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Abstract Although the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with obesity or sarcopenia is known, few studies have investigated the combined effect of various body composition parameters on the risk of NAFLD. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate effects of interactions between various body composition parameters, including obesity, visceral adiposity, and sarcopenia, on NAFLD. Data of subjects who underwent health checkups between 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Body composition parameters including appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and visceral adiposity were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Sarcopenia was defined as ASM/weight beyond two standard deviations below the gender-specific mean for healthy young adults. NAFLD was diagnosed using hepatic ultrasonography. Interaction analyses, including relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), synergy index (SI), and attributable proportion due to interaction (AP), were performed. Among a total of 17,540 subjects (mean age: 46.7 years, 49.4% males), the prevalence of NAFLD was 35.9%. The odds ratio (OR) of interaction between obesity and visceral adiposity affecting NAFLD was 9.14 (95% CI: 8.29–10.07). The RERI was 2.63 (95% CI: 1.71–3.55), SI was 1.48 (95% CI: 1.29–1.69) and AP was 29%. The OR of interaction between obesity and sarcopenia affecting NAFLD was 8.46 (95% CI: 7.01–10.21). The RERI was 2.21 (95% CI: 0.51–3.90). SI was 1.42(95% CI: 1.11–1.82) and AP was 26%. The OR of interaction between sarcopenia and visceral adiposity affecting NAFLD was 7.25 (95% CI: 6.04–8.71), however, there was no significant additive interaction with RERI = 0.87 (95% CI: −0.76 to 2.51). Obesity, visceral adiposity, and sarcopenia were found to be positively associated with NAFLD. Obesity, visceral adiposity, and sarcopenia were found to have additive interaction effects on NAFLD.

Background/Aims: Previous studies have reported the protective effects of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on gastric epithelial cells in some animal models, but the precise mechanisms are unclear. This study examined the effects of TUDCA on NF-κB signaling in gastric epithelial cells. Moreover, the protective effects of TUDCA in experimental gastritis models induced by ethanol and NSAID were evaluated and compared with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Methods: After a pretreatment with TUDCA or UDCA, human gastric epithelial MKN-45 cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α to activate NF-κB signaling. A real-time PCR (RT-PCR) for human interleukin (IL)-1 mRNA was performed. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and immunoblot analyses were carried out. In murine models, after a pretreatment with TUDCA or UDCA, ethanol and indomethacin were administered via oral gavage. Macroscopic and microscopic assessments were performed to evaluate the preventive effects of TUDCA and UDCA on murine gastritis. Results: A pretreatment with TUDCA downregulated the IL-1α mRNA levels in MKN-45 cells stimulated with TNF-α, as assessed by RT-PCR. As determined using EMSA, a pretreatment with TUDCA reduced the TNF-α-induced NF-κB DNA binding activity. A pretreatment with TUDCA inhibited IκBα phosphorylation induced by TNF-α, as assessed by immunoblot analysis. TUDCA attenuated the ethanol-induced and NSAID-induced gastritis in murine models, as determined macroscopically and microscopically. Conclusions: TUDCA inhibited NF-κB signaling in gastric epithelial cells and ameliorated ethanol- and NSAID-induced gastritis in murine models. These results support the potential of TUDCA for the prevention of gastritis in humans.

Background/Aims: The alcoholic hepatitis histologic score (AHHS) is a recently developed clinical model for predicting short-term mortality in Caucasian patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH). The AHHS has not been extensively validated in other ethnic populations. This study validated the AHHS in a Korean patient cohort. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of hospitalized Korean patients with AH between January 2010 and August 2017. Histopathological findings were assessed to determine the AHHS in all study subjects. Histopathological risk factors were examined by Cox regression analysis to predict overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to assess the diagnostic performance of the AHHS. Results: We recruited a total of 107 patients with biopsy-proven AH. None of the individual AHHS components were associated with 3-month mortality. However, the bilirubinostasis type and fibrosis severity were significantly associated with AH mortality beyond 6 months (all p

