Macrophage-induced Expression of TonEBP/NFAT5 Is Associated With Gefitinib Resistance and Migration in PC-9 Cells.

Background/aim: Macrophages prevail in the microenvironment of several tumors, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where they secrete pro-tumorigenic factors that contribute to cancer progression. This study investigated the role of macrophages on the resistance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC cells to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

Materials And Methods: EGFR-mutated cell lines PC-9 and HCC827 were cocultured with macrophages and treated with TKIs (erlotinib and gefitinib).

TonEBP/NFAT5 expression is associated with cisplatin resistance and migration in macrophage-induced A549 cells.

Background: Macrophages promote angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance in several cancers. Similarly, TonEBP/NFAT5 induces metastasis in renal carcinoma and colon cancer cells. However, the role of this transcription factor and that of macrophages in lung cancer cells remains unclear.

TonEBP expression is essential in the IL-1β-induced migration and invasion of human A549 lung cancer cells.

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among all cancers, in part because it readily metastasizes. The tumor microenvironment, comprising blood vessels, fibroblasts, immune cells, and macrophages [including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)], is closely related to cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. TAMs secrete several cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, which participate in cancer migration and invasion.

Compositional changes in fecal microbiota in a new Parkinson's disease model: C57BL/6-Tg(NSE-haSyn) mice.

Background: The gut-brain axis (GBA) in Parkinson's disease (PD) has only been investigated in limited mice models despite dysbiosis of the gut microbiota being considered one of the major treatment targets for neurodegenerative disease. Therefore, this study examined the compositional changes of fecal microbiota in novel transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing human α-synuclein (hαSyn) proteins under the neuron-specific enolase (NSE) to analyze the potential as GBA model.

Results: The expression level of the αSyn proteins was significantly higher in the substantia nigra and striatum of NSE-hαSyn Tg mice than the Non-Tg mice, while those of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were decreased in the same group.

Chemosensitivity to doxorubicin in primary cells derived from tumor of FVB/N-Trp53 with TALEN-mediated Trp53 mutant gene.

Background: To evaluate the chemosensitivity to doxorubicin (DOX) in two primary cells derived from a tumor of FVB/N-Trp53 knockout (KO) mice with TALEN-mediated Trp53 mutant gene, we evaluated the cell survivability, cell cycle distribution, apoptotic cell numbers and apoptotic protein expression in solid tumor cells and ascetic tumor cells treated with DOX.

Results: The primary tumor cells showed a significant (P < 0.05) defect for UV-induced upregulation of the Trp53 protein, and consisted of different ratios of leukocytes, fibroblasts, epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells.

Adiposity Reduction by var. Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of var. (CG) in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The mice received CG water extract (CGWE) treatment for 8 weeks, and changes in body weight and serum lipid levels were analyzed.

Sweat Production During Continuous and Interval Aerobic Exercise.

Aerobic exercise within the habitable volume of small spacecraft needed for space exploration beyond low Earth orbit is expected to challenge the capacity of environmental control systems. Moisture control is a primary concern. Crewmembers will contribute moisture to the cabin environment in the form of sweat while exercising.

Characterisation of changes in global genes expression in the lung of ICR mice in response to the inflammation and fibrosis induced by polystyrene nanoplastics inhalation.

Unlabelled: This study characterised the changes in global gene expression in the lung of ICR mice in response to the inflammation and fibrosis induced by the inhalation of 0.5 μm polystyrene (PS)-nanoplastics (NPs) at various concentrations (4, 8, and 16 μg/mL) for 2 weeks. The total RNA extracted from the lung tissue of NPs-inhaled mice was hybridised into oligonucleotide microarrays.

as a promising anti-obesity treatment in knockout mice.

Introduction: The therapeutic effects and mechanisms of () extracts have been examined concerning inflammation, photoaging, and gastritis; however, their effect on obesity is still being investigated.

