Hepatic dysregulation of lipid metabolism exacerbates inflammation and enhances the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). STAT3 has been linked to lipid metabolism and inflammation. Jolkinolide B (JB), derived from Euphorbia fischeriana, is known for its pharmacological anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Therefore, this study investigated whether JB affects MASLD prevention by regulating STAT3 signaling. JB attenuated steatosis and inflammatory responses in palmitic acid (PA)-treated hepatocytes. Additionally, JB treatment reduced the mRNA expression of de-novo lipogenic genes, such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1. Interestingly, JB-mediated reduction in inflammation and lipogenesis was dependent on STAT3 signaling. JB consistently modulated mitochondrial dysfunction and the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting PA-induced JAK/STAT3 activation. This study suggests that JB is a potential therapeutic agent to prevent major stages of MASLD through inhibition of JAK/STAT3 signaling in hepatocytes.

Hepatic dysregulation of lipid metabolism exacerbates inflammation and enhances the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). STAT3 has been linked to lipid metabolism and inflammation. Jolkinolide B (JB), derived from Euphorbia fischeriana, is known for its pharmacological anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Therefore, this study investigated whether JB affects MASLD prevention by regulating STAT3 signaling. JB attenuated steatosis and inflammatory responses in palmitic acid (PA)-treated hepatocytes. Additionally, JB treatment reduced the mRNA expression of de-novo lipogenic genes, such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1. Interestingly, JB-mediated reduction in inflammation and lipogenesis was dependent on STAT3 signaling. JB consistently modulated mitochondrial dysfunction and the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting PA-induced JAK/STAT3 activation. This study suggests that JB is a potential therapeutic agent to prevent major stages of MASLD through inhibition of JAK/STAT3 signaling in hepatocytes.

Hepatic dysregulation of lipid metabolism exacerbates inflammation and enhances the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). STAT3 has been linked to lipid metabolism and inflammation. Jolkinolide B (JB), derived from Euphorbia fischeriana, is known for its pharmacological anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Therefore, this study investigated whether JB affects MASLD prevention by regulating STAT3 signaling. JB attenuated steatosis and inflammatory responses in palmitic acid (PA)-treated hepatocytes. Additionally, JB treatment reduced the mRNA expression of de-novo lipogenic genes, such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1. Interestingly, JB-mediated reduction in inflammation and lipogenesis was dependent on STAT3 signaling. JB consistently modulated mitochondrial dysfunction and the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting PA-induced JAK/STAT3 activation. This study suggests that JB is a potential therapeutic agent to prevent major stages of MASLD through inhibition of JAK/STAT3 signaling in hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Because of the limited geographic distribution, there have been insufficient data regarding hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 in Korea. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and available treatment outcomes of patients with genotype 6 HCV in Korea. METHODS: From 2004 to 2014, data were collected from Korean patients infected with genotype 6 HCV in eight hospitals. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients had genotype 6 HCV. The median age was 44 years, and 6c was the most common subtype. The baseline median alanine transaminase level was 88 (21 to 1,019) IU/mL, and the HCV RNA level was 1,405,000 (96,500 to 28,844,529) IU/mL. Twenty-five patients were treated with peginterferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin. Three follow-up losses occurred. Additionally, 13 patients attained a sustained virologic response (SVR), seven patients relapsed, and two patients exhibited a null response. The SVR rates were 40% and 75% for the 24- and more than 48-week treatments, respectively, and five of the six patients who achieved a rapid virologic response (RVR) attained a SVR. CONCLUSIONS: Korean patients infected with genotype 6 HCV are relatively young, and 6c is the most common subtype. When treated with PEG-IFN and ribavirin, the SVR rate was 52%. Similar to other genotypes, a longer duration of treatment and attainment of RVR are important for SVR.
Alanine Transaminase ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genotype* ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Ribavirin* ; RNA ; Treatment Outcome*