Background/Aims: Public hospitals were established to provide high quality medical services to low socioeconomic status patients. This study examined the effects of public hospitals on the treatment and prognosis of patients with five-major gastrointestinal (GI) cancers (stomach cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, bile duct cancer, and pancreatic cancer). Methods: Among the 1,268 patients treated at Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center from January 2010 to December 2017, 164 (13%) were in the medicare group. The data were analyzed to identify and compare the clinical manifestations, treatment modality, and clinical outcomes between the groups. Results: No statistically significant differences in the clinical data (age, sex), treatment method, and five-year survival rate were observed between the health insurance group and medicare group in the five major GI cancer patients. On the other hand, some medicare group patients tended more comorbidities and fewer treatment options than health insurance patients. Conclusions: Public hospitals have a positive effect on the treatment and prognosis in medicare group patients with the five-major GI cancers.

Despite the importance of Helicobacter pylori infection and portal hypertension (PH)-associated gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, such as esophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), the impact of H. pylori infection on PH-related GI complications has not yet been elucidated. This meta-analysis investigated the association between H. pylori infection and the risk of PH-related GI complications. An electronic search for original articles published before May 2020 was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Independent reviewers conducted the article screening and data extraction. We used the generic inverse variance method for the meta-analysis, and Begg’s rank correlation test and Egger’s regression test to assess publication bias. A total of 1,148 cases of H. pylori infection and 1,231 uninfected controls were included from 13 studies. H. pylori infection had no significant association with esophageal varices [relative risk (RR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87–1.06 for all selected studies; RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.84–1.07 for cohort studies; odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.60–1.54 for case-control studies]. Although H. pylori infection was significantly associated with PHG in case-control studies [OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.17–2.96], no significant differences were found in the cohort studies [RR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.91–1.05] or all studies combined [RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.93–1.52]. In conclusion, H. pylori infection was not associated with the risk of PH-related GI complications. Clinicians should carefully treat cirrhotic patients with PH-related GI complications, regardless of H. pylori infection.

Background/Aims Many gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic procedures are difficult and cumbersome owing to the limitation of currently available endoscopic devices. This study aimed to develop an endoscopic guidetube for multipurpose endoscopic procedures and assess its use in a realistic GI endoscopic simulator. Methods The guidetube used is a soft overtube composed of neoprene and is designed to assist various endoscopic procedures on demand. In total, 15 types of procedures were performed in GI simulators. Four procedures were performed in the stomach model and 11 in the colon model. The procedures include repeated endoscopic insertion and foreign body removal in various positions. The mean insertion and procedure time were assessed in each session. All procedures were performed by 5 expert endoscopists. Results Endoscopic procedures with the new guidetube were faster and more effective than the conventional endoscopic techniques. The mean insertion time of the endoscope with the guidetube was significantly shorter than that without the guidetube. The guidetube was safely inserted without scratch using low pushing force. Objects of various sizes larger than the endoscopic channel were easily removed by the guidetube-assisted endoscopic procedures. Conclusions This preliminary study shows that guidetube-assisted endoscopic procedures are faster, easier, safer and cheaper than conventional endoscopic procedures.

AimsMetabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and mortality. Sarcopenia has been reported as a risk factor for MetS, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and CVD. To date, the association between sarcopenia and MetS has been investigated. However, there have been few studies on the dose-response relationship between sarcopenia and MetS. We investigated the association between sarcopenia and the prevalence of MetS. We also aimed to analyze the dose-response relationship between skeletal muscle mass and the prevalence of MetS.MethodsWe enrolled 13,620 participants from October 2014 to December 2019. Skeletal muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was divided by body weight (kg) and was expressed as a percentage (ASM x 100/Weight, ASM%). The quartiles of ASM% were calculated for each gender, with Q1 and Q4 being the lowest and highest quartiles of ASM%, respectively. The quartiles of ASM% were calculated for each gender, with Q1 and Q4 being the lowest and highest quartiles of ASM%, respectively. Linear regression and logistic regression analyses were used to compare the clinical parameters according to ASM%, adjusted for age, sex, obesity, hypertension (HT), DM, dyslipidemia (DL), smoking, alcohol intake, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk of MetS in each group.ResultsA dose-response relationship was identified between ASM% and MetS. Sarcopenia was associated with an increased prevalence of MetS. After adjustment for age, sex, obesity, HT, DM, DL, smoking, alcohol intake, and CRP, sarcopenia remained significantly associated with MetS. For each 1 quartile increment in ASM%, the risk of MetS decreased by 56% (P< 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, obesity, HT, DM, DL, smoking, alcohol intake, and CRP, the risk of MetS decreased by 25% per 1Q increment in ASM% (P < 0.001).ConclusionsSarcopenia by BIA is independently associated with the risk of MetS and has a dose-response relationship.

