Predicting the depressive status using empirical dietary inflammatory index in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis

BackgroundThis study investigated whether the empirical dietary inflammatory index (eDII) score is associated with the inflammatory burden as well as the depressive status in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis (AAV).MethodsEighty‐four patients with AAV participated in this study. Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) and short‐form 36‐item Health Survey mental component summary (SF‐36 MCS) were considered as indices assessing the inflammatory burden and depressive status, respectively. The eDII includes 16 food components and consists of three groups: −9 to −2, the low eDII group; −1 to +1, the moderate eDII group; and +2 to +10, the high eDII group. Furthermore, the lower eDII group includes both the low and moderate eDII groups.ResultsThe median age was 64.5 years (36 men). The eDII scores inversely correlated with SF‐36 MCS (r = −0.298, p = 0.006) but not with BVAS. SF‐36 MCS significantly differ between the lower and higher eDII groups (69.7 vs. 56.7, p = 0.016), but not among the low, moderate and high eDII groups. Additionally, when patients with AAV were divided into two groups according to the upper limit of the lowest tertile of SF‐36 MCS of 55.31, patients in the higher eDII group exhibited a significantly higher risk for the lowest tertile of SF‐36 MCS than those in the lower eDII group (RR 3.000).ConclusionWe demonstrated for the first time that the eDII could predict the depressive status by estimating SF‐36 MCS without utilising K‐CESD‐R ≥ 16 in patients with AAV.     

Immunogenicity and Reactogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S in Korean Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

BackgroundAs the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, there are concerns regarding waning immunity and the emergence of viral variants. The immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S against wild-type (WT) and variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) needs to be evaluated.MethodThis prospective cohort study was conducted between June 2021 and January 2022 at two university hospitals in South Korea. Healthy adults who were scheduled to be vaccinated with Ad26.COV2.S were enrolled in this study. The main outcomes included anti-spike (S) IgG antibody and neutralizing antibody responses, S-specific T-cell responses (interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay), solicited adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs.ResultsFifty participants aged ≥ 19 years were included in the study. Geometric mean titers (GMTs) of anti-S IgG were 0.4 U/mL at baseline, 5.2 ± 3.0 U/mL at 3–4 weeks, 55.7 ± 2.4 U/mL at 5–8 weeks, and 81.3 ± 2.5 U/mL at 10–12 weeks after vaccination. GMTs of 50% neutralizing dilution (ND50) against WT SARS-CoV-2 were 164.6 ± 4.6 at 3-4 weeks, 313.9 ± 3.6 at 5–8 weeks, and 124.4 ± 2.6 at 10–12 weeks after vaccination. As for the S-specific T-cell responses, the median number of spot-forming units/10⁶ peripheral blood mononuclear cell was 25.0 (5.0–29.2) at baseline, 60.0 (23.3–178.3) at 5-8 weeks, and 35.0 (13.3–71.7) at 10–12 weeks after vaccination. Compared to WT SARS-CoV-2, ND50 against Delta and Omicron variants was attenuated by 3.6-fold and 8.2-fold, respectively. The most frequent AE was injection site pain (82%), followed by myalgia (80%), fatigue (70%), and fever (50%). Most AEs were grade 1–2, and resolved within two days.ConclusionSingle-dose Ad26.COV2.S was safe and immunogenic. NAb titer and S-specific T-cell immunity peak at 5–8 weeks and rather decrease at 10–12 weeks after vaccination. Cross-reactive neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant was negligible.     

Objective Interpretation of the Rapid Urease Test for Helicobacter pylori Infection Using Colorimetry

BackgroundThe rapid urease test (RUT) is a major diagnostic tool for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection. This study aimed to establish an objective method for measuring the color changes in the RUT kit to improve the test’s diagnostic accuracy.MethodsA UV-visible spectrophotometer was selected as the colorimeter; experiments were conducted in three stages to objectively identify the color changes in the RUT kit.ResultsFirst, the urea broth solution showed an identifiable color change from yellow to red as the pH increased by 0.2. The largest transmittance difference detected using the UV-visible spectrophotometer was observed at a 590-nm wavelength. Second, the commercialized RUT kit also showed a gradual color change according to the pH change detected using the UV-visible spectrophotometer. Third, 13 cases of negative RUT results with a biopsy specimen and 16 of positive RUT results were collected. The transmittance detected using the UV-visible spectrophotometer showed a clear division between the positive and negative RUT groups; the largest difference was observed at a 559-nm wavelength. The lowest transmittance in the negative RUT group was 64, while the highest in the positive RUT group was 56, at the 559-nm wavelength. The UV-visible spectrophotometry reading showed a consistency of 92.7% compared with that of manual reading.ConclusionA transmittance of 60 at a 559-nm wavelength detected using UV-visible spectrophotometer can be used as a cutoff value for interpreting RUT results; this will help develop an automatic RUT kit reader with a high accuracy.     