We investigated the use of Polycaprolactone (PCL)/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composites with applied mechanical stimulation as scaffold for bone tissue engineering. PCL-based three-dimensional (3D) structures were fabricated in a solvent-free process using a 3D-printing technique. The mass fraction of β-TCP was varied in the range 0–30%, and the structure and compressive modulus of the specimens was characterized. The shape and interconnectivity of the pores was found to be satisfactory, and the compressive modulus of the specimens was comparable with that of human trabecular bone. Human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded on the composites, and various biological evaluations were performed over 9 days. With a mass fraction of β-TCP of 30%, differentiation began earlier; however, the cell proliferation rate was lower. Through the use of mechanical stimulation, however, the proliferation rate recovered, and was comparable with that of the other groups. This stimulation effect was also observed in ECM generation and other biological assays. With mechanical stimulation, expression of osteogenic markers was lower on samples with a β-TCP content of 10 wt% than without β-TCP; however, with mechanical stimulation, the sample with a β-TCP content of 30 wt% exhibited significantly greater expression of those markers than the other samples. We found that mechanical stimulation and the addition of β-TCP interacted closely, and that a mass fraction of β-TCP of 30% was particularly useful as a bone tissue scaffold when accompanied by mechanical stimulation.
Biological Assay ; Bone and Bones ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Breast cancer is a rare disease in men. We report a case of 53-year-old obese male, with known cryptogenic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, presenting a tender mass on left breast. He was diagnosed with invasive intraductal carcinoma, which was consistent with a sporadic lesion. On the basis of previous literatures, obesity can be regarded as a cause for breast cancer even in men. However, there has been inconsistent data about link between liver cirrhosis and male breast cancer, which can be due to heterogenity in the etiology of cirrhosis. Through this case, it can be postulated that the risk for male breast cancer may vary according to the etiology of cirrhosis.
Breast Neoplasms, Male/*etiology/secondary/ultrasonography ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis/pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications/*diagnosis/pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A colonic muco-submucosal elongated polyp (CMSEP) was identified at colonoscopy in a 53-year-old male patient with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Non-polypoid depressed type of early cancer was noted at the tip of the colonic polyp. The CMSEP is very rare and incidentally found in most cases. Moreover, its association with colonic neoplasia is extremely rare. To our knowledge, this is the second case report of CMSEP associated with a cancerous transformation.
Colonic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Colonic Polyps/*pathology ; Colonoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa/*pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

The term inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) has been used to describe inflammatory and fibrosing tumoral processes of an undetermined cause that may involve a variety of organ system. IgG4-related disease is a newly recognized fibroinflammatory condition characterized by IgG4-producing plasma cell expansion in affected organs and, often but not always, elevated serum IgG4 concentrations. IgG4-related IPTs, a subtype of IPT, are characterized by dense infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells and stromal fibrosis. The association between inflammatory pseudotumor and IgG4 was first reported with a regard to sclerosing pancreatitis. Despite there are many reports on intraperitoneal IPTs including both cellular and lymphoplasmacytic type, only a few cases have been confirmed to be IgG4-related. We experienced a case of intraperitoneal IgG4-related inflammatory pseudotumor in an 83-year-old woman presenting with epigastric pain and malaise. Surgical specimens revealed an IgG4-related inflammatory pseudotumor.
Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Female ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*blood ; Plasma Cells/metabolism ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The term inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) has been used to describe inflammatory and fibrosing tumoral processes of an undetermined cause that may involve a variety of organ system. IgG4-related disease is a newly recognized fibroinflammatory condition characterized by IgG4-producing plasma cell expansion in affected organs and, often but not always, elevated serum IgG4 concentrations. IgG4-related IPTs, a subtype of IPT, are characterized by dense infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells and stromal fibrosis. The association between inflammatory pseudotumor and IgG4 was first reported with a regard to sclerosing pancreatitis. Despite there are many reports on intraperitoneal IPTs including both cellular and lymphoplasmacytic type, only a few cases have been confirmed to be IgG4-related. We experienced a case of intraperitoneal IgG4-related inflammatory pseudotumor in an 83-year-old woman presenting with epigastric pain and malaise. Surgical specimens revealed an IgG4-related inflammatory pseudotumor.
Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Female ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*blood ; Plasma Cells/metabolism ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the severity of depression, degree of life satisfaction, level of stress, and resilience among patients in the first 6 months after a spinal cord injury (SCI). METHOD: 36 patients with SCI were asked to fill out questionnaires concerning Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-BREF, Stress Response Inventory, and Connor-Davidson resilience scale. All patients had experienced an SCI within the last 6 months before the commencement of this study. RESULTS: In our study, the patients who experienced the SCI within the last six months had a higher rate of depression (63.9%) and a higher overall level of depression (13.8 points). The unmarried group had a significantly higher quality of life (QOL; p<0.05) when compared with the married group. In the motor complete group, severity of depression and level of stress were higher, whereas QOL was lower than the motor incomplete group (p<0.05). The mean American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Motor Score (AMS) was much higher in the non-depressive group (p<0.05) when compared with the depressive group. CONCLUSION: We found the patients within six months after SCI injury had higher rate of depression and higher overall level of depression. Also, patients with motor complete injury had affected significantly on depression, QOL and stress. We found the married patients had poorer QOL and depressive group had lower AMS score of lower extremity. Therefore, there should be emphasis of psychological care who have motor complete injury and are married during the early stage.
Depression ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Quality of Life ; Single Person ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Injuries ; World Health Organization ; Surveys and Questionnaires