AimsMetabolic syndrome (MS) is a global health problem associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer. Body composition parameters, including obesity, visceral adiposity, and sarcopenia contribute to the development of MS and CVD. Previous studies have investigated the association of individual body composition parameters with MS. Studies analyzing the association between multiple body composition parameters and MS have been rare. We aimed to investigate the association between MS and multiple body composition parameters, including obesity, visceral adiposity, and sarcopenia.MethodsA total of 13,620 subjects who underwent voluntary routine checkups at the Health Care Center of our institution between October 2014 and December 2019 were enrolled. Only data from the first examination of subjects who underwent repeated checkups were included. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. Skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat area (VFA) were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was divided by body weight (in kg) and expressed as a percentage (calculated as, ASM% = ASM × 100/Weight). Data were compared between the groups based on obesity, VFA, and ASM%. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk of MS in each group.ResultsBody mass index and VFA were significantly higher in subjects with MS than in those without MS. ASM% was significantly lower in subjects with MS than in those without MS. Subjects with obesity, visceral adiposity, or sarcopenia had a higher prevalence of MS than those without. As the number of metabolic components increased from 0 to 5, we identified a decreasing trend of ASM% and an increasing trend of VFA and BMI (P for trend < 0.001 for all). In the paired analyses, all the three body composition parameters showed additive effects in predicting MS. In the logistic regression analysis, the three parameters were associated with an increased risk of MS after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, DM, dyslipidemia, smoking, alcohol intake, and C-reactive protein.ConclusionsObesity, visceral adiposity, and sarcopenia showed additive effects on MS prediction. Subjects with obesity, visceral adiposity, or sarcopenia were significantly associated with the increased risk of MS after adjustment for multiple confounders. Increasing skeletal muscle and reducing visceral fat may be strategies for the prevention or treatment of MS.

AimLiver cirrhosis and features of muscle or adipose tissues may affect the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). We aimed to evaluate the impact of body composition parameters and liver cirrhosis on the severity of AP in patients with alcohol-induced AP (AAP).MethodsPatients with presumed AAP who underwent CT within one week after admission were retrospectively enrolled. L3 sectional areas of abdominal fat and muscle, and mean muscle attenuations (MMAs) were quantified. The presence of liver cirrhosis was determined using clinical and CT findings. Factors potentially associated with moderately severe or severe AP were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 242 patients (47.0 ± 12.6 years, 215 males) with presumed AAP were included. The mild and moderately severe/severe (MSS) groups included 137 (56.6%) and 105 patients (43.4%), respectively. Patients in the MSS group had higher rates of liver cirrhosis, organ failure, and local complications. Among body composition parameters, mean MMA (33.4 vs 36.8 HU, PConclusionThe results of this study suggest that liver cirrhosis has a significant impact on the severity of AAP. Of the body composition parameters examined, MMA and abdominal muscle mass showed potential as promising predictors.

Background : /Aims: Helicobacter pylori infection induces aberrant DNA methylation in gastric mucosa. We evaluated the long-term effect of H. pylori eradication on promotor CpG island hypermethylation in gastric carcinogenesis. Methods : : H. pylori-positive patients with gastric adenoma or early gastric cancer who underwent endoscopic resection were enrolled. According to H. pylori eradication after endoscopic resection, the participants were randomly assigned to H. pylori eradication or non-eradication group. H. pylori-negative gastric mucosa from normal participants provided the normal control. CpG island hypermethylation of tumor-related genes (p16, CDH1, and RUNX-3) was evaluated by quantitative MethyLight assay in non-tumorous gastric mucosa. The gene methylation rate and median values of hypermethylation were compared after one year by H. pylori status. Results : : In H. pylori-positive patients, hypermethylation of p16 was found in 80.6%, of CDH1 in 80.6%, and of RUNX-3 in 48.4%. This is significantly higher than normal control (p16, 10%; CDH1, 44%; RUNX-3, 16%) (p

