Three-dimensional Differentiated Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exhibit Robust Antifibrotic Potential and Ameliorates Mouse Liver Fibrosis.

Recently, three-dimensional (3D)-cultured adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have provided an effective therapy for liver fibrosis. This study aimed to enhance the potential of human ASCs for antifibrosis or hepatocyte regeneration using a 3D culture system and investigate their therapeutic mechanism in experimental liver fibrosis. ASC-3Dc were generated in a 3D culture system and stimulated with four growth factors, namely epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, fibroblast growth factor-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A.

Clinical Features of Intra-Abdominal Abscess and Intestinal Free-Wall Perforation in Korean Patients with Crohn's Disease: Results from the CONNECT Study.

In Crohn's disease (CD), intra-abdominal abscess (IA) and intestinal free-wall perforation (IP) have a common mechanism of transmural inflammation; however, their manifestation is different. This study aimed to investigate differences in the clinical features between IA and IP in Korean patients with Crohn's disease. : A retrospective cohort study.

Trends of Incidence and Survival Rates of Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma in the Korean Population: Analysis of the Korea Central Cancer Registry Database.

Background: Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT-lymphoma) is an extranodal lymphoma that occurs at various sites in the body. There is a limited understanding of the incidence and survival rates of MALT-lymphoma. To investigate the nation-wide incidence and survival rates of MALT-lymphoma in Korea during 1999-2017, the data on MALT-lymphoma were retrieved from the Korea Central Cancer Registry.

HGF and IL-10 expressing ALB::GFP reporter cells generated from iPSCs show robust anti-fibrotic property in acute fibrotic liver model.

Background: Cell therapy using hepatocytes derived from stem cells has been regarded as a promising alternate to liver transplantation. However, the heterogeneity of these hepatocytes makes them unsuitable for therapeutic use. To overcome this limitation, we generated homogenous hepatocyte like induced hepatocyte-like (iHep) cells.

Directly induced hepatogenic cells derived from human fibroblast ameliorate liver fibrosis.

Recently, reprogramming technology has emerged as a fascinating tool to generate specific tissue cells. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ultrasound-directed cellular reprogramming can generate fibroblasts into hepatogenic cells. We directly induced human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) into hepatocyte-like cells mediated by environmental transition-guided cellular reprogramming (h/entr) using ultrasound.

Effect of Samryungbaekchul-san Combined with Otilonium Bromide on Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Conventional and herbal drugs are frequently used together to treat many disorders. Samryungbaekchul-san (SRS, a herbal formula) and otilonium bromide (OB, an antispasmodic agent) are widely used to treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) in Eastern Asian countries. However, there have been no studies on the co-administration of SRS and OB.

Transplantation of human adipose tissue derived-SVF enhance liver function through high anti-inflammatory property.

Although human adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) has been considered a promising source of stem cells, its characteristics relevant to treatment of a damaged liver have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we sought to characterize the property of human SVF and determine the therapeutic utility of SVF in the liver cirrhosis model. We performed microarray, quantitative (q)-PCR experiments, and in vivo therapeutic assays using a liver cirrhotic mouse model.

Human Adipose Derived Stem Cells Exhibit Enhanced Liver Regeneration in Acute Liver Injury by Controlled Releasing Hepatocyte Growth Factor.

Background/aims: Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide effective therapy for liver fibrosis, there are conflicting data regarding their marginal therapeutic effects. This study aimed to enhance the potential of hepatocyte regeneration in human adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and investigate whether they have robust therapeutic efficacy in experimental liver fibrosis.

Methods: ASCs were cultured with four cytokines (ASC-C), the expression of hepatogenic factors was detected by microarray, and the effects of conditioned medium (CM) from ASC-C on the activation of hepatic stellate cells were analyzed.

Fatty liver disease and the risk of erosive oesophagitis in the Korean population: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To investigate an association between fatty liver disease (FLD) and erosive oesophagitis.

Design And Setting: This was a cross-sectional study of subjects selected from examinees who underwent health check-up, including oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in one hospital between 2004 and 2011. Erosive oesophagitis was classified according to the Los Angeles classification and FLD was diagnosed with ultrasonography.

Body mass index and the risk of acute pancreatitis by etiology: A prospective analysis of Korean National Screening Cohort.

Background: It is unclear whether obesity increases the incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the general population. Further, no study has prospectively examined the associations of the risk of AP by etiology with measured body mass index (BMI) values.

Methods: A total of 512 928 Korean participants in routine health examinations during 2002-2003 were followed up until 2013 via linkage to national hospital discharge records to assess AP incidence.

Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma by age, sex, and liver disorder status: A prospective cohort study in Korea.

Background: To the authors' knowledge, relatively little is known regarding the interaction of risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with age, sex, and liver disorder status.

Methods: The authors followed 504,646 Korean patients aged 40 to 80 years who underwent routine health checkups between 2002 and 2003 until 2013 via linkage to national hospital discharge records.

