The Beneficial Effect of Brazilian Propolis for Liver Damage through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

There is evidence that propolis exhibits anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. We assessed the potential beneficial effects of Brazilian propolis on liver injury in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our findings demonstrate that Brazilian propolis suppresses inflammation and fibrosis in the liver of mice with NAFLD by inhibiting the expression of genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Additionally, Brazilian propolis also suppressed the expression of ER stress-related genes in HepG2 cells treated with an excess of free fatty acids, leading to cell apoptosis. A deeper analysis revealed that kaempferol, one of the components present in Brazilian propolis, induces cell proliferation through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and protects against oxidative stress. In conclusion, Brazilian propolis exhibits hepatoprotective properties against oxidative stress by inhibiting ER stress in NAFLD-induced model mice.

Serious Adverse Events with Cyanoacrylate Closure of Varicose Veins: An Initial Report from a Large-Scale National Survey in Japan.

Objective: Cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of varicose veins. A recent paper reported serious adverse events (AEs) associated with this use. This triggered an urgent survey to determine the incidence of AEs in Japan. Methods: The CAC-AE survey was sent to all 1,030 institutions authorized for CAC treatments. Cases performed between January 2020 and October 2023 were surveyed. Data on serious AEs and mortality were collected. Results: There were 623 surveys returned. There were 16 cases of proximal deep vein thrombosis, 3 cases of pulmonary embolism (PE), and 0 cases of stroke. Deep vein occlusion due to cyanoacrylate extension was observed in 1 case. Vein resection due to infection was observed in 4 cases. There were 299 cases of localized phlebitis and/or allergic reactions requiring steroid administration. Systemic allergic reactions requiring steroid administration were observed in 66 cases. There was no anaphylaxis associated with cyanoacrylate. There was one postoperative death from PE. Conclusion: This report's intent is to provide real world data on serious AEs following CAC from Japan given current concern over these events. An extensive report investigation of individual complications with analysis including causality will be provided following a full investigation separately.

Mid-term results of cyanoacrylate closure for the treatment of incompetent great and small saphenous veins: Findings from a Japanese prospective consecutive multi-center registry: Mid-term results of cyanoacrylate closure.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) for endovascular treatment of varicose veins with cyanoacrylate adhesive (VenaSeal® closure system) in Japan. METHODS: A multicenter prospective consecutive registry study was conducted at 12 centers in Japan on 125 patients with primary varicose veins who underwent CAC. The patients were evaluated on target vein occlusion, postoperative complications, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, revised Venous Clinical Severity Score (rVCSS), Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ), and EuroQol 5 dimensions 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) for 1-year after the surgery. RESULTS: The closure rate was 92.6% at 1 year postoperatively, and 95.0% and 90.2% for GSV and SSV respectively with little difference (p = .491). The mean VAS in the immediate postoperative period was 18.9 ± 23.4. Postoperative complications were observed in 20 patients (16%). Hypersensitivity-type phlebitis occurred in 7 patients (5.6%). Infection of the treated vein resulted in resection of GSV. The rVCSS and AVVQ improved significantly after 90 days and 1 year postoperatively (p < .001), while the EQ-5D-5L have not changed. CONCLUSION: Cyanoacrylate Closure was considered generally a safe and minimally invasive treatment with good mid-term outcomes including SSV. However further study is required for some CAC specific complications.

Prophylactic Anticoagulation and Thrombosis in Hospitalized Patients with Clinically Stable COVID-19 at Admission: From the Practice-Based Observational Study.

Objectives: The potential benefit of routine prophylactic anticoagulation for all hospitalized patients with clinically stable coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still controversial. Method: The CLOT-COVID Study was a multicenter observational study enrolling 2894 consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The current study population consisted of 1738 hospitalized patients with mild COVID-19 at admission not requiring oxygen administration, who were divided into 2 groups: patients with prophylactic anticoagulation (n = 326) and those without (n = 1412). Results: Patients with prophylactic anticoagulation had more severe status of the worst severity of COVID-19 during hospitalization compared with those without (mild: 38% versus 82%, moderate: 55% versus 17%, and severe or death at discharge: 6.4% versus 0.7%, P <0.001). During hospitalization, 8 patients (0.5%) developed thrombosis, and the incidences of thrombosis were numerically higher in patients with more severe status of worst severity of COVID-19 during hospitalization (mild: 0.2%, moderate: 1.2%, and severe or death at discharge: 3.2%). Conclusions: Among hospitalized patients with clinically stable COVID-19 at admission, patients who did not worsen in COVID-19 severity after admission rarely developed thrombosis, although patients with worsening of COVID-19 severity after admission more often received prophylactic anticoagulation and might have a higher risk of thrombosis.