Advanced power structure for enhanced optical performance of AMOLED displays at low luminance levels.

To improve the image quality of active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays at low luminance levels, a novel power structure is proposed. Its effectiveness was validated by fabricating a 13-inch AMOLED panel with a tandem OLED and evaluating its optical performance. Compared to the conventional structure, the proposed structure reduced panel luminance deviation by 12% and color deviation by 41%, while also achieving a 41% reduction in hysteresis-induced color shift.

Diagnostic performance of microvascular flow imaging for noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease.

Background And Aims: Chronic liver disease (CLD) represents a significant global health challenge necessitating the evaluation of liver fibrosis. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of microvascular flow (MV-flow) imaging in evaluating liver fibrosis and compare it with other non-invasive tools.

Methods: Between July 2020 and June 2022, we prospectively enrolled patients scheduled for liver biopsy, concurrently measuring MV-flow imaging, transient elastography (TE), and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) as part of the assessment process.

Novel perovskite-based betavoltaic cell: dual additive strategy for enhanced FAPbI α-phase stability and performance.

By utilizing chlorine-based dual additives with perovskite film and radioactive isotopes of carbon nanoparticle/quantum dot (CNP/CQD) electrodes, we enhanced the phase stability and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the betavoltaic device. This study represents the first successful integration of perovskite into a betavoltaic cell, pioneering perovskite betavoltaic cells (PBCs).

Glucosamine supplementation attenuates progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and related comorbidities.

Background & Aims: This study examines the impact of glucosamine on the progression and outcomes of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD) using a large scale cohort.

Methods: Present study utilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to adjust for confounders in this cohort study. Participants were classified based on glucosamine use, and primary and secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) incidences.

Adverse impact of metabolic dysfunction on fibrosis regression following direct-acting antiviral therapy: A multicenter study for chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) effectively eradicate hepatitis C virus. This study investigated whether metabolic dysfunction influences the likelihood of fibrosis regression after DAA treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study included 8,819 patients diagnosed with CHC who were treated with DAAs and achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) between January 2014 and December 2022.

Enhancing liver cirrhosis varices and CSPH risk prediction with spleen stiffness measurement using 100-Hz probe.

Managing complications of liver cirrhosis such as varices needing treatment (VNT) and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) demands precise and non-invasive diagnostic methods. This study assesses the efficacy of spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) using a 100-Hz probe for predicting VNT and CSPH, aiming to refine diagnostic thresholds. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 257 cirrhotic patients, comparing the diagnostic performance of SSM against traditional criteria, including Baveno VII, for predicting VNT and CSPH.

Comparison of Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir and Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 and 2 in South Korea.

Background/aims: This study compared the effectiveness and safety of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) in real-life clinical practice.

Methods: The data from genotype 1 or 2 chronic hepatitis C patients treated with GLE/PIB or sofosbuvir + ribavirin or SOF/LDV in South Korea were collected retrospectively. The analysis included the treatment completion rate, sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12) test rate, treatment effectiveness, and adverse events.

Does whey protein supplementation during resistance exercise have additional benefits for decreasing hepatic fat content?

Background: Exercise and diet have positive effects on hepatic fat reduction, and protein supplementation is known to lower hepatic fat accumulation. However, the effect of a combination of exercise and whey protein supplementation (WPS) on hepatic fat content (HFC) is unknown.

Methods: We investigated the effect of WPS on HFC during resistance exercise and diet control intervention for four weeks.

Response-Guided Therapy With Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, or Ciprofloxacin for Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: A Randomized Trial: A Validation Study of 2021 AASLD Practice Guidance for SBP.

Introduction: For the treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin were used as first-line agents. However, considering the increasing rate of antibiotic resistance, it is unclear which of these drugs can be initially recommended. This study aimed to compare the current efficacy of the 3 antibiotics, namely cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin, for the treatment of SBP in patients with cirrhosis with ascites, when guided by therapeutic responses.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy versus radiofrequency ablation as initial treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aim: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) may be an alternative treatment for patients with small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) who were not indicated for resection or local ablation therapy. This study compared the therapeutic effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and SBRT in patients with small (≤3 cm) HCCs.

Methods: Data of HCC patients who underwent SBRT or RFA as an initial treatment at four tertiary referral hospitals between March 2011 and February 2017 were reviewed.

Effect of Nutrition Education in NAFLD Patients Undergoing Simultaneous Hyperlipidemia Pharmacotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a high prevalence of combined hyperlipidemia. The importance of nutritional education is well-known in NAFLD, but the impact of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is unclear in patients with NAFLD with hyperlipidemia. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of MNT on the improvement of steatohepatitis in patients with NAFLD taking antihyperlipidemic medications.

Efficacy and Safety of Tenofovir Disoproxil Orotate in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Previously Treated with Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate: Multicenter, Open-Label, Prospective Study.

