Comparison of the Efficacy of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Diabetic Patients with Steatotic Liver Disease.

Background/aims: There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend one oral hypoglycemic agent over another for diabetic patients to reduce hepatic steatosis or prevent advanced fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Methods: This study included diabetic patients with steatotic liver disease who newly received either a DPP-4i or an SGLT-2i as a second-line treatment between 2014 and 2021 at a single tertiary hospital.

Comparison of bone mineral density changes between denosumab and bisphosphonates in tenofovir-exposed chronic hepatitis B patients with osteoporosis.

Unlabelled: This study compared denosumab and bisphosphonates for osteoporosis in tenofovir-exposed chronic hepatitis B patients. Both denosumab and bisphosphonates increased bone mineral density (BMD) at year 1. However, denosumab resulted in a greater BMD improvement and a more pronounced reduction in procollagen type 1 N-terminal peptide (P1NP) compared to bisphosphonate.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea: an analysis of the 2016-2018 Korean Nationwide Cancer Registry.

Backgrounds/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Korea. This study evaluated the characteristics of Korean patients newly diagnosed with HCC in 2016-2018.

Methods: Data from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry (KPLCR), a representative database of patients newly diagnosed with HCC in South Korea, were analyzed.

A concise review of updated global guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: 2017-2024.

Many guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been published and are regularly updated worldwide. HCC management involves a broad range of treatment options and requires multidisciplinary care, resulting in significant heterogeneity in management practices across international communities. To support standardized care for HCC, we systematically appraised 13 globally recognized guidelines and expert consensus statements, including five from Asia, four from Europe, and four from the United States.

Review on mushroom mycelium-based products and their production process: from upstream to downstream.

The global trend toward carbon neutrality and sustainability calls for collaborative efforts in both the basic and applied research sectors to utilize mushroom mycelia as environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. Fungi, along with animals and plants, are one of the major eukaryotic life forms. They have long been utilized in traditional biotechnology sectors, such as food fermentation, antibiotic production, and industrial enzyme production.

AI model using CT-based imaging biomarkers to predict hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: Various hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prediction models have been proposed for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) using clinical variables. We aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based HCC prediction model by incorporating imaging biomarkers derived from abdominal computed tomography (CT) images along with clinical variables.

Methods: An AI prediction model employing a gradient-boosting machine algorithm was developed utilizing imaging biomarkers extracted by DeepFore, a deep learning-based CT auto-segmentation software.

Role and Effectiveness of Hypofractionated Proton Beam Therapy and Combinations with Systemic Chemotherapy in Inoperable Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the clinical outcomes of hypofractionated proton beam therapy (PBT) for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) and to investigate the optimal sequencing for combining PBT with chemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 59 consecutive patients with inoperable EHCC treated with PBT. The median prescribed dose of PBT was 50 GyE (range, 45 to 66 GyE) in 10 fractions.

Lack of association between early on-treatment HBeAg seroclearance and development of hepatocellular carcinoma or decompensated cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: The association between hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) seroclearance during long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the association of HBeAg seroclearance during potent NA treatment with the development of HCC and decompensated cirrhosis.

Methods: Using a multicenter historical cohort including 2,392 non-cirrhotic adult patients with HBeAg-positive CHB who initiated NA treatment with tenofovir or entecavir, the risk of HCC and decompensated cirrhosis was compared between patients who achieved HBeAg seroclearance within 36 months of NA treatment (the HBeAg-loss group) and those who did not (the HBeAg-maintained group), using inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Bariatric intervention improves metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in patients with obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/aims: Bariatric intervention has been reported to be an effective way to improve metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in obese individuals. The current systemic review aimed to assess the changes in MRI-determined hepatic proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) after bariatric surgery or intragastric balloon/gastric banding in MASLD patients with obesity.

Methods: We searched various databases including PubMed, OVID Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library.

Extrahepatic malignancies and antiviral drugs for chronic hepatitis B: A nationwide cohort study.

Background/aims: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is related to an increased risk of extrahepatic malignancy (EHM), and antiviral treatment is associated with an incidence of EHM comparable to controls. We compared the risks of EHM and intrahepatic malignancy (IHM) between entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment.

Methods: Using data from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea, this nationwide cohort study included treatment-naïve CHB patients who initiated ETV (n=24,287) or TDF (n=29,199) therapy between 2012 and 2014.

Inhibition of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 and liver-related complications in individuals with diabetes: a Mendelian randomization and population-based cohort study.

Background And Aims: No medication has been found to reduce liver-related events. We evaluated the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on liver-related outcomes.

Approach And Results: Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with SGLT2 inhibition were identified, and a genetic risk score (GRS) was computed using the UK Biobank data (n=337,138).

Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative treatment when switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or entecavir to tenofovir alafenamide: A real-world multicenter cohort study.

Aim: Antiviral treatment reduces the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, there is a lack of high-quality evidence regarding the preventive effects of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) on HCC. We evaluated the impact of TAF use after curative treatment on HCC recurrence.

Comparison of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis.

Background/aim: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib are currently available as first-line therapy for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, comparative efficacy studies are still limited. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of these treatments in HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).

Extrahepatic malignancies in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: A nationwide cohort study.

Background And Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) encompasses heterogeneous fatty liver diseases associated with metabolic disorders. We aimed to evaluate the association between MAFLD and extrahepatic malignancies based on MAFLD subtypes.

Methods: This nationwide cohort study included 9 298 497 patients who participated in a health-screening programme of the National Health Insurance Service of Korea in 2009.

A novel method of using sound waves and artificial intelligence for the detection of vehicle's proximity from cyclists and E-scooters.

Outdoor air pollution has been found to have a significant adverse effect on health. When the authors attempted to monitor air quality that cyclists or e-scooter users' breath during commuting in different locations for health and safety analysis, it was found that the existence of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars has a significant effect on the pollution levels and the monitoring process. To comprehensively study the effect of cars and traffic on air quality that cyclists and e-scooters users experience, a low-cost and reliable system was needed to detect the proximity of cars that have diesel or petrol engines.

COVID-19 Vaccination Alters NK Cell Dynamics and Transiently Reduces HBsAg Titers Among Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination may non-specifically alter the host immune system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg) titer and host immunity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Consecutive 2,797 CHB patients who had serial HBsAg measurements during antiviral treatment were included in this study.

Protective Effect of Extract against UVB-Induced Photodamage in Keratinocytes.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays disrupt the skin by causing photodamage via processes such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, DNA damage, and/or collagen degradation. is an evergreen tree native to the southern Korean peninsula. Although it is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, its protective effect against photodamage in keratinocytes has not been investigated.

Transarterial chemoembolization as an alternative to radioembolization is associated with earlier tumor recurrence than in radioembolization-eligible patients.

Introduction: Although transarterial radioembolization (TARE) using yttrium-90 (Y) is a treatment option for large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a fraction of patients are ineligible for TARE due to high lung shunt fraction (LSF).

Methods: We evaluated if treatment with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), owing to TARE ineligibility was associated with early HCC progression. Consecutive patients with HCC who were initially TARE candidates were included.

Ethyl Gallate Isolated from var. Branches Inhibits Melanogenesis and Promotes Autophagy in B16F10 Cells.

The var. (CCS) plant grows predominantly in temperate regions of Asian countries, such as South Korea. Research on CCS has so far concentrated on the nutritional analysis, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammation properties of its branches.