclopramide (82% vs 48%; P = .03), but there was no difference between metoclopramide and placebo (48% vs 29%; P = .14). Pain reduction (11-PPS) was greatest for prochlorperazine, followed by metoclopramide, and then placebo (−7.6 vs −4.2 vs −1.5; no inferential

statistics reported). Jones et al found the percent pain reduction at 1 hour favored prochlorperazine 10 mg IM over both placebo/NS IM and metoclopramide 10 mg IM (67% vs 34% vs 16%; P < .01); the most common side effect was drowsiness for both prochlorperazine 上海皓元 (18%) and metoclopramide (17%).6 Five studies compared prochlorperazine 10 mg IV as a single agent to another single agent. Seim et al found prochlorperazine outperformed ketorolac 30 mg IV (pain relief measured using the visual analog scale [VAS]: −71 vs −40; P = .04).7 Ginder et al compared prochlorperazine to magnesium 2 g IV.8 At 30 minutes, prochlorperazine provided greater pain reduction (VAS) (−47 vs −24; P < .05). One patient (5%) reported dysphoria with prochlorperazine, and 4 patients (25%) had burning pain at the IV site with magnesium. Tanen et al showed the superiority of prochlorperazine over valproate 500 mg IV for pain reduction (VAS) at 1 hour (−64.5 vs −9.0; P < .

This cohort study included 101 patients infected with HCV who und

This cohort study included 101 patients infected with HCV who underwent liver transplantation between January 2008, and June 2011. Donor and recipient rs738409 genotypes were determined from donor wedge biopsies and recipient explants. The time to Ishak stage 3 fibrosis, or HCV-related mortality/graft

loss was analyzed by the Cox model adjusting for HCV-Donor Risk Index, warm ischemic time, pretransplant Model for Endstage Liver Disease (MELD) and viral load. The rs738409 CC variant was present in 56% of donors and 57% of recipients. The median follow-up period was 620 days. A total of 39 patients developed the primary outcome of ≥stage 3 fibrosis or HCV-related mortality/graft loss, the time to which

differed by donor (P = 0.019) but not recipient (P = 0.89) genotype. Inhibitor Library In the multivariate model, donor GC or GG variants had 2.53 times the risk (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-5.02, P = 0.008) compared to CC variants. In the alternative endpoint: stage 3 fibrosis or all-cause mortality/graft loss, the effect of donor genotype was attenuated but remained significant at 1.98 (95% CI 1.11-3.53). Conclusions: The rs738409 genotype is an important predictor of posttransplant outcome in HCV. Liver, and not adipocytes, is BVD-523 supplier the site at which this effect occurs. Our finding may be useful in donor selection for liver transplantation with HCV, and may guide decisions regarding early antiviral treatment.

(Hepatology 2014;59:453–460) “
“Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA) can now provide a cytopathological diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy with higher success rates. However, EUS-FNA cannot be carried 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 out for lesions of minimally invasive carcinoma because they cannot be detected by endoscopic ultrasonography, and in cases of intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC) because of the potential for needle tract seeding. A recent study has shown that pancreatic juice cytology (PJC) is useful for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. This study’s aim was to evaluate whether PJC strengthens the diagnostic power of EUS-FNA for pancreatic masses. A total of 161 patients, who were suspected to have a pancreatic mass on conventional ultrasound and/or computed tomography, was enrolled. EUS-FNA was carried out in 121 cases, and PJC was performed in 83 cases. An adequate specimen was obtained for EUS-FNA in 96.0% and for PJC in 98.9%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 86.0%, 100%, 100%, 70.5%, and 89.5% for EUS-FNA, and 71.4%, 100%, 100%, 84.4%, and 88.8% for PJC, respectively. EUS-FNA and/or PJC for the diagnosis of pancreatic tumor had a sensitivity of 92.5%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 91.7%, and accuracy of 95.9%.