Background/AimsThe optimal route for iron administration in anemic patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been determined. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies of parenteral and oral iron therapy in IBD patients in Korea.Methods : A retrospective multicenter study was performed. Patients who had been administered parenteral iron were matched to the controls with oral iron at a 1:1 ratio according to age, sex, and type of IBD.Results : Patients that received parenteral iron exhibited increases in hemoglobin levels of ≥20% from the baseline at lower doses and in shorter durations (p=0.034 and p=0.046, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, parenteral iron therapy appeared to be more efficient than oral iron therapy, but this difference was not statistically significant (hazard ratio [HR], 1.552; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.844 to 2.851; p=0.157). Patients with ulcerative colitis responded better to iron therapy than those with Crohn’s disease (HR, 3.415; 95% CI, 1.808 to 6.450; p

Background/AimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in subjects with fundic gland polyps (FGPs) and the relationship between FGPs and colorectal neoplasia in Korea.MethodsWe analyzed 128 consecutive patients with FPGs who underwent colonoscopy between January 2009 and December 2013. For each case, age- (±5 years) and sex-matched controls were identified from among patients with hyperplastic polyps, gastric neoplasms, and healthy controls. Clinical characteristics were reviewed from medical records, colonoscopic findings, pathologic findings, and computed tomography images. The outcome was evaluated by comparison of advanced colonic neoplasia detection rates.ResultsOf the 128 patients, seven (5.1%) had colon cancers and seven (5.1%) had advanced adenomas. A case-control study revealed that the odds of detecting a colorectal cancer was 3.8 times greater in patients with FGPs than in the age- and sex-matched healthy controls (odds ratio [OR], 3.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–13.24; P =0.04) and 4.1 times greater in patients with FGPs than in healthy controls over 50 years of age (OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 1.16–14.45; P =0.04). Among patients with FGPs over 50 years old, male sex (OR, 4.83; 95% CI, 1.23–18.94; P =0.02), and age (OR, 9.90; 95% CI, 1.21–81.08; P =0.03) were associated with an increased prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasms.ConclusionsThe yield of colonoscopy in colorectal cancer patients with FGPs was substantially higher than that in average-risk subjects. Colonoscopy verification is warranted in patients with FGPs, especially in those 50 years of age or older.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188321.].

Background/AimsGhrelin levels are known to increase in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), but serum obestatin levels in UC patients are not well elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum ghrelin and obestatin levels and disease activity in UC patients.MethodsThe serum ghrelin and obestatin levels were measured in 21 UC patients (12 with active disease and 9 in remission) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between the circulating levels of these 2 hormones and disease activity was analyzed. The colonic mucosal mRNA expression of ghrelin and obestatin was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe mean serum ghrelin values were significantly higher in patients with active disease than in patients with remission (1370.6±404.3 vs. 783.5±235.3 pg/mL, P=0.001). Colonic mucosal mRNA expression of ghrelin was also significantly higher in patients with active disease than in patients in remission (0.805±0.214 vs. 0.481±0.356, P=0.018). However, the mean serum obestatin levels and colonic mucosal mRNA expression of obestatin were not significantly different between both groups. The circulating obestatin/ghrelin ratio was significantly lower in patients with active UC than in patients in remission (0.32±0.08 vs. 0.58±0.20, P=0.001).ConclusionsThe serum ghrelin levels and the obestatin/ghrelin ratio were related to the activity of UC, but serum obestatin was not related to activity of UC. The ghrelin levels and the obestatin/ghrelin ratio could serve as activity markers in patients with UC.