Results: HCC occurred in 2744 individuals.

Effect of herbal extract granules combined with otilonium bromide on irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), known as a functional and organic gastrointestinal disorder, is a collection of symptoms that occur together and generally include pain or discomfort in the abdomen and changes in bowel movement patterns. Due to the limitations of conventional treatments, alternative IBS treatments are used by many patients worldwide. Samryungbaekchulsan (SRS), a herbal formula, has long been used for alleviating diarrhoea-predominant IBS (D-IBS) in traditional Korean medicine.

Association of a genetic polymorphism of IL1RN with risk of acute pancreatitis in a Korean ethnic group.

Background/aims: Several epidemiological studies have validated the association of interleukin gene polymorphisms with acute pancreatitis (AP) in different populations. However, there have been few studies in Asian ethnic groups. We aimed to investigate the relationships between inflammatory cytokine polymorphisms and AP as pilot research in a Korean ethnic group.

The IL-1B Genetic Polymorphism Is Associated with Aspirin-Induced PepticUlcers in a Korean Ethnic Group.

Background/aims: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with aspirin-induced peptic ulcers. However, SNPs of specific genes vary among races, and data regarding SNPs in the Korean population are scarce. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationships between SNPs of the COX-1, IL-1β, IL-1RN, and TNF genes and aspirin-induced peptic ulcers, as pilot research in a Korean population.

Usefulness of scheduled follow-up CT in discharged patients with acute pancreatitis.

Background And Aim: Follow-up computed tomography (CT) in patients with acute pancreatitis has been advocated but rarely studied. The aim of this study was to determine whether follow-up CT for acute pancreatitis might be helpful in establishing the prognosis or complications, and in determining a selected subgroup of patients for whom computed tomography could be beneficial.

Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2012, patients with acute pancreatitis who underwent follow-up CT in the outpatient department between one and three months after discharge were retrospectively enrolled.

Comparison of Predictive Systems in Severe Acute Pancreatitis According to the Revised Atlanta Classification.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the prognostic value of various predictors and complex scoring systems for prediction of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) according to the revised Atlanta classification.

Methods: C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin were obtained on admission, and CRP level 24 hours after admission (CRP2) was measured. Various scoring systems including Ranson, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Examination (APACHE II), the Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis, and Computed Tomography Severity Index (CTSI) were calculated.

Serum HBV surface antigen positivity is associated with low prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean adult men.

Background: Metabolic syndrome has clinical implications for chronic liver disease, but the relationship between chronic hepatitis B and metabolic syndrome remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity is associated with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

[Portal-splenic-mesenteric venous thrombosis in a patients with protein S deficiency due to novel PROS1 gene mutation].

Protein S (PS), a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein, performs an important role in the anticoagulation cascade as a cofactor of protein C. Because of the presence of a pseudogene and two different forms of PS in the plasma, protein S deficiency (PSD) is one of the most difficult thrombophilias to study and a rare blood disorder associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. We describe a unusual case of previously healthy 37-year-old man diagnosed with portal-splenic-mesenteric vein thrombosis secondary to PSD.

A pilot trial of ambulatory monitoring of gastric motility using a modified magnetic capsule endoscope.

The magnetic capsule endoscope has been modified to be fixed inside the stomach and to monitor the gastric motility. This pilot trial was designed to investigate the feasibility of the magnetic capsule endoscope for monitoring gastric motility. The magnetic capsule endoscope was swallowed by the healthy volunteer and maneuvered by the external magnet on his abdomen surface inside the stomach.

[A case of IgG4 associated sclerosing cholangitis without clinical manifestations of autoimmune pancreatitis].

IgG4-related systemic diseases are characterized by a diffuse or mass forming inflammatory reaction rich in lymphocytes and IgG4-positive plasma cells (lymphoplasmacytic infiltration), fibrosclerosis of variable organs and obliterative phlebitis. They usually involve various organs including the pancreas, bile duct, gallbladder, salivary gland, retroperitoneum, kidney, lung, and prostate. However, most of them are accompanied by autoimmune pancreatitis, and good response to steroid treatment is one of the hallmarks of this disease.

Is esophagogastroduodenoscopy necessary in patients with positive fecal occult blood tests and negative colonoscopy?

Background: False positives of fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) regarding colorectal cancer detection are common. The aim was to investigate the upper gastrointestinal (GI) condition confirmed by endoscopy in positive FOBT patients without advanced colorectal neoplasia, hemorrhoid, or colitis.

Methods: The authors reviewed the collective data of 340 positive FOBT patients who underwent both esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy from January 2005 to October 2011.

Which should go first during same-day upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy? A randomized prospective study focusing on colonoscopy performance.

Background: Same-day bidirectional endoscopy is commonly performed in clinical practice. However, the optimal sequence of procedures for same-day bidirectional endoscopy has not been established. The purpose of this study was to compare colonoscopy performance and quality between patients who underwent colonoscopy before or after esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).