In July 2024， the European Association for the Study of the Liver released the latest edition of EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on liver transplantation. The purpose of the EASL guidelines presented here is not to cover all aspects of liver transplantation， but to focus on important advances since the release of the 2016 edition of EASL guidelines. This article gives an excerpt of the recommendations in the guidelines.

Objective: We aimed to elucidate the metabolic function and phenotype of AK5, a gene with an unknown function in metabolism. Methods: We generated AK5 knockout (KO) mice and administered high-fat and fasting diets to the mice to confirm their physiological phenotype and metabolic differences. Results: In the high-fat diet (HFD) test, no differences in body weight, epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), or fat mass of AK5 KO mice were observed. In indirect calorimetry, the respiratory exchange ratio and activity counts increased in normal chow diet mice, but there was no difference between the HFD groups. At the mRNA level, there were no significant differences in the expression of lipid metabolism markers between wild-type and AK5 KO mice. Still, the glucose signal of adipocytes increased in AK5 KO mice. In the fasting test, the eWAT of AK5 KO mice was significantly reduced, as was the expression of lipid metabolism and inflammation-related immune markers. Thus, the apoptosis of adipocytes increased, and an imbalance in energy metabolism occurred. Conclusions and Relevance: When AK5 KO mice are energy deficient, it becomes difficult to use eWAT for energy storage, imbalance occurs, and apoptosis of adipocytes in eWAT increases.

Objective: We aimed to elucidate the metabolic function and phenotype of AK5, a gene with an unknown function in metabolism. Methods: We generated AK5 knockout (KO) mice and administered high-fat and fasting diets to the mice to confirm their physiological phenotype and metabolic differences. Results: In the high-fat diet (HFD) test, no differences in body weight, epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), or fat mass of AK5 KO mice were observed. In indirect calorimetry, the respiratory exchange ratio and activity counts increased in normal chow diet mice, but there was no difference between the HFD groups. At the mRNA level, there were no significant differences in the expression of lipid metabolism markers between wild-type and AK5 KO mice. Still, the glucose signal of adipocytes increased in AK5 KO mice. In the fasting test, the eWAT of AK5 KO mice was significantly reduced, as was the expression of lipid metabolism and inflammation-related immune markers. Thus, the apoptosis of adipocytes increased, and an imbalance in energy metabolism occurred. Conclusions and Relevance: When AK5 KO mice are energy deficient, it becomes difficult to use eWAT for energy storage, imbalance occurs, and apoptosis of adipocytes in eWAT increases.

A significant portion of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases occurs in populations exposed to air pollution. The World Health Organization has identified air pollution as a human carcinogen, prompting many countries to implement monitoring systems for ambient particulate matter (PM). PM is composed of a complex mixture of organic and inorganic particles, both solid and liquid, that are found in the air. Given the carcinogenic properties of PM and the high prevalence of lung cancer among exposed populations, exploring their connection and clinical implications is critical for effectively preventing lung cancer in this group. This review explores the relationship between ambient PM and lung cancer. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a dose-response relationship between PM exposure and lung cancer risk. PM exposure induces oxidative stress, disrupts the body’s redox balance, and causes DNA damage, which is a crucial factor in cancer development. Recent findings on the strong correlation between ambient PM and adenocarcinoma highlight the importance of understanding the specific molecular and pathological mechanisms underlying pollution-related lung cancer. In addition to efforts to control emission sources at the international level, a more individualized approach is essential for preventing PM-related lung cancer.

Elastofibroma is a rare soft tissue tumor that most commonly occurs in the subscapular region. It has also been reported in several other anatomical locations. To our knowledge, no previous reports have described elastofibromas in the anterior aspect of the face. A 36-year-old man with intellectual disability was referred to our department for the evaluation of a painless multinodular lesion on the philtrum. The lesion was initially misdiagnosed as a dermatologic condition by the department of dermatology and was treated accordingly, however, it worsened, prompting referral to our department. We performed a surgical excision of the lesion and reconstructed the resulting skin defect with a skin graft. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of elastofibroma. This case underscores the importance of including elastofibroma in the differential diagnosis of facial neoplasms, particularly when the presentation is phymatous.

