Inhibiting Ferroptosis Prevents the Progression of Steatotic Liver Disease in Obese Mice.

Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, has been implicated in the progression of metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in obesity. This study investigated the role of ferroptosis in the development of hepatic steatosis and MASH in obese mice and assessed the therapeutic potential of ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor. C57BL/6J wild-type (n = 8) and ob/ob mice (n = 16) were maintained on a standard chow diet.

Amifostine and Melatonin Prevent Acute Salivary Gland Dysfunction 10 Days After Radiation Through Anti-Ferroptosis and Anti-Ferritinophagy Effects.

Irradiation of the head and neck inevitably leads to decreased salivary gland function. It is postulated that radiation generates excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces salivary gland function by ferroptosis, a new cell death mechanism; however, research in this area is currently lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of amifostine and melatonin on acute salivary gland dysfunction and ferroptosis.

TGFβ2-Driven Ferritin Degradation and Subsequent Ferroptosis Underlie Salivary Gland Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Conditions.

Despite the high incidence of dry mouth in postmenopausal women, its underlying mechanisms and therapeutic interventions remain underexplored. Using ovariectomized (OVX) mouse models, here this study identifies ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death, as a central mechanism driving postmenopausal salivary gland (SG) dysfunction. In the OVX-SGs, TGFβ signaling pathway is enhanced with the aberrant TGFβ2 expression in SG mesenchymal cells.

Development of a multi-modal learning-based lymph node metastasis prediction model for lung cancer.

Purpose: This study proposed a three-dimensional (3D) multi-modal learning-based model for the automated prediction and classification of lymph node metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using computed tomography (CT) images and clinical information.

Methods: We utilized clinical information and CT image data from 4239 patients with NSCLC across multiple institutions. Four deep learning algorithm-based multi-modal models were constructed and evaluated for lymph node classification.

Transdermal scopolamine for the treatment of recurrent parotid sialocele: a case report.

Recurrent parotid sialocele is rare and challenging to treat. Treatment options are limited for cases of parotid sialocele that recur despite ductal ligation. This case study presents a patient who underwent wide excision of the right buccal mucosa due to squamous cell carcinoma.

Proliferation-Related Features of the Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Palatine Tonsils, Adipose Tissues, and Bone Marrow.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in regenerative medicine and cell-based transplantations. However, an in-depth comparison of the different MSC origins is lacking. This study aimed to compare the expression of adipose-derived (AMSCs), bone marrow-derived (BMSCs), and tonsil-derived (TMSCs) and evaluate whether TMSCs are good alternatives for AMSCs or BMSCs.

Hybrid spheroids containing mesenchymal stem cells promote therapeutic angiogenesis by increasing engraftment of co-transplanted endothelial colony-forming cells in vivo.

Background: Peripheral artery disease is an ischemic vascular disease caused by the blockage of blood vessels supplying blood to the lower extremities. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) have been reported to alleviate peripheral artery disease by forming new blood vessels. However, the clinical application of MSCs and ECFCs has been impeded by their poor in vivo engraftment after cell transplantation.

Predictors of Early and Late Response to Esomezol and Lifestyle Modification in Adults With Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease: A Prospective, Multicenter, Open-Label Cohort Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess predictors of the response to varying durations of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and lifestyle modification treatment for laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD).

Methods: Between October 2014 and June 2016, a prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-cohort, intention-to-treat, observational study was conducted at eight referral hospitals across the Republic of Korea to examine predictors of early and late response to treatment in adult patients (age ≥19 years) with LPRD. Participants underwent standard treatment (PPI [Esomezol] and lifestyle modification) for 3 months.

Effect of deferoxamine and ferrostatin-1 on salivary gland dysfunction in ovariectomized rats.

The mechanism underlying xerostomia after menopause has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of xerostomia and the effect of the ferroptosis inhibitors deferoxamine (DFO) and ferrostatin-1 (FER) on salivary gland dysfunction in a postmenopausal animal model. Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: a SHAM group ( = 6, sham-operated rats), an OVX group ( = 6, ovariectomized rats), an FER group ( = 6, ovariectomized rats injected intraperitoneally with FER), and a DFO group ( = 6, ovariectomized rats injected intraperitoneally with DFO).

Esophageal wound healing by aligned smooth muscle cell-laden nanofibrous patch.

The esophagus exhibits peristalsis via contraction of circularly and longitudinally aligned smooth muscles, and esophageal replacement is required if there is a critical-sized wound. In this study, we proposed to reconstruct esophageal tissues using cell electrospinning (CE), an advanced technique for encapsulating living cells into fibers that allows control of the direction of fiber deposition. After treatment with transforming growth factor-β, mesenchymal stem cell-derived smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were utilized for cell electrospinning or three-dimensional bioprinting to compare the effects of aligned micropatterns on cell morphology.

Effect of Echinochrome A on Submandibular Gland Dysfunction in Ovariectomized Rats.

