Anti-Obesity Effects of Extracts via the AMPK Signaling Pathway in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Obesity is a major public health concern because of its association with metabolic disorders (e.g., type 2 diabetes mellitus) and cardiovascular diseases.

Modified Saengmaeksan, an herbal formula containing six herbs, improves hypertension through RhoA/Rho kinase-mediated vasorelaxation.

Background: Saengmaeksan is a traditional herbal formula used in Korean medicine. We composed a modified formula based on Saengmaeksan (mSMS) with Puerariae Radix, Platycodonis Radix, Liriopis seu Ophiopogonis Tuber, Schisandrae Fructus, Coicis Semen, and Dioscoreae Rhizoma to investigate its in vivo and ex vivo antihypertensive effects and underlying mechanisms.

Methods: The antihypertensive efficacy of mSMS was assessed using l-NAME-induced hypertensive mice and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

In vivo exosome imaging: applications of diverse visualization techniques.

Exosomes-nanoscale extracellular vesicles secreted by various cell types-play a crucial role in intercellular communication by delivering biologically active molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Due to their intrinsic biocompatibility, targeting capabilities, and stability, exosomes have emerged as promising vehicles for diagnostics and therapeutics in a wide range of diseases, including cancer, and neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and autoimmune disorders. The ability to monitor exosome biodistribution and dynamics in vivo is pivotal to promoting their clinical translation.

Cost-Effectiveness of Antiviral Therapy in Patients With High Viremic Indeterminate Phase Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: Growing evidence suggests that chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high viremia are at a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) even with normal alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of initiating antiviral therapy in patients in an indeterminate phase of CHB, defined as those who do not clearly fit into the established four phases categorised by serum HBV DNA and ALT levels.

Methods: A cost-utility analysis was conducted using a Markov model to compare the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of initiating antiviral therapy at the indeterminate phase ('treat-Indet') versus delaying treatment until chronic hepatitis ('untreated-Indet').

Cost-effectiveness of advanced hepatic fibrosis screening in individuals with suspected MASLD identified by serologic noninvasive tests.

Our study assessed the cost-effectiveness of screening for hepatic fibrosis in cases suspected of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) using serological noninvasive tests like the fatty liver index (FLI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI). We applied a decision tree and Markov model from a healthcare system perspective to estimate life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for screening versus no screening in the United States. Prevalence of advanced hepatic fibrosis in individuals suspected of having MASLD was significantly higher when defined by FLI (10.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and Optimization of Preparation Methods to Enhance the Anticancer Effect of on Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: , a medicinal fungus, is renowned for its anticancer properties. To maximize its therapeutic efficacy, this study aimed to optimize the extraction and preparation methods of and evaluate its effects on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Additionally, the study explored the potential of natural products as novel therapeutic agents.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of MASLD screening using FIB-4 based two-step algorithm in the medical check-up.

Screening for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) across the entire general population is not currently a recommended strategy. However, it is not uncommon to receive a medical check-up or health check-up for a various of reasons. We tried to investigate whether advanced fibrosis screening in MASLD patients is cost-effective for adults aged 40-49 years during medical or health check-up.

Limited use of FIB-4 index in patients under 65 years of age with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: Screening for liver fibrosis holds significant importance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their elevated risk of advanced hepatic fibrosis. However, it is recognized that the diagnostic performance of the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is relatively low in T2DM patients. Our study aims to explore the potential and limitations of utilizing FIB-4 as a screening tool in patients with T2DM.

Association between everolimus combination therapy and cancer risk after liver transplantation: A nationwide population-based quasi-cohort study.

The potential of everolimus (EVR) in reducing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among recipients following liver transplantation has been reported. This nationwide population-based quasi-cohort study investigated whether combining EVR with calcineurin inhibitor therapy affects the risk of HCC and extrahepatic cancers compared to a time duration-matched cohort of recipients not receiving EVR. Using data covering the entire population from Korea, liver transplant recipients who had initiated immunosuppressants between June 2015 and February 2020 were included, and divided into 2 groups: the EVR combination and noncombination groups.

Diagnostic performances of Fibrosis-4 index and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in Asian primary care clinics.