Methods: We administered a methanol extract of (MED) orally to knockout (KO) mice for 4 weeks to investigate the therapeutic effects on obesity, weight gain, fat accumulation, lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, and β-oxidation.

Results: In KO mice, MED significantly reduced weight gains, food intake, and total cholesterol and glyceride levels.

Anti-Atopic Dermatitis Effects of Abietic Acid Isolated from Rosin under Condition Optimized by Response Surface Methodology in DNCB-Spread BALB/c Mice.

Abietic acid (AA) is known to have beneficial effects on inflammation, photoaging, osteoporosis, cancer, and obesity; however, its efficacy on atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been reported. We investigated the anti-AD effects of AA, which was newly isolated from rosin, in an AD model. To achieve this, AA was isolated from rosin under conditions optimized by response surface methodology (RSM), and its effects on cell death, iNOS-induced COX-2 mediated pathway, inflammatory cytokine transcription, and the histopathological skin structure were analyzed in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated BALB/c mice after treatment with AA for 4 weeks.

Protective Effects of in Blue Light-Induced Macular Degeneration in A2E-Laden ARPE19 Cells and Retina of Balb/c Mice.

Natural products with significant antioxidant activity have been receiving attention as one of the treatment strategies to prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) including oxo-N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (oxo-A2E) and singlet oxygen-induced damage, are believed to be one of the major causes of the development of AMD. To investigate the therapeutic effects of methanol extracts of Roxb.

Therapeutic Effects of against Ulcerative Colitis Induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium.

() has been studied as a treatment option for ulcerative colitis (UC), but there is a lack of scientific evidence showing whether treatment with () can also be beneficial. To investigate the therapeutic potential of as a treatment for UC, clinical symptoms, histopathological characteristics of the colon, inflammatory response, and toxicity were analyzed in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mice after administration of aqueous extracts of (AAS) for 7 days. The total polyphenol and tannin content of AAS was 272 µg/g and 163 µg/g, respectively.

Comparison of immunophenotypes between Rag2 knockout mice derived from two different sources.

Background: Recombination activating gene2 (Rag2) knockout (KO) mice are used widely in various research fields, including vaccine development, transplantation studies, and hematopoiesis research, but few studies have compared their phenotypes. This study examined whether there were differences in the immunophenotypes between Rag2 KO mice derived from different sources. In particular, the changes in the organ weight, histological structure, and subpopulation of T and B cells were compared in the spleen and thymus of C57BL/6-Rag2/Korl (Rag2/Korl KO) and B6.

Improvement of the intestinal epithelial barrier during laxative effects of phlorotannin in loperamide-induced constipation of SD rats.

Background: Disruptions of the intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) are frequently observed in various digestive diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study assessed the improvement in the IEB during the laxative activity of phlorotannin (Pt) harvested from Ecklonia cava in constipation by examining the changes in the expression of the regulatory proteins for the tight junction (TJ) and adherens junction (AJ), and inflammatory cytokines in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with loperamide (Lm)-induced constipation after a Pt treatment.

Results: The Pt treatment induced laxative activity, including the improvement of feces-related parameters, gastrointestinal transit rate, and histological structure of the mid colon in Lm-treated SD rats.

Similarities and differences in constipation phenotypes between Lep knockout mice and high fat diet-induced obesity mice.

CRISPR-Cas9-mediated leptin (Lep) knockout (KO) mice exhibited prominent phenotypes for constipation, even though they were not compared with other model animals. This study compared the stool excretion, gastrointestinal motility, histological structure, mucin secretion, and enteric nerve function in Lep KO and high fat diet (HFD)-treated mice to determine if there were differences in their phenotypes for constipation. Most obesity phenotypes, including fat weight, adipocyte size, expression of lipolytic proteins (HSL, perilipin, and ATGL), and glucose concentrations, were detected similarly in the Lep KO and HFD-treated mice.