Post-menopausal dry mouth or xerostomia is caused by reduced salivary secretion. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of echinochrome A (Ech A) in alleviating submandibular gland dysfunctions in ovariectomized rats that mimic menopause. Female rats that were eight-weeks-old were randomly divided into SHAM-6, -12; OVX-6, -12; and ECH-6, -12 groups (consisting of 6- and 12-weeks post-sham-operated, ovariectomized, and Ech A-treated ovariectomized rats, respectively).

Survey of Korean head and neck surgeons and endocrinologists for the surgical extent of 1.5 and 2.5 cm papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: The surgical extent of 1-4 cm papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is controversial. We aimed to determine the current trend in the extent of thyroidectomy and prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) for 1.5 and 2.

Feasibility of facial nerve monitoring using adhesive surface electrodes during parotidectomy: a comparative study with needle electrodes.

Purpose: Electrophysiological monitoring of the facial nerve during parotidectomy has been reported as an adjunctive method to prevent facial nerve injury. Classically, a needle electrode is used to obtain electromyographic (EMG) signals from facial muscles during facial nerve monitoring (FNM) of parotid surgery, likewise adhesive surface electrodes. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of performing FNM with surface electrodes during parotid surgery and to compare EMG values with needle electrodes.

Diagnosis of Early Glottic Cancer Using Laryngeal Image and Voice Based on Ensemble Learning of Convolutional Neural Network Classifiers.

Objectives: The purpose of study is to improve the classification accuracy by comparing the results obtained by applying decision tree ensemble learning, which is one of the methods to increase the classification accuracy for a relatively small dataset, with the results obtained by the convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm for the diagnosis of glottal cancer.

Methods: Pusan National University Hospital (PNUH) dataset were used to establish classifiers and Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital (PNUYH) dataset were used to verify the classifier's performance in the generated model. For the diagnosis of glottic cancer, deep learning-based CNN models were established and classified using laryngeal image and voice data.

Tensin Regulates Fundamental Biological Processes by Interacting with Integrins of Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) have a superior proliferation rate and differentiation potential compared to adipose-tissue-derived MSCs (AMSCs) or bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs). TMSCs exhibit a significantly higher expression of the tensin3 gene () than AMSCs or BMSCs. TNS is involved in cell adhesion and migration by binding to integrin beta-1 (ITG β1) in focal adhesion.

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Immunolocalization and COVID-19-Related Thyroid Disorder.

Thyroid dysfunction has been reported to be an extrapulmonary symptom of COVID-19. It is important to identify the tissue subset that expresses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which are essential for host infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in order to understand the viral pathogenesis of COVID-19-related thyroid dysfunction. We investigated the expression and distribution of ACE2- and TMPRSS2-expressing cells in the thyroid gland.

Multi-omics analysis revealed TEK and AXIN2 are potential biomarkers in multifocal papillary thyroid cancer.

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most common endocrine cancer, accounts for 80-85% of all malignant thyroid tumors. This study focused on identifying targets that affect the multifocality of PTC. In a previous study, we determined 158 mRNAs related to multifocality in BRAF-mutated PTC using The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Effect of oligonol, a lychee-derived polyphenol, on skeletal muscle in ovariectomized rats by regulating body composition, protein turnover, and mitochondrial quality signaling.

Oligonol is a low-molecular-weight polyphenol product derived from lychee ( Sonn.) fruits. This study was focused on the effects of oligonol on the skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats.

Tonsil mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles prevent submandibular gland dysfunction in ovariectomized rats.

Dry mouth that occurs after menopause significantly reduces the quality of life of the elderly. The extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells are being studied for application in various pathological conditions in the field of tissue regenerative medicine. This study is to investigate the therapeutic effect on salivary gland dysfunction occurring after ovariectomy using tonsil mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles.

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 immunolocalization and oral manifestations of COVID-19.

Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry into the host cells depends on the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). We investigated the distribution of ACE2- and TMPRSS2-expressing cells in various oral tissues to identify the underlying mechanism of oral manifestations in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Subjects: We analyzed the expression patterns of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the oral mucosa (tongue, palate, and buccal mucosa), trigeminal ganglion, vessels, and salivary glands of 9 Sprague-Dawley rats using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

Perfusion-Decellularized Larynx as a Natural 3D Scaffold in a Rabbit Model.

Introduction: Decellularized larynges could be used as scaffolds to regenerate the larynx. The purpose of this study was to establish a perfusion decellularization protocol to produce a 3-dimensional whole laryngeal extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold in a rabbit model.

Methods: The larynges of 20 rabbits assigned to the study group were harvested and decellularized using a perfusion decellularization protocol, while the larynges of 10 rabbits in the control group were harvested and untreated.

Genetic Characteristics and Phenotype of Korean Patients with Stickler Syndrome: A Korean Multicenter Analysis Report No. 1.

Stickler syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder of collagen. There are relatively few reports of East Asian patients, and no large-scale studies have been conducted in Korean patients yet. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the genetic characteristics and clinical features of Korean Stickler syndrome patients.