Draft genome sequence of kiy1 isolated from unpasteurized honey.

In this study, a draft genome sequence of kiy1 isolated from unpasteurized honey in Japan was analyzed. This strain was reported to be a promising arabitol-producing strain, and this report contributes to a better understanding of arabitol production in yeasts.

d-Arabitol production by a high arabitol-producing yeast, Zygosaccharomyces sp. Gz-5 isolated from miso.

d-Arabitol, an alternative sweetener to sugar, has low calorie content, high sweetness, low glycemic index, and insulin resistance-improving ability. In this study, d-arabitol-producing yeast strains were isolated from various commercial types of miso, and strain Gz-5 was selected among these strains. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the internal transcribed spacer sequence revealed that strain Gz-5 was distinct from Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, a major fermenting yeast of miso.

Differential Mortality Outcomes in Real-world Patients with Lean, Nonobese, and Obese Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background And Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is commonly associated with obesity but can develop in normal-weight people (lean NAFLD). We compared outcomes in lean, overweight, and obese NAFLD.

Methods: This retrospective chart review included patients at Stanford University Medical Center with NAFLD confirmed by imaging between March 1995 and December 2021.

Increased spine bone density in patients with chronic hepatitis B switched to tenofovir alafenamide: A prospective, multinational study.

Background: Data on patients switched to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) from nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) other than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate are limited.

Aims: To assess the treatment and renal/bone safety outcomes following the switch to TAF.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled adult patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who switched from any NUC to TAF at 14 centres in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the U.

Sex Differences in Treatment Response to Nucleos(t)ide Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B: A Multicenter Longitudinal Study.

Background & Aims: It is unclear if there may be sex differences in response to nucleos(t)ide analogs including virologic response (VR), biochemical response (BR), complete response (CR), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence among hepatitis B patients. We compared nucleos(t)ide analog treatment outcomes by sex.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 3388 treatment-naïve adult hepatitis B patients (1250 female, 2138 male) from the Real-World Evidence from the Global Alliance for the Study of Hepatitis B Virus consortium who initiated therapy with either entecavir or tenofovir from 22 sites (Argentina, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States).

Differences in liver and mortality outcomes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by race and ethnicity: A longitudinal real-world study.

Background/aims: Understanding of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) continues to expand, but the relationship between race and ethnicity and NAFLD outside the use of cross-sectional data is lacking. Using longitudinal data, we investigated the role of race and ethnicity in adverse outcomes in NAFLD patients.

Methods: Patients with NAFLD confirmed by imaging via manual chart review from any clinics at Stanford University Medical Center (1995-2021) were included.

Isolation of Zygosaccharomyces siamensis kiy1 as a novel arabitol-producing yeast and its arabitol production.

Arabitol is gaining attention in the food industry as an alternative sweetener owing to its low-caloric and non-cariogenic characteristics. The yeast strain kiy1 was newly isolated from unpasteurized honey for arabitol production. Based on internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis, the isolated strain was identified as Zygosaccharomyces siamensis.

Real-world treatment outcome with protease inhibitor direct-acting antiviral in advanced hepatitis C cirrhosis: a REAL-C study.

Introduction: Current guidelines discourage the use of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) containing protease-inhibitor (PI) in advanced HCV cirrhosis. We aimed to compare the real-world tolerability of PI vs. non-PI DAA regimens in this population.

Antiviral therapy substantially reduces HCC risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in the indeterminate phase.

Background And Aims: HCC risk in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is higher in the indeterminate phase compared with the inactive phase. However, it is unclear if antiviral therapy reduces HCC risk in this population. We aimed to evaluate the association between antiviral therapy and HCC risk in the indeterminate phase.

De novo genome assembly and analysis of Zalaria sp. Him3, a novel fructooligosaccharides producing yeast.

Background: Zalaria sp. Him3 was reported as a novel fructooligosaccharides (FOS) producing yeast. However, Zalaria spp.

Outcomes of Sequential Therapy With Tenofovir Alafenamide After Long-term Entecavir.

Introduction: Entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) are both first-line hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapies, but ETV-to-TAF switch outcome data are limited. We aimed to assess outcomes up to 96 weeks after ETV-to-TAF switch.

Methods: ETV-treated (≥12 months) chronic hepatitis B patients switched to TAF in routine practice at 15 centers (United States, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan) were included.

Personality traits and BMI trends over three years in Japanese university students.

In Europe and America, associations between personality traits and body-mass index (BMI) have been reported. However, in Japan, the association between personality traits and BMI (i.e.

Differential characteristics and outcomes of Asian and non-Asian patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection differs between Asians and non-Asians, but little is known regarding the effect of ethnicity on outcomes of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aim to characterize the presentation and survival outcomes in Asian and non-Asian patients with HBV-related HCC.

Methods: We analyzed the baseline characteristics and long-term survival of 613 Asian and 410 non-Asian patients with HBV-related HCC from three US and one Spanish centre.

Treatment and Renal Outcomes Up to 96 Weeks After Tenofovir Alafenamide Switch From Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Routine Practice.

Background And Aims: Real-world data for treatment effectiveness and renal outcomes in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who were switched to the new and safer prodrug tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are limited. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate treatment and renal outcomes of this population.

Approach And Results: We analyzed 834 patients with CHB previously treated with TDF for ≥12 months who were switched to TAF in routine practice at 13 US and Asian centers for changes in viral (HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL), biochemical (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] < 35/25 U/L for male/female), and complete (viral+biochemical) responses, as well as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; milliliters per minute per 1.

The epidemiology of NAFLD and lean NAFLD in Japan: a meta-analysis with individual and forecasting analysis, 1995-2040.

Background: NAFLD is increasing in Asia including Japan, despite its lower obesity rate than the West. However, NAFLD can occur in lean people, but data are limited. We aimed to investigate the epidemiology of NAFLD in Japan with a focus on lean NAFLD.

Effects of Cirrhosis and Diagnosis Scenario in Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a major cause of liver-related complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While MAFLD-related HCC is known to occur in the absence of cirrhosis, our understanding of MAFLD-related HCC in this setting is limited. Here, we characterize MAFLD-related HCC and the impact of cirrhosis and screening on survival.