Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured at high density express IFN-β and TRAIL and suppress the growth of H460 human lung cancer cells.

Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to inhibit tumor growth, the mechanism controlling this tumor suppression function is unclear. Here, we report that high-density (40,000 cells/cm) cultured adipose tissue-derived MSCs (40K-ASCs) expressed interferon (IFN)-β and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL); we also found that serum deprivation during cell culture induced the expression of IFN-β and TRAIL. In addition, the mRNA expression of IFN-β, but not TRAIL, was increased during the washing step required for the transplantation of normal-density (5000 cells/cm) cultured ASCs (5K-ASCs).

Five Misconceptions Related to Punctal Plugs in Dry Eye Management.

Punctal plugs are an effective treatment option for patients with aqueous-deficient dry eye refractory to topical medications. However, punctal plugs are not commonly used in clinical practice mainly because of various misconceptions, rather than clinical complications. We analyzed previous studies and present 5 misconceptions related to punctal plugs.

Two-phase delivery using a horse oil and adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patch for skin barrier restoration, moisturization, and wrinkle improvement.

Background: Dissolving microneedles (DMNs) have been used for skin restoration and wrinkle improvement. Although lipophilic compounds, for example, natural oils or ceramides, enrich the skin barrier, their delivery via DMNs is challenging because of DMN fabrication difficulties.

Objectives: In the present study, we combined a topical formulation and a DMN patch to perform two-phase delivery comprising a lipophilic formulation and hydrophilic compound-loaded DMNs to improve skin barrier status and the efficacy of drug delivery.

Effects of Topical Mucolytic Agents on the Tears and Ocular Surface: A Plausible Animal Model of Mucin-Deficient Dry Eye.

Purpose: A topical mucolytic agent, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has been used to create an animal model without the intestinal mucus layer. In this study, we investigated the effects of topical NAC on the tears and ocular surface.

Methods: NAC-treated models were established by topically administering 10% NAC four times daily for 5 days in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Comparative evaluation of refractive outcomes after implantation of two types of intraocular lenses with different diopter intervals (0.25 diopter versus 0.50 diopter).

Background: Intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different diopter (D) intervals may have different tolerance, and may provide different accuracy of refractive outcome after cataract surgery. The aim of the study is to compare the accuracy of refractive outcome after implantation of IOLs with different D intervals after cataract surgery.

Methods: A total of 80 eyes from 40 patients who underwent phacoemulsification with implantation of a 0.

Regulatory Dendritic Cells Induced by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Chronic Colitis in Mice.

Background/aims: Regulatory dendritic cells (rDCs), which can be induced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), play an important role in inducing and maintaining homeostasis of regulatory T cells and exhibit anti-inflammatory functions. In this study, we investigated whether MSCs could differentiate DCs into rDCs and compared the therapeutic effects of rDCs and MSCs on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced chronic colitis mice.

Methods: Immature DCs (imDCs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mature DCs (mDCs) were co-cultured with MSCs for 48 hours, and then the profiles of surface markers and cytokines and regulatory roles of these DCs for primary splenocytes were analyzed.

Vertical Spacing of Perforators in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction Can Affect the Outcomes.

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of vertical location and spacing of perforators within flaps on the outcomes of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction.

Methods: Patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction with unipedicle DIEP flaps were identified. They were categorized into cohorts based on the entry of perforators in the middle third (cohort 1), upper third (cohort 2), and multiple third parts (cohort 3) of the flaps.

Comparison of Anterior, Posterior, and Total Corneal Astigmatism Measured Using a Single Scheimpflug Camera in Healthy and Keratoconus Eyes.

Purpose: To compare the effect of posterior corneal astigmatism on the estimation of total corneal astigmatism using anterior corneal measurements (simulated keratometry [K]) between eyes with keratoconus and healthy eyes.

Methods: Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients with keratoconus of grade I or II and 33 eyes of 33 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled. Anterior, posterior, and total corneal cylinder powers and flat meridians measured by a single Scheimpflug camera were analyzed.

Effect of Cataract Grade according to Wide-Field Fundus Images on Measurement of Macular Thickness in Cataract Patients.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of cataract grade based on wide-field fundus imaging on macular thickness measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Methods: Two hundred cataract patients (200 eyes) with preoperative measurements by wide-field fundus imaging and macular SD-OCT were enrolled. Cataract severity was graded from 1 to 4 according to the degree of macular obscuring by cataract artifact in fundus photo images.

Resilience of networks to environmental stress: From regular to random networks.

Despite the huge interest in network resilience to stress, most of the studies have concentrated on internal stress damaging network structure (e.g., node removals).

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 enhances rod survival in the rd1 mouse retina.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), an inherited retinal degenerative disease, is characterized by a progressive loss of rod photoreceptors followed by loss of cone photoreceptors. Previously, when tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), a key extracellular matrix (ECM) regulator that binds to and inhibits activation of Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) was intravitreal injected into eyes of a transgenic rhodopsin rat model of RP, S334ter-line3, we discovered cone outer segments are partially protected. In parallel, we reported that a specific MMP9 and MMP2 inhibitor, SB-3CT, interferes with mechanisms leading to rod photoreceptor cell death in an MMP9 dependent manner.

Anti-biofilm and Anti-Virulence Efficacy of Celastrol Against .

is a multi-drug resistant opportunistic pathogen that causes nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients. This pathogen is difficult to treat owing to its intrinsic multidrug resistance and ability to form antimicrobial-tolerant biofilms. In the present study, we aimed to assess the potential use of celastrol as a novel anti-biofilm and/or anti-virulence agent against .

Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and β-Klotho Regulates Hepatic Fibrosis through the Nuclear Factor-κB and c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Pathways.

Background/aims: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 is associated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, little is known regarding the effects of inflammation and fibrosis on the β-Klotho and FGF21 pathway in the liver.

Methods: Enrolled patients had biopsy-confirmed viral or alcoholic hepatitis.

Skin Barrier Restoration and Moisturization Using Horse Oil-Loaded Dissolving Microneedle Patches.

Background: Horse oil (HO) has skin barrier restoration and skin-moisturizing effects. Although cream formulations have been used widely and safely, their limited penetration through the stratum corneum is a major obstacle to maximizing the cosmetic efficacy of HO. Therefore, we aimed to encapsulate HO in a cosmetic dissolving microneedle (DMN) for efficient transdermal delivery.

Adipose-derived stem cells ameliorate colitis by suppression of inflammasome formation and regulation of M1-macrophage population through prostaglandin E2.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic disease caused by a dysregulated immune response to intestinal microbes in an individual with a genetic predisposition. Therefore, alleviation of inflammation is very important to treat IBD. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been highlighted as new candidates for treating autoimmune disease based on their immunomodulatory properties.

Role of the renin-angiotensin system in hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important regulator of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. As hepatic fibrosis progresses, levels of the RAS components angiotensin (Ang) II, Ang-(1-7), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) are increased. The primary effector Ang II regulates vasoconstriction, sodium homoeostasis, fibrosis, cell proliferation, and inflammation in various diseases, including liver cirrhosis, through the ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis in the classical RAS.

Use of the Posterior/Anterior Corneal Curvature Radii Ratio to Improve the Accuracy of Intraocular Lens Power Calculation: Eom's Adjustment Method.

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of IOL power calculation using adjusted corneal power according to the posterior/anterior corneal curvature radii ratio.

Methods: Nine hundred twenty-eight eyes from 928 reference subjects and 158 eyes from 158 cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery were enrolled. Adjusted corneal power of cataract patients was calculated using the fictitious refractive index that was obtained from the geometric mean posterior/anterior corneal curvature radii ratio of reference subjects and adjusted anterior and predicted posterior corneal curvature radii from conventional keratometry (K) using the posterior/anterior corneal curvature radii ratio.

Mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for liver diseases.

The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in the treatment of liver fibrosis is predominantly based on their immunosuppressive properties, and their ability to secrete various trophic factors. This potential has been investigated in clinical and preclinical studies. Although the therapeutic mechanisms of MSC transplantation are still not fully characterised, accumulating evidence has revealed that various trophic factors secreted by MSCs play key therapeutic roles in regeneration by alleviating inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis as well as stimulating angiogenesis and tissue regeneration in damaged liver.

Refinements in Elevation of the Reconstructed Auricle: The "Zigzag Incision".

Objective: Auricular elevation with superficial temporal fascia and skin graft is widely used in microtia reconstruction using costal cartilage. However, in some patients, there has been occurrence of contraction of skin graft, which led to insufficient projection of the elevated auricle and diminished auriculocephalic angle with unfavorable long-term results. In this article, the authors introduce their multiple triangular flaps with zigzag incision to maintain stable projection and natural retroauricular sulcus appearance in auricular reconstruction patients.

Effects of Menthol-Containing Artificial Tears on Tear Stimulation and Ocular Surface Integrity in Normal and Dry Eye Rat Models.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of menthol-containing artificial tears on tear stimulation and ocular surface integrity in normal and dry eye rat models.

Methods: A total of 54 male Lewis rats were used. The levels of tear secretion and tear MUC5AC concentrations were compared between the menthol-containing artificial tear-treated group (menthol group) and the vehicle-treated group (vehicle group).

Efficacy of Partial- Versus Full-Sling Acellular Dermal Matrix Use in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Head-to-Head Comparison.

Background: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM), popularly used in tissue expander-based breast reconstruction, is applied either as a partial or full sling, but without any consensus regarding which method of application produces better outcomes. We aimed to compare the outcomes between two patient groups who underwent tissue expander-based breast reconstruction using these techniques.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for consecutive patients who underwent immediate two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction using ADM between January 2013 and June 2016.

Improved Model for Predicting Axillary Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer.

Purpose: Pathological complete response (pCR) of axillary lymph node (LN) is frequently achieved in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Treatment of the axilla after NAC is not well established and the value of sentinel LN biopsy following NAC remains unclear. This study investigated the predictive value of axillary response following NAC and evaluated the predictive value of a model based on axillary response.

A one-day surgical-skill training course for medical students' improved surgical skills and increased interest in surgery as a career.

Background: Despite many high-quality programs in basic surgical-skill education, the surgical skill of junior doctors varies widely. This, together with the waning interest in surgery as a career among medical students, is a serious issue confronted by hospitals and healthcare systems worldwide. We, therefore, developed and implemented an intensive one-day surgical-skill training course for two purposes; it would improve surgical skills and increase interest in surgery among medical students.

Influence of corneal power on intraocular lens power of the second eye in the SRK/T formula in bilateral cataract surgery.

Background: To evaluate the effect of different adjustments of the refractive outcome of the first eye according to corneal power (K) in order to improve the intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation of the second eye in the SRK/T formula.

Methods: One hundred thirty-four patients who underwent uncomplicated bilateral, sequential phacoemulsification with AcrySof IQ implantation were enrolled. The optimal partial adjustment of the refractive outcome of the first eye according to K was retrospectively analyzed using a regression formula.