Toll-Like Receptor 2 Attenuates the Formation and Progression of Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in ApoE-/- Mice.

Introduction: We demonstrated Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 in the pathogenesis of angiotensin II (AngII)-mediated abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. Here, we study TLR2 in the AAA formation.

Methods: Male ApoE-/- and ApoE-/-TLR2-/- mice were treated with AngII.

Curcumol metabolized by rat liver S9 fraction and orally administered in mouse suppressed the proliferation of colon cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Following 3R (reduction, refinement, and replacement) principles, we employed the rat liver S9 fraction to mimic liver metabolism of curcumol having high in vitro IC on cancer cells. In HCT116 and HT29 colon cancer cells, the metabolites of curcumol by S9 fraction exerted more enhanced activity in inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via regulating the expression of cyclin D1, CDK1, p21, PARP and Bcl-2 than curcumol. In addition, oral administration of curcumol at 4 mg/kg BW significantly suppressed the development of colon tumor induced by azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor tissues.

Oronasal fistula reconstruction using tongue flap with simultaneous iliac bone graft: a case report.

The ultimate goal of cleft palate repair is to achieve an intact palate with the separation of the oral and nasal cavities. However, some patients develop an oronasal fistula in the secondary palate after palatoplasty. Postoperatively, a secondary palatal oronasal fistula may develop, leading to functional problems.

Correction to: 1,3,5,8‑Tetrahydroxyxanthone suppressed adipogenesis via activating Hedgehog signaling in 3T3‑L1 adipocytes.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s10068-022-01130-y.].

Comprehensive Evaluation System for Post-Metabolic Activity of Potential Thyroid-Disrupting Chemicals.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds that disturb hormonal homeostasis by binding to receptors. EDCs are metabolized through hepatic enzymes, causing altered transcriptional activities of hormone receptors, and thus necessitating the exploration of the potential endocrine-disrupting activities of EDC-derived metabolites. Accordingly, we have developed an integrative workflow for evaluating the post-metabolic activity of potential hazardous compounds.

Age-specific characteristics of road traffic injuries among children and adolescents in South Korea.

Objective: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the leading cause of mortality among children and adolescents. This study aimed to identify and compare the age-specific epidemiology, clinical characteristics and factors related to severe RTIs among children and adolescents who had RTIs.

Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted using data collected between January 2011 and December 2018 in the Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance registry in South Korea.

Perilla oil and α-linolenic acid ameliorated thrombosis in rats induced by collagen and epinephrine.

is an annual herbaceous plant widely cultivated for oil production in China, Japan, and Korea. In this study, we investigated the effect of perilla oil (PO) on thrombosis induced by collagen and epinephrine (CE) in rats. The oral administration of PO significantly increased prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in the blood plasma and inhibited the expression of cells adhesion markers (CAMs) such as intercellular CAM-1 (ICAM-1), vascular CAM (VCAM-1), E-selectin and P-selectin in the aorta tissue.

1,3,5,8-Tetrahydroxyxanthone suppressed adipogenesis via activating Hedgehog signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

In this study, we investigated the effect of 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (THX) on the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. THX, a xanthone isolated from , inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and reduced the protein levels of the key adipogenic transcriptional factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, THX enhanced the transcriptional activity of Gli1 known as the key indicator of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling activity and increased the expression of Gli1 and its upstream regulator Smo.

L. cv. DANGJO ameliorated hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes animal model induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin.

In this study, it was evaluated the effect of freeze-dried powder of L. cv. DANGJO (DJ) on ameliorating hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes rat model induced by high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ).

Garcinone C Suppresses Tumorsphere Formation and Invasiveness by Hedgehog/Gli1 Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Stem-like Cells.

Hyperactivation of hedgehog signaling occurs in colorectal cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), a rare subpopulation, potentially involved in metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, and cancer relapse. Garcinone C, a xanthone isolated from mangosteen (), suppresses colorectal cancer and by inhibiting Gli1-dependent noncanonical hedgehog signaling. Herein, we investigated the effect of garcinone C on cancer stemness and invasiveness in colorectal cancer; Gli1 was noted as pivotal in maintaining stemness and invasiveness in HCT116 and HT29 CSCs.

Correction to: L. cv. DANGJO ameliorated hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes animal model induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s10068-022-01068-1.].

Suppression of Adipogenesis and Fat Accumulation by Vitexin Through Activation of Hedgehog Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Many studies have demonstrated that adipogenesis is associated with obesity, and the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway regulates adipogenesis and obesity. Following the screening study of the chemical library evaluating the effect of vitexin on Gli1 transcriptional activity, vitexin was chosen as a candidate for antiadipogenic efficacy. Vitexin significantly reduced lipid accumulation and suppressed C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ) and PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ) expression, which are known as key adipogenic factors in the early stages of adipogenesis by activating Hh signaling.

Clinical Application of 3D-Printed Patient-Specific Polycaprolactone/Beta Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffold for Complex Zygomatico-Maxillary Defects.

(1) Background: In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of a 3D-printed, patient-specific polycaprolactone/beta tricalcium phosphate (PCL/β-TCP) scaffold in the treatment of complex zygomatico-maxillary defects. (2) Methods: We evaluated eight patients who underwent immediate or delayed maxillary reconstruction with patient-specific PCL implants between December 2019 and June 2021. The efficacy of these techniques was assessed using the volume and density analysis of computed tomography data obtained before surgery and six months after surgery.