A significant portion of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases occurs in populations exposed to air pollution. The World Health Organization has identified air pollution as a human carcinogen, prompting many countries to implement monitoring systems for ambient particulate matter (PM). PM is composed of a complex mixture of organic and inorganic particles, both solid and liquid, that are found in the air. Given the carcinogenic properties of PM and the high prevalence of lung cancer among exposed populations, exploring their connection and clinical implications is critical for effectively preventing lung cancer in this group. This review explores the relationship between ambient PM and lung cancer. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a dose-response relationship between PM exposure and lung cancer risk. PM exposure induces oxidative stress, disrupts the body’s redox balance, and causes DNA damage, which is a crucial factor in cancer development. Recent findings on the strong correlation between ambient PM and adenocarcinoma highlight the importance of understanding the specific molecular and pathological mechanisms underlying pollution-related lung cancer. In addition to efforts to control emission sources at the international level, a more individualized approach is essential for preventing PM-related lung cancer.

A significant portion of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases occurs in populations exposed to air pollution. The World Health Organization has identified air pollution as a human carcinogen, prompting many countries to implement monitoring systems for ambient particulate matter (PM). PM is composed of a complex mixture of organic and inorganic particles, both solid and liquid, that are found in the air. Given the carcinogenic properties of PM and the high prevalence of lung cancer among exposed populations, exploring their connection and clinical implications is critical for effectively preventing lung cancer in this group. This review explores the relationship between ambient PM and lung cancer. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a dose-response relationship between PM exposure and lung cancer risk. PM exposure induces oxidative stress, disrupts the body’s redox balance, and causes DNA damage, which is a crucial factor in cancer development. Recent findings on the strong correlation between ambient PM and adenocarcinoma highlight the importance of understanding the specific molecular and pathological mechanisms underlying pollution-related lung cancer. In addition to efforts to control emission sources at the international level, a more individualized approach is essential for preventing PM-related lung cancer.

Elastofibroma is a rare soft tissue tumor that most commonly occurs in the subscapular region. It has also been reported in several other anatomical locations. To our knowledge, no previous reports have described elastofibromas in the anterior aspect of the face. A 36-year-old man with intellectual disability was referred to our department for the evaluation of a painless multinodular lesion on the philtrum. The lesion was initially misdiagnosed as a dermatologic condition by the department of dermatology and was treated accordingly, however, it worsened, prompting referral to our department. We performed a surgical excision of the lesion and reconstructed the resulting skin defect with a skin graft. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of elastofibroma. This case underscores the importance of including elastofibroma in the differential diagnosis of facial neoplasms, particularly when the presentation is phymatous.

Objective: We aimed to elucidate the metabolic function and phenotype of AK5, a gene with an unknown function in metabolism. Methods: We generated AK5 knockout (KO) mice and administered high-fat and fasting diets to the mice to confirm their physiological phenotype and metabolic differences. Results: In the high-fat diet (HFD) test, no differences in body weight, epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), or fat mass of AK5 KO mice were observed. In indirect calorimetry, the respiratory exchange ratio and activity counts increased in normal chow diet mice, but there was no difference between the HFD groups. At the mRNA level, there were no significant differences in the expression of lipid metabolism markers between wild-type and AK5 KO mice. Still, the glucose signal of adipocytes increased in AK5 KO mice. In the fasting test, the eWAT of AK5 KO mice was significantly reduced, as was the expression of lipid metabolism and inflammation-related immune markers. Thus, the apoptosis of adipocytes increased, and an imbalance in energy metabolism occurred. Conclusions and Relevance: When AK5 KO mice are energy deficient, it becomes difficult to use eWAT for energy storage, imbalance occurs, and apoptosis of adipocytes in eWAT increases.

A significant portion of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases occurs in populations exposed to air pollution. The World Health Organization has identified air pollution as a human carcinogen, prompting many countries to implement monitoring systems for ambient particulate matter (PM). PM is composed of a complex mixture of organic and inorganic particles, both solid and liquid, that are found in the air. Given the carcinogenic properties of PM and the high prevalence of lung cancer among exposed populations, exploring their connection and clinical implications is critical for effectively preventing lung cancer in this group. This review explores the relationship between ambient PM and lung cancer. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a dose-response relationship between PM exposure and lung cancer risk. PM exposure induces oxidative stress, disrupts the body’s redox balance, and causes DNA damage, which is a crucial factor in cancer development. Recent findings on the strong correlation between ambient PM and adenocarcinoma highlight the importance of understanding the specific molecular and pathological mechanisms underlying pollution-related lung cancer. In addition to efforts to control emission sources at the international level, a more individualized approach is essential for preventing PM-related lung cancer.