Phloretin promotes osteoclast apoptosis in murine macrophages and inhibits estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis in mice.

Bone-remodeling imbalance induced by increased osteoclast formation and bone resorption is known to cause skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis. The reduction of estrogen levels at menopause is one of the strongest risk factors developing postmenopausal osteoporosis. This study investigated osteoprotective effects of the dihydrochalcone phloretin found in apple tree leaves on bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) C57BL/6 female mice as a model for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Studies on distribution of α1-antitrypsin, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and mast cell enzymes in diseased middle ear mucosa.

Conclusion: Antimicrobial agents (AMAs) and mast cells in chronic otitis media (COM) may play a protective role in the pathogenesis of COM. Among them, our results indicated that lysozyme may be the most important parameter of the mucosa infectivity in COM.

Objectives: AMAs include alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1-AT), lysozyme, and lactoferrin and exhibit innate immune activity that is known to play a critical role in mucosal defenses.

Lipofibromatous hamartoma of a cranial nerve.

Lipofibromatous hamartomas (LFHs) are rare benign tumors that typically present as slow-growing firm masses in the subcutaneous soft tissue of the extremities. These often develop in young adults on the volar aspects of the hands, wrists, and forearms along major nerves and their branches. Only a single case of LFH growth along a cranial nerve has been reported.

Engineered protein nanoparticles for in vivo tumor detection.

Two different protein nanoparticles that are totally different in shape and surface structure, i.e. Escherichia coli DNA-binding protein (eDPS) (spherical, 10 nm) and Thermoplasma acidophilum proteasome (tPTS) (cylindrical, 12 × 15 nm) were engineered for in vivo optical tumor detection: arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide (CDCRGDCFC) was genetically inserted to the surface of each protein nanoparticle, and also near-infrared fluorescence dye was chemically linked to the surface lysine residues.

Incidentally detected middle ear osteoma: two cases reports and literature review.

Osteomas of the middle ear are rare benign neoplasms. To date, only a few cases have been reported. Osteomas of the middle ear are small, single, usually unilateral, peduncular growths, off-white in color, with a smooth or multilobular surface, asymptomatic or causing functional disorders.

Robot-assisted neck dissection via a transaxillary and retroauricular approach versus a conventional transcervical approach in papillary thyroid cancer with cervical lymph node metastases.

Background: Recently, robot-assisted neck dissection (ND) using a transaxillary approach in thyroid cancer patients with lateral neck metastases (LNM) was demonstrated to be feasible. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of a modified transaxillary and retroauricular (TARA) versus a conventional transcervical approach in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with LNM.

Patients And Methods: In total, 47 patients with PTC underwent total thyroidectomy with central compartment ND and modified radical ND except Level I.

Efficacy of ginseng adventitious root extract on hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ginseng has various bioactive effects on human health including its potential activity of improving the glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity.

Materials And Methods: Tissue culture raised mountain ginseng adventitious root (TCMGARs) extract enriched with ginsenosides was used as experimental material. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic 'Sprague Dawley' male rats were used as experimental systems and were fed with Tissue culture raised mountain ginseng adventitious root extract.

Potential of magnetic nanofiber scaffolds with mechanical and biological properties applicable for bone regeneration.

Magnetic nanofibrous scaffolds of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) incorporating magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) were produced, and their effects on physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties were extensively addressed to find efficacy for bone regeneration purpose. MNPs 12 nm in diameter were citrated and evenly distributed in PCL solutions up to 20% and then were electrospun into nonwoven nanofibrous webs. Incorporation of MNPs greatly improved the hydrophilicity of the nanofibers.

Thanatophoric dysplasia in a dichorionic twin confirmed by genetic analysis at the early second trimester: A case report and literature review.

Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is caused by mutation of the gene that encodes fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGFR3). Owing to the poor prognosis for TD, prenatal diagnosis is critical to optimal perinatal management. We report here a case of TD in twin pregnancy, which was prenatally diagnosed by DNA analysis following amniocentesis at 15 weeks, and was managed by selective fetal termination.

Biphasic nanofibrous constructs with seeded cell layers for osteochondral repair.

Biphasic scaffolds have gained increasing attention for the regeneration of osteochondral interfacial tissue because they are expected to effectively define the interfacial structure of tissue that comprises stratified cartilage with a degree of calcification. Here, we propose a biphasic nanofiber construct made of poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) and its mineralized form (mPLCL) populated with cells. Primary rat articular chondrocytes (ACs) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were cultured on the layers of bare PLCL and mPLCL nanofibers, respectively, for 7 days, and the biphasic cell-nanofiber construct was investigated at 4 weeks after implantation into nude mice.

An unusual prenatal manifestation of a huge congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation with favorable perinatal outcome.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare condition which is easily detectable by prenatal ultrasonography. Fetuses with large CCAMs associating with hydrops are predisposed to perinatal mortality, therefore prenatal intervention is required. While macrocystic CCAM is treated prenatally by thoracentesis or thoraco-amniotic shunt, microcystic or mixed CCAM is difficult to manage in the fetus.

Thymidine phosphorylase influences [(18)F]fluorothymidine uptake in cancer cells and patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), a key enzyme in the pyrimidine nucleoside salvage pathway, catalyses the reversible phosphorylation of thymidine, thereby generating thymine and 2-deoxy-D-ribose-1-phosphate. By regulating the levels of endogenous thymidine, TP may influence [(18)F]fluorothymidine ([(18)F]FLT) uptake. We investigated the effect of TP activity on [(18)F]FLT uptake by tumours.