Toxicological Evaluation of a Probiotic-Based Delivery System for P8 Protein as an Anti-Colorectal Cancer Drug.

Purpose: This study aimed to toxicological evaluate a probiotics-based delivery system for p8 protein as an anti-colorectal cancer drug.

Introduction: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been widely ingested for many years and are regarded as very safe. Recently, a SL4 (PP) strain that secretes the probiotic-derived anti-cancer protein P8 (PP-P8) has been developed as an anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) biologic by Cell Biotech.

Caudatin suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and reduces body weight gain in high-fat diet-fed mice through activation of hedgehog signaling.

Background: The regulative effects of caudatin, a C-21 steroid that is identified from Cynanchum bungee roots, on adipogenesis and obesity have not been studied. Many studies have demonstrated that the activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling can help prevent obesity. Therefore, we hypothesized that caudatin can inhibit adipogenesis and obesity via activating the Hh signaling pathway.

Freeze-Dried Powder of Miquel Ameliorates Isoproterenol-Induced Oxidative Stress and Tissue Damage in Rats.

Miquel (bokbunja), Korean black raspberry, is known to possess various phytochemicals that exert antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, most studies on Miquel have been performed with the solvent extracts and/or a single component to demonstrate the efficacy, while studies evaluating the effect of the whole fructus of Miquel are limited. In this study, therefore, we employed the isoproterenol (IPN)-induced myocardial infarction model and investigated the effect of freeze-dried powder of Miquel (RCP) on oxidative stress and prevention of organ damage.

A synthetic probiotic engineered for colorectal cancer therapy modulates gut microbiota.

Background: Successful chemoprevention or chemotherapy is achieved through targeted delivery of prophylactic agents during initial phases of carcinogenesis or therapeutic agents to malignant tumors. Bacteria can be used as anticancer agents, but efforts to utilize attenuated pathogenic bacteria suffer from the risk of toxicity or infection. Lactic acid bacteria are safe to eat and often confer health benefits, making them ideal candidates for live vehicles engineered to deliver anticancer drugs.

Colorectal Cancer Therapy Using a SL4 Drug Delivery System Secreting Lactic Acid Bacteria-Derived Protein p8.

Despite decades of research into colorectal cancer (CRC), there is an ongoing need for treatments that are more effective and safer than those currently available. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) show beneficial effects in the context of several diseases, including CRC, and are generally regarded as safe. Here, we isolated a (LR)-derived therapeutic protein, p8, which suppressed CRC proliferation.

Anti-Colorectal Cancer Effects of Probiotic-Derived p8 Protein.

Recently, we reported a novel therapeutic probiotic-derived protein, p8, which has anti-colorectal cancer (anti-CRC) properties. In vitro experiments using a CRC cell line (DLD-1), anti-proliferation activity (about 20%) did not improve after increasing the dose of recombinant-p8 (r-p8) to >10 μM. Here, we show that this was due to the low penetrative efficiency of r-p8 exogenous treatment.

Targeted disruption of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in cardiomyocytes attenuates cardiac parasympathetic dysfunction in type 1 diabetic Akita mice.

Type 1 diabetic Akita mice develop severe cardiac parasympathetic dysfunction that we have previously demonstrated is due at least in part to an abnormality in the response of the end organ to parasympathetic stimulation. Specifically, we had shown that hypoinsulinemia in the diabetic heart results in attenuation of the G-protein coupled inward rectifying K channel (GIRK) which mediates the negative chronotropic response to parasympathetic stimulation due at least in part to decreased expression of the GIRK1 and GIRK4 subunits of the channel. We further demonstrated that the expression of GIRK1 and GIRK4 is under the control of the Sterol Regulatory element Binding Protein (SREBP-1), which is also decreased in response to hypoinsulinemia.

Efficacy and patient satisfaction regarding lymphovenous bypass with sleeve-in anastomosis for extremity lymphedema.

Background: When performing lymphovenous anastomosis, it is sometimes difficult to find venules in the proximity of an ideal lymphatic vessel that have a similar diameter to that of the lymphatic vessel. In this situation, larger venules can be used.

Methods: The authors evaluated the efficacy of and patient satisfaction with lymphovenous bypass with sleeve-in anastomosis.

QRS/T-wave and calcium alternans in a type I diabetic mouse model for spontaneous postmyocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia: A mechanism for the antiarrhythmic effect of statins.

Background: The incidence of sudden arrhythmic death is markedly increased in diabetics.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a mouse model for postmyocardial infarction (post-MI) ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the diabetic heart and determine the mechanism of an antiarrhythmic effect of statins.

Methods: ECG transmitters were implanted in wild-type (WT), placebo, and pravastatin-treated type I diabetic Akita mice.

Enantiomeric CopA3 dimer peptide suppresses cell viability and tumor xenograft growth of human gastric cancer cells.

The CopA3 dimer peptide is a coprisin analog that has an anticancer effect against human cancer cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of the enantiomeric CopA3 dimer peptide in human gastric cancer cell lines as well as in an in vivo tumor xenograft model. Enantiomeric CopA3 reduced gastric cancer cell viability and exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Angiotensin II-induced TLR4 mediated abdominal aortic aneurysm in apolipoprotein E knockout mice is dependent on STAT3.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in men over 65 years of age. Male apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice infused with angiotensin II (AngII) develop AAA. Although AngII stimulates both JAK/STAT and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathways, their involvement in AngII mediated AAA formation is unclear.