Recently, a modified insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF)-Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) classification was proposed to improve the original CTP classification. This study aimed to validate the new IGF-CTP classification system as a prognostic maker for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a hepatitis B virus endemic area.We conducted a post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study. We used Harrell's C-index and U-statistics to compare the prognostic performance of both IGF-CTP and CTP classifications for overall survival. We evaluated the relationship between HCC stage and the four components of the IGF-CTP classification (serum levels of IGF-1, albumin, and total bilirubin and prothrombin time [PT]) using nonparametric trend analysis.We included a total of 393 patients in this study. In all, 55 patients died during the median follow-up of 59.1 months. There was a difference between IGF-CTP class and CTP class in 14% of patients. Overall, the IGF-CTP classification system had a higher prognostic value (C-index = 0.604, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.539-0.668) than the CTP system (C-index = 0.558, 95% CI = 0.501-0.614), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .07 by U-statistics). A lower serum level of IGF-1 was related to a more advanced cancer stage (P < .01). The remaining components of the IGF-CTP classification were not significantly related to tumor stage (P = .11 for total bilirubin; P = .33 for albumin; and P = .39 for PT).The IGF-CTP classification was slightly better than the original CTP classification for predicting survival of patients with HCC in a chronic hepatitis B endemic area. This is most likely due to the fact that serum IGF-1 levels reflect underlying HCC status.

Whether plasma ghrelin/obestatin levels are associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, subtypes of functional dyspepsia (FD), and gastric mucosal histology has not yet been established in elderly patients.The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels are related to gastric mucosal histology, H. pylori infection, and FD subtypes in elderly patients with FD.Ninety-two patients diagnosed with FD and older than 60 years (median age 69.4; range 60-88) were included. Clinical symptoms investigated included postprandial fullness, epigastric pain, epigastric soreness, nausea, and vomiting. According to the Rome III criteria, patients diagnosed with FD were divided into two subtypes: epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS). Plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay, and histological examination of gastric mucosa was performed. H. pylori infection was determined by histopathological examination of gastric mucosal biopsy and/or Campylobacter-like organism test.In our study, plasma ghrelin levels and plasma ghrelin/obestatin (G/O) ratio were significantly lower in subjects with intestinal metaplasia compared with those without intestinal metaplasia (ghrelin, p = 0.010; G/O ratio, p = 0.012). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative groups. (ghrelin, p = 0.130; obestatin, p = 0.888). Similarly, no significant differences were detected between the EPS and PDS groups (ghrelin, p = 0.238; obestatin, p = 0.710).Patients with intestinal metaplasia, a known precursor of gastric cancer, had significantly less plasma ghrelin levels and G/O ratio than those without intestinal metaplasia.

The diagnostic performance of supersonic shear imaging (SSI) in comparison with those of transient elastography (TE) and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) for staging fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients has not been fully assessed, especially in Asian populations with relatively lean NAFLD compared to white populations. Thus, we focused on comparing the diagnostic performances of TE, ARFI, and SSI for staging fibrosis in a head-to-head manner, and identifying the clinical, anthropometric, biochemical, and histological features which might affect liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in our prospective biopsy-proven NAFLD cohort. In this study, ninety-four patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included prospectively. Liver stiffness was measured using TE, SSI, and ARFI within 1 month of liver biopsy. The diagnostic performance for staging fibrosis was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Anthropometric data were evaluated as covariates influencing LSM by regression analyses. Liver stiffness correlated with fibrosis stage (p < 0.05); the area under the ROC curve of TE (kPa), SSI (kPa), and ARFI (m/s) were as follows: 0.757, 0.759, and 0.657 for significant fibrosis and 0.870, 0.809, and 0.873 for advanced fibrosis. Anthropometric traits were significant confounders affecting SSI, while serum liver injury markers significantly confounded TE and ARFI. In conclusion, the LSM methods had similar diagnostic performance for staging fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Pre-LSM anthropometric evaluation may help predict the reliability of SSI.