18F-FDG PET/CT in a case of multifocal skeletal tuberculosis without pulmonary disease and potential role for monitoring treatment response.

A 39-year-old man presented with left shoulder and interscapular pain. 99mTc-MDP bone scan demonstrated multiple active bone lesions including scapula, spines, ribs, and pelvis. Chest X-ray showed no active lung lesion, and MRI demonstrated infiltrative enhancing lesions in the T-spines and ribs, indicating skeletal metastasis.

Development of a small animal model to simulate clinical stereotactic body radiotherapy-induced central and peripheral lung injuries.

Given the tremendous potential of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), investigations of the underlying radiobiology associated with SBRT-induced normal tissue injury are of paramount importance. This study was designed to develop an animal model that simulates centrally and peripherally located clinical SBRT-induced lung injuries. A 90-Gy irradiation dose was focally delivered to the central and peripheral areas of the left mouse lung with an image-guided small-animal irradiation system.

Utilizing PCL microcarriers for high-purity isolation of primary endothelial cells for tissue engineering.

Endothelial cells (ECs) are widely used in research, both for fundamental vascular biology research and for exploring strategies to create engineered vascularized tissues. Primary isolation often results in contamination from fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells that can potentially affect function, particularly during the initial expansion period needed to establish the cell culture. In the current study, we explored the use of microcarriers to selectively isolate ECs from the lumen of intact vessels to enhance the purity during the isolation procedure.

Therapeutic foam scaffolds incorporating biopolymer-shelled mesoporous nanospheres with growth factors.

A novel therapeutic scaffolding system of engineered nanocarriers within a foam matrix for the long-term and sequential delivery of growth factors is reported. Mesoporous silica nanospheres were first functionalized to have an enlarged mesopore size (12.2nm) and aminated surface, which was then shelled by a biopolymer, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), via electrospraying.

Fisetin antagonizes cell fusion, cytoskeletal organization and bone resorption in RANKL-differentiated murine macrophages.

Osteoclastogenesis is comprised of several stage s including progenitor survival, differentiation to mononuclear preosteoclasts, cell fusion to multinuclear mature osteoclasts, and activation to osteoclasts with bone resorbing activity. Botanical antioxidants are now being increasingly investigated for their health-promoting effects on bone. This study investigated that fisetin, a flavonol found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, suppressed osteoclastogenesis by disturbing receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κB ligand (RANKL)-mediated signaling pathway and demoting osteoclastogenic protein induction.

Multifunctional hybrid nanocarrier: magnetic CNTs ensheathed with mesoporous silica for drug delivery and imaging system.

Here we communicate the development of a novel multifunctional hybrid nanomaterial, magnetic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) ensheathed with mesoporous silica, for the simultaneous applications of drug delivery and imaging. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were first decorated onto the multiwalled CNTs, which was then layered with mesoporous silica (mSiO2) to facilitate the loading of bioactive molecules to a large quantity while exerting magnetic properties. The hybrid nanomaterial showed a high mesoporosity due to the surface-layered mSiO2, and excellent magnetic properties, including magnetic resonance imaging in vitro and in vivo.

Necrotizing fasciitis in three university hospitals in Korea: a change in causative microorganisms and risk factors of mortality during the last decade.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infectious disease with rapidly progressive involvement of the affected site. Because of the high mortality rate of this disease, early diagnosis, surgical exploration, and administration of appropriate antibiotics are necessary. The present study aimed to further review the changes in the clinical and microbiological characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis using patients' medical records from consecutive databases of 3 hospitals in Korea.

Biointerface control of electrospun fiber scaffolds for bone regeneration: engineered protein link to mineralized surface.

Control over the interface of biomaterials that favors the initial adhesion and subsequent differentiation of stem cells is one of the key strategies in bone tissue engineering. Here we engineer the interface of biopolymer electrospun fiber matrices with a fusion protein of fibronectin 9-10 domain (FNIII9-10) and osteocalcin (OCN), aiming to stimulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) functions, including initial adhesion, growth and osteogenic differentiation. In particular, a specific tethering of FNIII9-10-OCN protein was facilitated by the hydroxyapatite (HA) mineralization of the biopolymer surface through a molecular recognition of OCN to the HA crystal lattice.

Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients with Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteremia.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii, an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen that can cause significant morbidity and mortality, has emerged as a worldwide problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for mortality in patients with A. baumannii bacteremia.

Incidence and risk factors for early-onset hypertension after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children.

Background And Objectives: Survivors of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at risk for developing hypertension. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of early onset hypertension during the engraftment period after HSCT.

Subjects And Methods: This is a retrospective study of 157 consecutive patients (mean age at HSCT: 9.

Phloretin suppresses thrombin-mediated leukocyte-platelet-endothelial interactions.

Scope: Thrombin playing a pivotal role in coagulation cascade may influence the onset and progression of atherosclerosis as a pro-inflammatory mediator. This study investigated whether phloretin found in apple tree leaves, severed a linkage between thrombosis and atherosclerosis by thrombin.

Methods And Results: Human endothelial cells were pre-treated with 1-20 μM phloretin and stimulated with 10 U/mL thrombin.