Intraperitoneal administration of adipose tissue-derived stem cells for the rescue of retinal degeneration in a mouse model via indigenous CNTF up-regulation by IL-6.

As the world's population begins to age, retinal degeneration is an increasing problem, and various treatment modalities are being developed. However, there have been no therapies for degenerative retinal conditions that are not characterized by neovascularization. We investigated whether transplantation of mouse adipose tissue-derived stem cells (mADSC) into the intraperitoneal space has a rescue effect on NaIO -induced retinal degeneration in mice.

NecroX-5 prevents breast cancer metastasis by AKT inhibition via reducing intracellular calcium levels.

A major goal of breast cancer research is to prevent the molecular events that lead to tumour metastasis. It is well-established that both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in cell migration and metastasis. Accordingly, this study examined the molecular mechanisms of the anti-metastatic effects of NecroX-5, a mitochondrial ROS scavenger.

Comparison of the most common isolates of postoperative endophthalmitis in South Korea; Enterococcus species vs coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Background: To compare the related factors or manifestations of the two most common isolates of post-operative endophthalmitis, which were Enterococcus spp. and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) in South Korea.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed for cases of post-operative endophthalmitis caused by Enterococcus spp.

A Survey of the Status of Awareness of Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients in Busan-Gyeongnam, Korea.

Objective: To support the establishment of lymphedema education plans and the actual practice of education by investigating the current lymphedema awareness status of Korean breast cancer patients.

Methods: cross-sectional population survey was conducted in 116 breast cancer patients in the Busan-Gyeongnam area. The survey included questions regarding demographic characteristics, breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) risk factors, and characteristics and treatments of the disease.

Clinical features of infectious endophthalmitis in South Korea: a five-year multicenter study.

Background: To investigate clinical features of infectious endophthalmitis over five years in a South Korean population.

Methods: Medical records of consecutive patients diagnosed with infectious endophthalmitis at eight institutions located in Gyeongsangnam-do and Pusan city between January 1, 2004 and July 31, 2010 were reviewed.

Results: A total of 197 patients were diagnosed and treated.

Attenuation of IFN-γ-induced B7-H1 expression by 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 via downregulation of the Jak/STAT/IRF-1 signaling pathway.

Aim: B7-H1, which belongs to the B7 family of costimulatory molecules, is implicated in the ability of tumors to evade the host immune response. The development of evasion mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment may be responsible for poor therapeutic responses. In this manuscript, we report that the 15-deoxy-δ(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activator leads to the downregulation of the cancer-associated expression of B7-H1 in response to interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and the associated signaling cascades.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester promotes anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB signaling in activated HMC-1 human mast cells.

Context: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of honeybee propolis, is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial medicinal properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-allergic effects in mast cells are unknown.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine whether CAPE modulates the immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated local allergic reaction in animals, as well as to elucidate the effects of CAPE on mast cells in vitro.

The effect of cilostazol on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and type I procollagen in ultraviolet-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts.

Aim: Cilostazol is a selective inhibitor of type III phosphodiesterase that inhibits platelet aggregation. Cilostazol is a useful vasodilator, antithrombotic, and cardiotonic agent. Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation increases the production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) during skin photoaging.

The relationship between the fish consumption and blood total/methyl-mercury concentration of costal area in Korea.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fish consumption and blood THg/MeHg concentration in Korean adults by measuring MeHg concentration in blood directly. The study subjects consisted of 400 adults aged 20 or older from 30 subareas in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do province in Korea from August to October, 2010. We tried to recruit the same number of male and female participants in different age groups (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s) and allocated 13-16 subjects by district to represent Hg concentration in the research areas.

[The prevalence of high myopia in 19 year-old men in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do].

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlated factors of high myopia in 19 year-old men in Southeast Korea.

Methods: This retrospective study was based on the medical checkup data of conscription during 2005. The study subjects were 19 years old men in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do.

Assessment of community capacity building ability of health promotion workers in public health centers.

Objectives: This study was performed to assess the community capacity building ability of health promotion workers of public health centers and to identify influential factors to the ability.

Methods: The subjects were 43 public officers from 16 public health centers in Busan Metropolitan City. Questionnaire was developed based on 'Community Capacity Building Tool' of Public Health Agency of Canada which consists of 9 feathers.

Fucoidan inhibits UVB-induced MMP-1 promoter expression and down regulation of type I procollagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts.

UVB reduces type I procollagen levels and increases matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) levels in human skin and plays a major role in the process of photoaging. We previously reported that fucoidan inhibits UVB-induced MMP-1 expression at the protein and mRNA levels in human skin fibroblasts (HS68). Yet, the effects of fucoidan on UVB-induced MMP-1 promoter activity and type I procollagen have not been investigated.

Association of the ins/del polymorphisms of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) with BMI in a Korean population.

To elucidate the potential impact of the variants of the UCP2 gene on obesity phenotypes, we have genotyped four polymorphisms in UCP2 among 988 Korean subjects using TaqMan methods, and three common haplotypes with frequency greater than 0.1 were constructed in the Korean population. No significant associations were detected with the risk of metabolic syndrome by logistic regression analyses.