Type I interferons (IFNs) play an important role in antiviral immunity as well as immunopathogenesis of diverse chronic viral infections. However, the precise mechanisms regulating the multifaceted effects of type I IFNs on the immune system and pathological inflammation still remain unclear. In order to assess the immunological dynamics associated with rapid viral clearance in chronic hepatitis C patients during the acute phase of type I IFN therapy, we analyzed multiple parameters of virological and immunological responses in a cohort of 59 Korean hepatitis C patients who received pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin (IFN/RBV). Most of the Korean patients had favorable alleles in the IFN-λ loci for responsiveness to IFN/RBV (i.e., C/C in rs12979860, T/T in rs8099917, and TT/TT in rs368234815). Rapid virological response (RVR) was determined mainly by the hepatitis C virus genotype. Among the cytokines analyzed, higher plasma levels of IL-17A and FGF were observed in non-RVR patients infected with viral genotype 1 and IP-10 was consistently elevated in RVR group infected with genotype 2 during the early phase of antiviral therapy. In addition, these three cytokines were correlated each other, suggesting a functional linkage of the cytokines in antiviral responses during IFN/RBV therapy. A low baseline frequencies of regulatory T cells and γδ T cells, but high level of group 2 innate lymphoid cells, in peripheral bloods were also significantly associated with the RVR group, implicating a potential role of the cellular immunity during the early phase of IFN/RBV therapy. Therefore, the immunological programs established by chronic hepatitis C and rapid disruption of the delicate balance by exogenous type I IFN might be associated with the subsequent virological outcomes in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background/AimsHyperglycemia is associated with decreased 2-18[F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake by tumors assessed by positron emission tomography (PET). In this retrospective study we investigated a comparison of standardized uptake values (SUVs) in patients with primary colorectal cancers who either had diabetes mellitus (DM) or were otherwise healthy.MethodsThe medical records of 397 patients who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and underwent PET-CT between January 2006 and December 2012 were analyzed. Eighty patients with DM and 317 patients without DM were included. Clinical characteristics were reviewed and maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were calculated in the primary colorectal lesions.ResultsThere was no significant difference between tumor SUVmax in DM patients (10.60±5.78) and those without DM (10.92±5.44). In addition, no significant difference was detected between tumor SUVmax in DM patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels

Rothia muciliaginosa (R. mucilaginosa) is a facultative, Gram-positive coccus that is considered to be part of the normal flora of the mouth and respiratory tract. There are sporadic reports of the organism causing endocarditis in patients with heart valve abnormalities, as well as meningitis, septicemia, and pneumonia associated with intravenous drug abuse. However, it is an unusual pathogen in cases of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis. Although R. mucilaginosa is generally susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, imipenem, rifampicin, and glycopeptides, there are no guidelines for the treatment of PD-associated peritonitis. Herein, we report a case of PD-associated peritonitis due to R. mucilaginosa that was resolved with intraperitoneal antibiotic treatment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100870.].

BACKGROUND:Two liters of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution administered with ascorbic acid (Asc) can provide efficacy similar to that of a 4-L PEG solution for colonoscopy preparation. In addition, oral bisacodyl (Bis) has been shown to reduce the volume of PEG needed for a bowel preparation with comparable efficacy. This study aimed to compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a 2-L PEG solution mixed with Asc versus the combination of Bis, Asc and a 1-L PEG solution. METHODS:This was a prospective, randomized, multi-centre, single-blind, non-inferiority trial. Participants who were scheduled for colonoscopy were included and randomized to receive either 2-L PEG and Asc (2L PEG/Asc group) or 1-L PEG, Asc and 20 mg Bis (1L PEG/Asc + Bis group). The quality of bowel preparation was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. Data regarding tolerance, compliance and adverse events were also gathered. RESULTS:A total of 187 participants were analyzed; 96 were allocated to the 2L PEG/Asc group and 91 to the 1L PEG/Asc + Bis group. Bowel preparation was adequate in 87.5% (84/96) of patients in the 2L PEG/Asc group and 94.5% of the 1L PEG/Asc + Bis group (86/91, p = 0.10). There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to compliance, tolerability or safety. The patients allocated to the 1L PEG/Asc + Bis group expressed more willingness to repeat the procedure than patients in the 2L PEG/Asc group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Bowel preparation with Bis and a 1-L PEG/Asc solution is as effective, well-tolerated, and safe as a 2-L PEG/Asc solution. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 01745835; Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS) KCT0000708.