Rice-based breakfast improves fasting glucose and HOMA-IR in Korean adolescents who skip breakfast,but breakfast skipping increases aromatic amino acids associated with diabetes prediction in Korean adolescents who skip breakfast: a randomized,parallel-group,controlled trial

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESAdolescents who skip breakfast have an increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Thus, we aimed to evaluate whether the intake of rice-based breakfast had positive effects on blood glucose indices and to determine the possibility of diabetes prevalence in Korean youths who habitually skip breakfast.SUBJECTS/METHODSIn this randomized parallel-group controlled trial, 81 subjects who were suitable for compliance among 105 middle-and high-school students aged 12-18 years who usually skipped breakfast were included in this study (rice-meal group [RMG], n = 26; wheat-meal group [WMG], n = 29; general-meal group [GMG], n = 26). The RMG and WMG received a rice-based breakfast and a wheat-based breakfast for 12 weeks, respectively. The anthropometric indices, blood glucose indices, and metabolites were measured at baseline and the endpoint, respectively.RESULTSThe mean body weights in the RMG, WMG, and GMG groups at the endpoint were 62.44 kg, 61.80 kg, and 60.28 kg, respectively, and the mean body weights of the WMG and GMG groups at the endpoint were significantly higher than that at baseline (P < 0.05). The levels of fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were significantly decreased in the RMG group at the endpoint compared to baseline (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). The levels of tryptophan and tyrosine in the WMG group at the endpoint were significantly higher than that those at baseline (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively).CONCLUSIONSRice-based breakfast has positive effects on fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR in Korean adolescents who skip breakfast. Additionally, it was found that a skipping breakfast could increase the prevalence of diabetes in adolescents who skip breakfast. Therefore, in addition to reducing breakfast skipping, it is vital to develop a rice-based menu that fits teenage preferences to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes.Trial RegistrationClinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0004089     

Distinct histopathological phenotypes of severe alcoholic hepatitis suggest different mechanisms driving liver injury and failure

Intrahepatic neutrophil infiltration has been implicated in severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) pathogenesis; however, the mechanism underlying neutrophil-induced injury in SAH remains obscure. This translational study aims to describe the patterns of intrahepatic neutrophil infiltration and its involvement in SAH pathogenesis. Immunohistochemistry analyses of explanted livers identified two SAH phenotypes despite a similar clinical presentation, one with high intrahepatic neutrophils (Neu^hi), but low levels of CD8⁺ T cells, and vice versa. RNA-Seq analyses demonstrated that neutrophil cytosolic factor 1 (NCF1), a key factor in controlling neutrophilic ROS production, was upregulated and correlated with hepatic inflammation and disease progression. To study specifically the mechanisms related to Neu^hi in AH patients and liver injury, we used the mouse model of chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding and found that myeloid-specific deletion of the Ncf1 gene abolished ethanol-induced hepatic inflammation and steatosis. RNA-Seq analysis and the data from experimental models revealed that neutrophilic NCF1-dependent ROS promoted alcoholic hepatitis (AH) by inhibiting AMP-activated protein kinase (a key regulator of lipid metabolism) and microRNA-223 (a key antiinflammatory and antifibrotic microRNA). In conclusion, two distinct histopathological phenotypes based on liver immune phenotyping are observed in SAH patients, suggesting a separate mechanism driving liver injury and/or failure in these patients.     

Giant cell hepatitis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a Korean infant

Giant cell hepatitis (GCH) with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA) is a very rare disease characterized by early onset and severe clinical manifestations, including immune hemolytic anemia and hepatitis with cholestasis. The prognosis is poor despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. We report here the first case of GCH with AHA in East Asia. A 2‐month‐old boy was admitted with jaundice. Blood test indicated abnormal liver function and low hemoglobin. Direct Coombs test and several autoantibodies associated with liver disease were positive, and liver biopsy was consistent with GCH. He was treated with prednisolone and ursodeoxycholic acid, and at the time of writing was in clinical and biochemical remission after prednisolone was stopped.     

Influencing factors of pressure pain hypersensitivity of the upper trapezius in food service workers with nonspecific neck/shoulder myofascial pain: A cross-sectional study

It is unclear which factors contribute to the developing pressure pain hypersensitivity of the upper trapezius, a type of neurophysiological hyperexcitability. The present study investigated the relationship between physical and psychological factors and pressure pain hypersensitivity of the upper trapezius for each sex. In total, 154 individuals with neck/shoulder myofascial pain participated, among 372 food service workers. Participants completed a questionnaire (Beck Depression Inventory, and Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale) and were photographed to measure posture. Pressure pain sensitivity, 2 range of motions (cervical lateral bending and rotation), and 4 muscle strengths (serratus anterior, lower trapezius [LT], biceps, and glenohumeral external rotator) were measured by a pressure algometer, iPhone application, and handheld dynamometer, respectively. For each sex, forward multivariate logistic regression was used to test our a priori hypothesis among selected variables that a combination of psychosocial and physical factors contributed to the risk for pressure pain hypersensitivity. In multivariate analyses, LT strength (odds ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval = 0.91–0.97, P = .001) was the only significant influencing factor for pressure pain hypersensitivity in men. Dominant painful ipsilateral cervical rotation range of motion (odds ratio = 0.96, 95% confidence interval = 0.92–0.99, P = .037) was the only influencing factor for pressure pain hypersensitivity in women. LT strength and dominant painful ipsilateral cervical rotation range of motion could serve as guidelines for preventing and managing pressure pain hypersensitivity of the upper trapezius in food service workers with nonspecific neck/shoulder myofascial pain.     

Combined differential gene expression profile and pathway enrichment analyses to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of uterine leiomyoma after gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment

Composite regulatory signature database (CRSD), a self-developed comprehensive Web server for composite regulatory signature discovery, used to compare the published microarray data with our data on patients with uterine leiomyoma treated with or without GnRH analogue (GnRH-a), revealed that the focal adhesion, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), CXC chemokine receptor 4/stromal-derived factor-1 (CXCR4/SDF-1), T-cell receptor, integrin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), GnRH, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathways are highly expressed in uterine leiomyoma and significantly down-regulated after GnRH-a treatment. According to the results these signaling pathways could be involved in inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling processes of leiomyoma development and possibly in the regression of leiomyoma after GnRH-a treatment, which might improve our understanding of the mechanisms of leiomyoma formation and help us to find novel drug targets or specific markers for diagnosis and prognosis in uterine leiomyoma.