Anti-obesity effects of agar (Gelidium amansii)-derived oligosaccharides in high-fat diet-treated C57BL/6N mice due to differential regulations of lipogenesis and lipolysis.

To investigate the effects of agar oligosaccharides (AO) on lipid metabolism, changes in obesity phenotypes and related molecular factors were evaluated in C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). When HFD-induced obese mice were fed AO, they lost weight. Also, fat accumulation in abdominal and liver tissues was lower in the AO groups than in the Vehicle group.

Antioxidative Role of (Brum. F.) Hochr. on UV-Induced Photoaging of Dermal Fibroblasts and Melanoma Cells.

Antioxidants are an important strategy for treating photoaging because excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced during UV irradiation. The therapeutic effects of methanol extracts of (Brum. F.

Dysregulation of the Enteric Nervous System in the Mid Colon of Complement Component 3 Knockout Mice with Constipation Phenotypes.

Complement component 3 (C3) contributes to neurogenesis, neural migration, and synaptic elimination under normal and disease conditions of the brain, even though it has not been studied in the enteric nervous system (ENS). To determine the role of C3 in the regulatory mechanism of ENS during C3 deficiency-induced constipation, the changes in the markers of neuronal and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), the markers for excitatory and inhibitory transmission of ENS, and expression of C3 receptors were analyzed in the mid colon of C3 knockout (KO) mice at 16 weeks of age. Prominent constipation phenotypes, including the decrease in stool parameters, changes in the histological structure, and suppression of mucin secretion, were detected in C3 KO mice compared to wildtype (WT) mice.

Ultrafine α-Phase Molybdenum Carbide Decorated with Platinum Nanoparticles for Efficient Hydrogen Production in Acidic and Alkaline Media.

The development of efficient electrocatalysts is important to produce clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel on a large scale. With respect to cathodic reactions, Pt exhibits an overwhelming electrocatalytic capability in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in comparison with other earth-abundant electrocatalysts, despite its rarity and high cost. So, a hybrid catalyst that combines a low-cost electrocatalyst with Pt would balance cost-effectiveness with catalytic activity.

3D Architectures of Co P Using Silk Fibroin Scaffolds: An Active and Stable Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Generation in Acidic and Alkaline Media.

Developing nonprecious, highly active, and stable catalysts is essential for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction in water splitting. In this study, the facile synthesis of a 3D flower-like Co P/carbon architecture is proposed composed of an assembly of nanosheets interconnected by silk fibroin that acts as 3D scaffolds and a carbon source. This unique 3D architecture coupled with a carbon matrix enhances catalytic activity by exposing more active sites and increasing charge transport.

Low Common Carotid Artery Systolic Occlusion Pressure and Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Are Associated with Development of Neurologic Intolerance during Proximal Protected Carotid Artery Stenting.

Background And Objectives: Neurologic intolerance (NI) is defined as the occurrence of neurological symptoms during carotid artery stenting (CAS). Because NI is inevitable problem, it may be helpful to anticipate its occurrence. So, we studied factors associated with NI during proximal protected CAS.

The Effect of Inter-Departmental Stroke Meetings on Rehabilitation in a Comprehensive Cerebrovascular Center.

Background: Stroke is the number one cause of adulthood disability in Korea. Rehabilitation after stroke can minimize functional disability, enhance recovery toward independence, and optimize community reintegration. The inter-departmental stroke meeting (IDSM) is a potential method to improve rehabilitation outcomes in patients with stroke.

Repeated ultraviolet irradiation induces the expression of Toll-like receptor 4, IL-6, and IL-10 in neonatal human melanocytes.

Background: Human melanocytes express Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which regulates ultraviolet (UV)-induced cutaneous immunosuppression in Langerhans cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation increases melanocyte pigmentation and TLR4 expression, while inducing local innate inflammatory responses.

Aims: We investigated whether UV radiation induces TLR4 expression in neonatal human melanocytes (NHMs) and how this affects the immune system.