The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system is a powerful full-thickness suturing device used for closing refractory bleeding, perforations, and fistulas in gastrointestinal diseases, offering greater force than conventional clips. Here, we report two cases of pancreatobiliary disease treated using OTSC. The first case involved the successful OTSC ligation of a colonic fistula caused by necrotizing pancreatitis, and the second was a duodenal perforation due to stent migration, which was also successfully treated with OTSC. These cases indicate that OTSC can be beneficial for pancreatobiliary diseases, potentially eliminating the need for surgery when endoscopic treatment is successful.

Background: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare and severe lung condition characterized by a rapid accumulation of eosinophils in the alveoli, leading to respiratory distress. This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of affected patients, aiming to shed light on the relationship between cigarette smoking and AEP. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 17 cases of AEP, focusing on patients' smoking habits, clinical symptoms, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes. Data were collected from medical records, imaging studies, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings. Results: The study cohort consisted primarily of male military personnel (94.1%), with a mean age of 20.8 years. Symptoms generally appeared approximately 2.82 days prior to hospitalization, with a mean body temperature at admission of 37.6 °C. The mean initial peripheral blood white blood cell count was 15.3×103/μL, with eosinophil percentages starting at 0.2%, peaking at a mean of 16.1%, and reaching as high as 32.4%. BAL fluid analysis showed a mean eosinophil level of 46.6%±15.1% (range, 17%–67%). In most cases, radiological examinations revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities, interlobular septal thickening, various degrees of airspace consolidation, and bilateral pleural effusions. Steroid treatment was administered to 70.5% of patients, lasting a mean of 8.3 days and resulting in significant improvements. Conclusions These cases reinforce the strong link between cigarette smoking and AEP. Additionally, these cases demonstrate the importance of obtaining a detailed smoking history and thorough diagnostic assessments, including BAL, in order to facilitate a more rapid diagnosis and early initiation of corticosteroid treatment.

Heart diseases are a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality, and despite their diverse and complex mechanisms, treatment options remain limited. Maltol, a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exhibits potential for addressing this need. This study evaluates the cardioprotective effects of maltol in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac stress models and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Maltol’s cardiac cytotoxicity was assessed in rodent (H9c2) and human (AC16) cells and compared with that of dapagliflozin to illustrate its cardiac safety. In ISO-induced stress models, maltol significantly reduced hypertrophic markers and inflammation while enhancing autophagy and antioxidant pathways. In the mdx mice, a DMD model, maltol treatment improved cardiac contractility and reduced pathogenic remodeling. Enhanced phosphorylation of phospholamban and trends toward higher SERCA2a expression indicated enhanced Ca 2+ handling, which is crucial in DMD cardiomyopathy. This study demonstrated that maltol has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits for DMD and other cardiac conditions characterized by hypertrophy and inflammation, as evidenced by its well-known antioxidant properties, low cytotoxicity, and capacity to enhance cardiac function and Ca 2+ handling.

Background: We investigated whether nutritional intake is associated with physical activity (PA) and handgrip strength (HGS) in individuals with airflow limitation. Methods: This study analyzed data from the 2014 and 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We assessed total protein intake (g/day), caloric intake (kcal/day), and other nutritional intakes, using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. HGS was measured three times for each hand using a digital grip strength dynamometer, and PA was assessed as health-enhancing PA. Airflow limitation was defined as a forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity ratio of 0.7 in individuals over 40 years of age. Participants were categorized into groups based on their PA levels and HGS measurements: active aerobic PA vs. non-active aerobic PA, and normal HGS vs. low HGS. Results: Among the 622 individuals with airflow limitation, those involved in active aerobic PA and those with higher HGS had notably higher total food, calorie, water, protein, and lipid intake. The correlations between protein and caloric intake with HGS were strong (correlation coefficients=0.344 and 0.346, respectively). The forest plots show that higher intakes of food, water, calories, protein, and lipids are positively associated with active aerobic PA, while higher intakes of these nutrients are inversely associated with low HGS. However, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, no significant associations were observed between nutritional intake and active aerobic PA or HGS. Conclusion Nutritional intake was found to not be an independent factor associated with PA and HGS. However, the observed correlations suggest potential indirect effects that warrant further investigation.

Purpose: Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is rich in phytochemicals (e.g., tannin and beta-carotene.), vitamins (e.g., vitamins A and C), minerals (e.g., calcium and potassium), and dietary fiber. Persimmon exhibits efficacy against diseases such as cancer, hypertension, and heart disease. This study examined the antioxidant and immune-enhancing activities of Fuyu (a sweet persimmon) and Hachiya (an astringent persimmon) and evaluated their potential as functional food ingredients. Methods: The antioxidant and immune-enhancing activities of Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons were evaluated by extracting them with hot water and ethanol (100%). The antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (RSA), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Six-year domestic red ginseng was used as a reference for assessing the immune-enhancing activity. Nitric oxide (NO) production, phagocytosis, cytokine levels interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon-γ), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression were analyzed. Results: The hot water extracts of Fuyu and Hachiya persimmon exhibited significantly higher TPC, TFC, DPPH RSA, and ORAC levels than the ethanol extract. The Hachiya persimmon extract generally showed comparable or higher immune-enhancing activity than the Fuyu persimmon extract in NO production, cytokine activity, phagocytosis, and expression of iNOS and COX-2 genes. Conclusion Hachiya persimmon possesses superior antioxidant properties to Fuyu persimmon while exhibiting comparable immune-enhancing activity. These characteristics highlight its potential for beneficial applications. Nevertheless, further research is required to elucidate these effects and optimize their use in health-promoting interventions.