Periostin is a matricellular protein that interacts with various integrin molecules on the cell surface. Although periostin is expressed in inflamed colonic mucosa, its role in the regulation of intestinal inflammation remains unclear. We investigated the role of periostin in intestinal inflammation using Postn-deficient (Postn-/-) mice. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) were transfected by Postn small interfering RNAs. Periostin expression was determined in colon tissue samples from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) or rectal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, induced severe colitis in wild-type mice, but not in Postn-/- mice. Administration of recombinant periostin induced colitis in Postn-/- mice. The periostin neutralizing-antibody ameliorated the severity of colitis in DSS-treated wild-type mice. Silencing of Postn inhibited inteleukin (IL)-8 mRNA expression and NF-κB DNA-binding activity in IECs. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α upregulated mRNA expression of Postn in IECs, and recombinant periostin strongly enhanced IL-8 expression in combination with TNF-α, which was suppressed by an antibody against integrin αv (CD51). Periostin and CD51 were expressed at significantly higher levels in UC patients than in controls. Periostin mediates intestinal inflammation through the activation of NF-κB signaling, which suggests that periostin is a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease.

The aim of this study was to investigate histomorphological and immunophenotypic features in pill-induced esophagitis. We comparatively evaluated the histomorphological, immunophenotypic features of pill-induced esophagitis vs. reflux esophagitis, as well as clinical information and endoscopic findings. Fifty-two tissue pieces from 22 cases of pill-induced esophagitis, 46 pieces from 20 reflux esophagitis, and 16 pieces from 14 control samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry for inflammatory infiltrates (CD3 for T lymphocyte, CD20 for B lymphocyte, CD56 for NK cell, CD68 for macrophage, CD117 for mast cell) and eosinophil chemotaxis-associated proteins (Erk, leptin, leptin receptor, pSTAT3, phospho-mTOR). As a result, Histomorphology showed that a diffuse pattern of dilated intercellular spaces was more frequently observed in pill-induced esophagitis, while reactive atypia and subepithelial papillary elongation were more often found in reflux esophagitis (P < 0.05, respectively). Interestingly, intraepithelial eosinophilic microabscess, intraepithelial pustule and diffuse pattern of dilated intercellular spaces were observed in 14% (3 cases), 9% (2 cases) and 32% (7 cases) of pill-induced esophagitis, respectively, but in no cases of reflux esophagitis. Regarding intraepithelial inflammatory infiltrates in pill-induced esophagitis, T lymphocytes were the most common cells, followed by eosinophil; 11 and 7 in one x400 power field, respectively. Intraepithelial pSTAT3-positive pattern was more frequently observed in pill-induced esophagitis than in reflux esophagitis, at 45% (10 cases) versus 10% (2 cases), respectively (P < 0.05). Considering the distal esophageal lesion only, intraepithelial pustule, diffuse dilated intercellular spaces and stromal macrophages were more frequently found in distal pill-induced esophagitis, whereas reactive atypia and intraepithelial mast cells in reflux esophagitis (P < 0.05, respectively). In conclusion, diffuse dilated intercellular spaces, intraepithelial eosinophil microabscess, pustule, T lymphocytes, eosinophils, and pSTAT3 positivity can be added to histopathological features of pill-induced esophagitis, other than non-specific ulcer. Besides, distal pill-induced esophagitis may be histopathologically differentiated from reflux esophagitis.

The accurate prognostic stratification of alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is essential for individualized therapeutic decisions. The aim of this study was to develop a new prognostic model to predict liver-related mortality in Asian AH patients. We conducted a hospital-based, retrospective cohort study using 308 patients with AH between 1999 and 2011 (a derivation cohort) and 106 patients with AH between 2005 and 2012 (a validation cohort). The Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to select significant predictors of liver-related death from the derivation cohort. A new prognostic model was internally validated using a bootstrap sampling method. The discriminative performance of this new model was compared with those of other prognostic models using a concordance index in the validation cohort. Bilirubin, prothrombin time, creatinine, potassium at admission, and a spontaneous change in bilirubin levels from day 0 to day 7 (SCBL) were incorporated into a model for AH to grade the severity in an Asian patient cohort (MAGIC). For risk stratification, four risk groups were identified with cutoff scores of 29, 37, and 46 based on the different survival probabilities (P