Case-control study of IL23R rs76418789 polymorphism, smoking, and ulcerative colitis in Japan.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-23 is involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). A genome-wide significant association between IL23R p.G149R (rs76418789) and UC was previously identified in Japan and Korea.

Coffee and caffeine intake reduces risk of ulcerative colitis: a case-control study in Japan.

Background And Aim: Although diet is one of the potential environmental factors affecting ulcerative colitis (UC), evidence is not sufficient to draw definitive conclusions. This Japanese case-control study examined the association between the consumption of coffee, other caffeine-containing beverages and food, and total caffeine and the risk of UC.

Methods: The study involved 384 UC cases and 665 control subjects.

IL12B rs6887695 polymorphism and interaction with alcohol intake in the risk of ulcerative colitis in Japan.

Background: The interleukin (IL)-23/Th17 pathway plays a critical role in ulcerative colitis (UC). The IL-12p40 subunit, which is shared by IL-23 and IL-12, is encoded by the IL12B gene. The current case-control study investigated the association between IL12B SNP rs6887695 and the UC risk.

Active and passive smoking and risk of ulcerative colitis: A case-control study in Japan.

Background And Aim: Although an inverse relationship between current smoking and the development of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been shown in North America and Europe, evidence is limited in Asian countries, where the incidence of UC is rapidly increasing. This Japanese case-control study examined the association between active and passive smoking and risk of UC.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on smoking and potential confounding factors in 384 cases with a diagnosis of UC within the past 4 years and 665 controls.

Dietary intake of vegetables, fruit, and antioxidants and risk of ulcerative colitis: A case-control study in Japan.

Objectives: Oxidative stress is considered one of the etiologic factors involved in ulcerative colitis (UC), yet there is limited epidemiologic information regarding the relationship between antioxidant intake and the risk of UC. The aim of the present case-control study in Japan was to examine the association between intake of green and yellow vegetables, other vegetables, fruit, vitamin C, vitamin E, retinol, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and cryptoxanthin and UC risk.

Methods: A total of 384 cases within 4 y of diagnosis with UC and 665 controls were included in the study.

Serum Globulin Is Associated with Endoscopic Findings and Mucosal Healing in Japanese Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Serum globulin is an inflammation marker. To date, no evidence regarding the association between serum globulin and disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis has been reported.

Aims: We evaluated the association between serum globulin and endoscopic activity in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Association between platelet count and mucosal healing in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Mucosal healing (MH) has been indicated as the therapeutic goal for ulcerative colitis (UC). Platelet count is known as an inflammation evaluation. However, the association between platelet count and MH among patients with UC is still scarce.

Surveillance of Hepatitis Viruses in Several Small Islands of Japan by Ship: A Public Health Approach for Elimination of Hepatitis Viruses by 2030.

Aim: In 1990, an epidemiological survey by ship in some Japanese islands revealed high prevalence of hepatitis viruses and human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV). A second prevalence study of these viruses were accomplished in 2018, 28 years after initial survey. Analysis of these studies provide insights about strategies of elimination of hepatitis viruses at remote areas.

Low Serum Levels of Zonulin in Patients with HCV-Infected Chronic Liver Diseases.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the implication of Zonulin, a mediator protein synthesized by intestine and the liver,in patients with chronic liver diseases.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-six patients with chronic liver diseases due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) were enrolled in this study. Out of total 26 patients, 17 were diagnosed as chronic hepatitis (CH) and 9 were patients with liver cirrhosis (LC).

Depletion of B cell-activating factor attenuates hepatic fat accumulation in a murine model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Obesity-induced adipose-tissue dysfunction is a critical contributor to the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is an adipokine related to impaired insulin sensitivity, and the serum BAFF concentration is associated with NAFLD severity. In this study, we aimed to determine the direct in vivo role of BAFF in the development of insulin resistance, adipocyte dysfunction, and hepatic steatosis using BAFF mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Characterization of Liver Monocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Their Role in a Murine Model of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are potent suppressors of T cell immunity in tumors and inflammatory diseases. They are identified by surface expression of CD11b+Gr1+ in mice, and CD11b+Gr1+ cells accumulate in the livers of obese mice. However, many myeloid cells share these CD11b+Gr1+ markers.

Submucosal tumor-like lesion originating from colon tuberculosis: a case report and review of the literature.

A 76-year-old male had a solitary submucosal tumor-like lesion in the sigmoid colon originating from tuberculosis. The lesion, up to 1 cm in diameter, was found incidentally during a routine colonoscopy, which revealed a protuberant submucosal growth with a shallow depression of the overlying mucosa in the center of the tumor. Histologically, the endoscopic biopsy revealed caseating granulomas and infiltration of Langhans giant cells and epithelioid cells, consistent with tuberculosis, were also observed.

Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for the onset of impaired fasting glucose in men with a high plasma glucose level: a community-based study.

Background: It is not clear whether elevated uric acid is a risk factor for the onset of impaired fasting glucose after stratifying by baseline fasting plasma glucose levels. We conducted a community-based retrospective longitudinal cohort study to clarify the relationship between uric acid levels and the onset of impaired fasting glucose, according to baseline fasting plasma glucose levels.

Methods: We enrolled 6,403 persons (3,194 men and 3,209 women), each of whom was 18-80 years old and had > 2 annual check-ups during 2003-2010.

Short sleep duration reduces the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease onset in men: a community-based longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Epidemiologic studies show an association between short sleep duration and the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study examined the association between short sleep duration and the onset of NAFLD.

Methods: This community-based, retrospective, longitudinal cohort study included 6,370 Japanese subjects who had undergone annual health check-ups more than twice at a single center between April 2003 and March 2010.

Significance of exercise in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in men: a community-based large cross-sectional study.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease that could progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. We aimed to assess the relationship between NAFLD and lifestyle habits.

Methods: Using a community-based, cross-sectional design, the records of 11,094 Japanese subjects who had undergone at least 1 annual health checkup were reviewed.

B cell-activating factor is associated with the histological severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Purpose: B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is expressed in adipocytes and affects lipogenesis and insulin sensitivity. In addition, the BAFF receptor is expressed in visceral adipose tissue and liver. The aim of this study was to analyze serum BAFF levels in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and simple steatosis (SS) and to compare their respective clinical and histological findings.

B cell activating factor in obesity is regulated by oxidative stress in adipocytes.

Adipose tissue functions as a key endocrine organ by releasing multiple bioactive substances, and plays a key role in the integration of systemic metabolism. We have previously shown that B cell activating factor is produced mainly in visceral adipose tissue and affects insulin sensitivity in obese individuals. In this study, we identified the signals that lead to production of B cell activating factor in adipocytes.

Blockade of B-cell-activating factor signaling enhances hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet and improves insulin sensitivity.

Chronic inflammation is an important contributor to the development and progression of metabolic syndrome. Recent evidence indicates that, in addition to innate immune cells, adaptive immune cells have an important role in this process. We previously showed that the serum level of B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) was increased in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

B cell-activating factor controls the production of adipokines and induces insulin resistance.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) inflammation has been linked to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. VAT has recently been established as a new component of the immune system and is involved in the production of various adipokines and cytokines. These molecules contribute to inducing and accelerating systemic insulin resistance.