Background: The positive relationship between triiodothyronine (T3) and steatotic liver disease (SLD) demonstrated only in crosssectional study. We aimed to evaluated whether total T3 (TT3) is associated with the development/resolution of SLD in longitudinal design. Methods: This retrospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort study included 1,665 South Korean euthyroid adults with ≥4 thyroid function test. We explored the impact of mean TT3 during follow-up on development/resolution of either SLD (diagnosed by ultrasound) or modified metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: During about median 5 years follow-up, 807/1,216 (66.3%) participants among participants without SLD at baseline developed SLD, and 253/318 (79.5%) participants among participants with SLD at baseline SLD resolved fatty liver. Mean TT3 rather than thyroid stimulating hormone or mean free thyroxine was significantly related with development (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.02; P=0.002) and resolution (adjusted HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96 to 0.99; P=0.005) of SLD. Compared with low mean TT3 group, high mean TT3 group was positively associated with development of SLD (adjusted HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.38; P=0.008) and inversely associated with resolution of SLD (adjusted HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.85; P=0.001). The statistical significance remained for development (adjusted HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.51; P=0.001) and resolution (adjusted HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.94; P=0.018) of modified MASLD. Conclusion In Korean euthyroid adults, TT3 level was associated with development and resolution of either SLD or modified MASLD.

The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system is a powerful full-thickness suturing device used for closing refractory bleeding, perforations, and fistulas in gastrointestinal diseases, offering greater force than conventional clips. Here, we report two cases of pancreatobiliary disease treated using OTSC. The first case involved the successful OTSC ligation of a colonic fistula caused by necrotizing pancreatitis, and the second was a duodenal perforation due to stent migration, which was also successfully treated with OTSC. These cases indicate that OTSC can be beneficial for pancreatobiliary diseases, potentially eliminating the need for surgery when endoscopic treatment is successful.

Background: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare and severe lung condition characterized by a rapid accumulation of eosinophils in the alveoli, leading to respiratory distress. This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of affected patients, aiming to shed light on the relationship between cigarette smoking and AEP. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 17 cases of AEP, focusing on patients' smoking habits, clinical symptoms, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes. Data were collected from medical records, imaging studies, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings. Results: The study cohort consisted primarily of male military personnel (94.1%), with a mean age of 20.8 years. Symptoms generally appeared approximately 2.82 days prior to hospitalization, with a mean body temperature at admission of 37.6 °C. The mean initial peripheral blood white blood cell count was 15.3×103/μL, with eosinophil percentages starting at 0.2%, peaking at a mean of 16.1%, and reaching as high as 32.4%. BAL fluid analysis showed a mean eosinophil level of 46.6%±15.1% (range, 17%–67%). In most cases, radiological examinations revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities, interlobular septal thickening, various degrees of airspace consolidation, and bilateral pleural effusions. Steroid treatment was administered to 70.5% of patients, lasting a mean of 8.3 days and resulting in significant improvements. Conclusions These cases reinforce the strong link between cigarette smoking and AEP. Additionally, these cases demonstrate the importance of obtaining a detailed smoking history and thorough diagnostic assessments, including BAL, in order to facilitate a more rapid diagnosis and early initiation of corticosteroid treatment.

Heart diseases are a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality, and despite their diverse and complex mechanisms, treatment options remain limited. Maltol, a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exhibits potential for addressing this need. This study evaluates the cardioprotective effects of maltol in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac stress models and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Maltol’s cardiac cytotoxicity was assessed in rodent (H9c2) and human (AC16) cells and compared with that of dapagliflozin to illustrate its cardiac safety. In ISO-induced stress models, maltol significantly reduced hypertrophic markers and inflammation while enhancing autophagy and antioxidant pathways. In the mdx mice, a DMD model, maltol treatment improved cardiac contractility and reduced pathogenic remodeling. Enhanced phosphorylation of phospholamban and trends toward higher SERCA2a expression indicated enhanced Ca 2+ handling, which is crucial in DMD cardiomyopathy. This study demonstrated that maltol has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits for DMD and other cardiac conditions characterized by hypertrophy and inflammation, as evidenced by its well-known antioxidant properties, low cytotoxicity, and capacity to enhance cardiac function and Ca 2+ handling.