Aims: We aimed to explore the extent to which individuals previously diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) meet the criteria fulfilled with the new nomenclature, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), within an Asian primary clinic cohort. Additionally, we assessed the reliability of the diagnostic performance of FIB-4 and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) for MASLD within the primary clinic cohort.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included participants who underwent magnetic resonance elastography and abdominal ultrasonography during their health checkups at nationwide health promotion centers (n = 6740).

Comparative evaluation of non-invasive tests for risk stratification for cause specific mortality in at-risk population of hepatic fibrosis.

Our study aimed to conduct a comparative evaluation of various noninvasive tests (NITs) for risk stratification in at-risk population for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), focusing on cardiovascular and liver-related mortality. A total of 21,715 adults aged 40 years and older were enrolled at baseline. The mean follow-up period was 12.

Cost-effectiveness study of FIB-4 followed by transient elastography screening strategy for advanced hepatic fibrosis in a NAFLD at-risk population.

Background & Aims: The cost-effectiveness to screen hepatic fibrosis in at-risk population as recommended by several professional societies has been limited. This study aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of this screening strategy in the expanded at-risk population recently proposed by several societies.

Methods: A combined model of the decision tree and Markov models was developed to compare expected costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) between screening and no screening groups.

A secreted form of chorismate mutase (Rv1885c) in Mycobacterium bovis BCG contributes to pathogenesis by inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death of macrophages.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), and its pathogenicity is associated with its ability to evade the host defense system. The secretory form of the chorismate mutase of M. tuberculosis (TBCM, encoded by Rv1885c) is assumed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of TB; however, the mechanism remains unknown.

Antidiabetic Effect of Fermented L. in / Mice Involves Regulation of PI3K-Akt Pathway.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a serious health issue with increasing incidences worldwide. However, current medications have limitations due to side effects such as decreased appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea, and extreme tiredness. Here, we report the effect of fermented ice plant (FMC) in the T2M mouse model of / mice.

Diagnostic Performance of the Fibrosis-4 Index and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Fibrosis Score in Lean Adults With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Importance: The diagnostic performance of the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score (NFS) for advanced fibrosis in lean patients with NAFLD is limited.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the FIB-4 and NFS in lean individuals with NAFLD.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This diagnostic study included adults with biopsy-proven NAFLD from 6 referral centers in Asia from 1995 to 2019.

Protection against tuberculosis achieved by dissolving microneedle patches loaded with live in a BCG prime-boost strategy.

Introduction: Skin vaccination using dissolving microneedle patch (MNP) technology for transdermal delivery is a promising vaccine delivery strategy to overcome the limitations of the existing vaccine administration strategies using syringes. To improve the traditional microneedle mold fabrication technique, we introduced droplet extension (DEN) to reduce drug loss. Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem worldwide, and BCG revaccination had failed to increase the protective efficacy against tuberculosis.

Cost-Effectiveness of All-Oral Regimens for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Korea: Comparison With Conventional Injectable-Containing Regimens.

Background: Regimens for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have been changed from injectable-containing regimens to all-oral regimens. The economic effectiveness of new all-oral regimens compared with conventional injectable-containing regimens was scarcely evaluated. This study was conducted to compare the cost-effectiveness between all-oral longer-course regimens (the oral regimen group) and conventional injectable-containing regimens (the control group) to treat newly diagnosed MDR-TB patients.

Live Mycobacterium paragordonae induces heterologous immunity of natural killer cells by eliciting type I interferons from dendritic cells via STING-dependent sensing of cyclic-di-GMP.

Exploiting the heterologous effects of vaccines is a feasible strategy to combat different pathogens. These effects have been explained by enhanced immune responses of innate immune cells. Mycobacterium paragordonae is a rare nontuberculosis mycobacterium that has temperature-sensitive properties.

Immune-Enhancing Effect of on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in BALB/c Mice and Primary Cultured Splenocytes.

(SH) is a seaweed that has several features that benefit health. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing effect of SH, focusing on the role of spleen-mediated immune functions. Chromatographic analysis of SH identified six types of monosaccharide contents, including mannose, rhamnose glucose, galactose xylose and fucose.