Clinical significance of the leptin and leptin receptor expressions in prostate tissues

Aim： To evaluate the expression of leptin and leptin receptor in benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） and prostate cancer （PCa）, and to investigate whether they are associated with the development and progression of PCa. Methods： hnmunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the expression of leptin and leptin receptor in BPH and PCa. PCa was divided into three groups： localized PCa, locally advanced PCa and metastatic PCa. The positive staining was identified and the percentage of the positive staining was graded. We also assessed the relationship between both the Gleason score and body mass index （BMI） and PCa. Results： The percentage of the leptin expression in PCa was significantly higher than that in BPH （P 〈 0.01）. For the PCa group, the expressed levels of leptin showed a considerable correlation with localized PCa and metastatic PCa （P 〈 0.05）. Leptin receptor, however, did not reveal a definite difference between BPH and PCa. The expression of leptin indicated a significant difference between well-differentiated PCa （Gleason score ≤6） and poorly differentiated PCa （Gleason score 8-10） （P 〈 0.05）. The relation between the leptin expression level in PCa and the BMI was not remarkable （P = 0.447）. Conclusion： Our results suggest that leptin might have a promoting effect on the carcinogenesis and progression of PCa.

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia associated with pregnancy:A case report

BACKGROUND Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia(COP),formerly known as bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia,is an extremely rare disease in pregnancy.In this case,we report on COP diagnosed in recurrent pneumonia that does not respond to antibiotics in pregnant woman.CASE SUMMARY A 35-year-old woman with no prior lung disease presented with concerns of chest pain with cough,sputum,dyspnea,and mild fever at 11 wk’gestation.She was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and treated with antibiotics;her symptoms improved temporarily.Four weeks after discharge,she was readmitted with aggravated symptoms.Chest computed tomography demonstrated multifocal patchy airspace consolidation and ground-glass opacities at the basal segments of the right lower lobe,at the lateral basal segment of the lower lobe,and at the lingular segment of the left upper lobe.Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed an increased lymphocyte count and a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio.Prednisolone(0.5 mg/kg/d)was administered for 10 d after the second admission.Dyspnea improved after 3 d of steroid treatment and other symptoms improved on the 5th day of steroid administration.Post-delivery transbronchial lung biopsy further revealed the presence of granulation tissue with fibroblasts in smallbronchiole lumens.CONCLUSION This case suggests that it is important to differentiate COP from atypical pneumonia in the deteriorated condition despite antibiotic treatment.

Predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a major contributor to liver diseases globally,yet there are limited studies investigating the impact of diet and lifestyle factors on its development.This study aimed to examine the association between the prevalence of NAFLD and predicted pro-inflammatory high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)score.Methods:We included 1,076 Korean adults who underwent a medical examination at the Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Healthcare Center in Korea between May and December 2011 and updated in 2021.The predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score was derived from pro-inflammatory demographic,lifestyle,dietary,and anthropometric factors,and NAFLD was diagnosed using liver ultrasound.Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios(ORs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)of NAFLD odds according to predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score were estimated using logistic regression at a two-sided P<0.05.Results:Among the 1,076 participants,320 had NAFLD.The multivariable-adjusted ORs and 95%CIs for NAFLD by tertiles of predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score were 1.00,3.30(2.06,5.30),18.25(10.47,31.81;P<0.0001)in men and women combined,1.00,1.77(1.10,2.84),and 3.26(2.02,5.28;P<0.0001)among men only,and 1.00,3.03(1.39,6.62),and 16.71(7.05,39.63;P<0.0001)among women only.Conclusions:Predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score was associated with higher odds of NAFLD.Adopting dietary and lifestyle changes related to lower inflammation might be a valuable strategy for preventing NAFLD.