Background/aim: We aimed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of tenofovir disoproxilorotate (TDO) compared with that of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: This multicenter, open-label, prospective clinical trial (KCT0004185) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TDO on switching from TDF for 24 weeks in virologically suppressed chronic hepatitis B patients. The primary efficacy endpoint was the maintenance of virologic response.

Clinical impact of serum exosomal microRNA in liver fibrosis.

Background/aim: We investigated alterations in the expression of serum exosomal miRNAs with the progression of liver fibrosis and evaluated their clinical applicability as biomarkers.

Methods: This study prospectively enrolled 71 patients who underwent liver biopsy at an academic hospital in Korea. Exosomes were extracted from serum samples, followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of miRNAs and targeted real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Adverse outcomes after surgeries in patients with liver cirrhosis among Korean population: A population-based study.

Background: Patients with liver cirrhosis have an increased risk of in-hospital mortality or postoperative complication after surgery. However, large-scale studies on the prognosis of these patients after surgery are lacking. The aim of the study was to investigate the adverse outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis after surgery over five years.

Effect of antiviral therapy in patients with low HBV DNA level on transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Antiviral therapy improves survival in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effect of antiviral therapy in patients with low-level viremia HBV-HCC receiving non-curative therapy remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the role of antiviral therapy in patients with low-level viremia and treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Continuing besifovir dipivoxil maleate versus switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for treatment of chronic hepatitis B: Results of 192-week phase 3 trial.

Background/aims: Besifovir dipivoxil maleate (BSV), an acyclic nucleotide phosphonate, shows potent antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus. Our previous 48-week trial revealed that BSV has comparable antiviral efficacy to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and better safety profiles in terms of improved renal and bone safety. This extension study evaluated the prolonged efficacy and safety of BSV in treatment-naive chronic hepatitis B patients.

Noble metal sensitized invasive porous bioelectrodes: advanced medical device for enhanced neuronal activity and chronic alcohol treatment.

Invasive bioelectrodes are widely used as an effective treatment for several acute and chronic diseases. In earlier work using high surface area invasive porous bioelectrodes evaluated in an animal model of alcoholism withdrawal, we demonstrated significantly improved electrophysiological and behavioral responses. In this study, we further modify the surface of these invasive porous bioelectrodes with noble metal (Ag, Au, Pt) nanoparticles.

Application of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient to Predict Prognosis in Cirrhotic Patients with a Low Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score.

Unlabelled: Background/aim: We aimed to derive a model representing the dynamic status of cirrhosis and to discriminate patients with poor prognosis even if the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score is low.

Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 700 cirrhotic patients with a MELD score of less than 20 who underwent hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement. A model named H6C score (= HVPG + 6 × CTP score) to predict overall survival was derived and internal and external validations were conducted with the derivation and validation cohorts.

C-14 powered dye-sensitized betavoltaic cells.

A dye-sensitized betavoltaic cell is developed for the first time, which utilizes radioisotopic carbon, composed of nano-sized quantum dots, and ruthenium-based dye sensitized TiO as electrodes. In this cell, emitted beta radiations are absorbed by the dye rather than TiO, which resulted in enhanced performance compared to the pristine betavoltaic cell.

Besifovir Dipivoxil Maleate 144-Week Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B: An Open-Label Extensional Study of a Phase 3 Trial.

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a major worldwide public health concern. Besifovir dipivoxil maleate (BSV) is a new promising treatment for CHB. However, long-term efficacy and safety have not yet been evaluated.

Prevalence, incidence and risk factors of tamoxifen-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: Tamoxifen is associated with an increased risk of developing fatty liver. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of fatty liver developed after tamoxifen treatment in breast cancer patients.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, OVID Medline, the Cochrane Library and other databases was performed for this review.

Change in Portal Pressure and Clinical Outcome in Cirrhotic Patients with Gastric Varices after Plug-Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration.

Background/aims: Plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) is widely used to manage gastric varices with a portosystemic shunt. It is not clear whether portal pressure and the incidence of complications increase after PARTO. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in portal pressure and the associated changes in liver function, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and especially esophageal varix (EV) after PARTO.

Propranolol plus endoscopic ligation for variceal bleeding in patients with significant ascites: Propensity score matching analysis.

The use of beta-blockers in decompensated cirrhosis accompanying ascites is still under debate. The aim of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) and incidence of cirrhotic complications between endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) only and EVL + non-selective beta-blocker (NSBB) combination therapy in cirrhotic patients with significant ascites (≥grade 2).This retrospective study included 271 consecutive cirrhotic patients with ascites who were treated with EVL only or EVL + NSBB combination therapy as a primary prophylaxis of esophageal varices.

Relation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 expression to hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver resection.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver resection depends upon the stage and histological grade of the tumor and the expression of certain biomarkers. However, it remains unclear which of these factors has the highest predictive value regarding HCC recurrence after surgical resection.

Methods: This study investigated the associations among clinicopathological characteristics, expression of biomarkers, and HCC recurrence after liver resection.