Background: Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), the major protein component of high-density lipoprotein, is increasingly recognized for its immunomodulatory roles beyond lipid transport, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory functions. Although ApoA-I can modulate immune cell activity, its effect on eosinophils remains poorly understood. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether ApoA-I could modulate human eosinophil activation and survival during fungal stimulation and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Human eosinophils were isolated and stimulated with Alternaria alternata or β-glucan in the presence or absence of recombinant ApoA-I. Eosinophil degranulation was assessed by measuring eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) release using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Surface CD11b expression and cell viability were evaluated using flow cytometry. Dose-response experiments and comparisons with apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) were also conducted. Results: ApoA-I markedly increased EDN secretion and upregulated CD11b expression upon fungal stimulation. It also improved eosinophil viability, with effects comparable to those of IL-5. These responses were specific to ApoA-I, as ApoA-II did not elicit similar effects. Conclusion ApoA-I enhanced eosinophil activation and survival following fungal stimulation. These findings underscore the context-dependent immunomodulatory role of ApoA-I and its potential as a regulator of antifungal immunity.

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. Results: Seven hundred and eighty-two patients with genotype 1 or 2 chronic hepatitis C who were treated with GLE/PIB (n=575) or SOF/LDV (n=207) were included in this retrospective study. The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics revealed significant statistical differences in age, genotype, ascites, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma between the GLE/PIB and SOF/LDV groups. Twenty-two patients did not complete the treatment protocol. The treatment completion rate was high for both regimens without statistical significance (97.7% vs. 95.7%, p=0.08). The overall SVR12 of intention-to-treat analysis was 81.2% vs. 80.7% without statistical significance (p=0.87). The overall SVR12 of per protocol analysis was 98.7% vs. 100% without statistical significance (p=0.14). Six patients treated with GLE/PIB experienced treatment failure. They were all male, genotype 2, and showed a negative hepatitis C virus RNA level at the end of treatment. Two patients treated with GLE/PIB stopped medication because of fever and abdominal discomfort. Conclusions Both regimens had similar treatment completion rates, effectiveness, and safety profiles. Therefore, the SOF/LDV regimen can also be considered a viable DAA for the treatment of patients with genotype 1 or 2 chronic hepatitis C.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate dietary habits related to weight reduction and snack intake habits of 4th to 5th grade elementary students located in Jeju-si, Jeju, South Korea. METHODS: The 4(th) and 5(th) grade elementary school students (total n = 234, equally matched numbers of normal weight children and overweight/obese children (n = 117/group)) were surveyed using a questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall method in Oct 2015. RESULTS: The percentage of students who experienced reduced food intake to control weight was 26.3% in the normal weight group (NG) and 77.6% in the obese group (OG). Most frequently answered meal for reduced intake was snacks in the NG and dinner in the OG. Percentages of daily calorie intake among subjects were 17.2% for breakfast, 33.8% for lunch, 29.7% for dinner, and 19.3% for snacks. Frequency of snack intake was 2.1 times a week in NG and 1.6 times a week in OG, which showed a statistical difference between body weight groups. Types of snack foods were distinctly different depending on where children consumed them, although no difference was observed between NG and OG. In addition, snack intake level of low energy and nutrient-dense foods was significantly lower in the OG compared to the NG, whereas snack intake level of energy dense and low-nutritive foods was not different between the OG and NG. CONCLUSION: Taken together, snack intake level with consideration of frequency and amount of snack intake showed that children in the OG consumed significantly less low energy and nutrient-dense foods compared to the NG. Therefore, nutritional education for choosing healthy snack foods for children regardless of body weight status is crucial based on family-school links.
Body Weight ; Breakfast ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Eating ; Education ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Korea ; Lunch ; Meals ; Methods ; Obesity ; Snacks* ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: Recurrence of glenohumeral dislocation after arthroscopic Bankart repair can be associated with a large osseous defect in the posterosuperior part of the humeral head. Our hypothesis is that remplissage is more effective to prevent recurrence of glenohumeral instability without a severe motion deficit. METHODS: Engaging Hill-Sachs lesions were observed in 48 of 737 patients (6.5%). Twenty-four patients underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair combined with remplissage (group I) and the other 24 patients underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair alone (group II). Clinical outcomes were prospectively evaluated by assessing the range of motion. Complications, recurrence rates, and functional results were assessed utilizing the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Rowe score, and the Korean Shoulder Score for Instability (KSSI) score. Capsulotenodesis healing after remplissage was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The average ASES, Rowe, and KSSI scores were statistically significantly higher in group I than group II. The frequency of recurrence was statistically significantly higher in group II. The average loss in external rotation measured with the arm positioned at the side of the trunk was greater in group II and that in abduction was also higher in group II. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to single arthroscopic Bankart repair, the remplissage procedure combined with arthroscopic Bankart repair was more effective to prevent the recurrence of anterior shoulder instability without significant impact on shoulder mobility in patients who had huge Hill-Sachs lesions.
Arm ; Elbow ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Joint Instability ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Recurrence ; Shoulder Dislocation ; Shoulder* ; Surgeons

Dieulafoy's lesion is an unusual cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage that results from the erosion of an abnormally large submucosal artery. In most cases, the lesion is encountered in the proximal stomach within 6 cm of the gastroesophageal junction. However, similar lesions have been reported in the antrum, duodenum, colon, and rectum. In particular, jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion Dieulafoy's lesion is an unusual cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage that results from the erosion of an abnormally large submucosal artery. In most cases, the lesion is encountered in the proximal stomach within 6 cm of the gastroesophageal junction. However, similar lesions have been reported in the antrum, duodenum, colon, and rectum. In particular, jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion is extremely rare. We report a case of jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion with recurrent and massive bleeding, which was diagnosed and treated with the double-balloon enteroscopy.
Arteries ; Colon ; Double-Balloon Enteroscopy* ; Duodenum ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage ; Jejunum* ; Rectum ; Stomach

Dieulafoy's lesion is an unusual cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage that results from the erosion of an abnormally large submucosal artery. In most cases, the lesion is encountered in the proximal stomach within 6 cm of the gastroesophageal junction. However, similar lesions have been reported in the antrum, duodenum, colon, and rectum. In particular, jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion Dieulafoy's lesion is an unusual cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage that results from the erosion of an abnormally large submucosal artery. In most cases, the lesion is encountered in the proximal stomach within 6 cm of the gastroesophageal junction. However, similar lesions have been reported in the antrum, duodenum, colon, and rectum. In particular, jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion is extremely rare. We report a case of jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion with recurrent and massive bleeding, which was diagnosed and treated with the double-balloon enteroscopy.
Arteries ; Colon ; Double-Balloon Enteroscopy* ; Duodenum ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage ; Jejunum* ; Rectum ; Stomach