Actin Depolymerizing Factor Destrin Regulates Cilia Development and Function during Vertebrate Embryogenesis.

The actin cytoskeleton plays fundamental roles in ciliogenesis and the actin depolymerizing factor destrin regulates actin dynamics by treadmilling actin filaments and increasing globular actin pools. However, the specific developmental roles of destrin in ciliogenesis have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the function of destrin in ciliogenesis using and human retinal pigmented epithelial (hRPE1) cells.

PCNB exposure during early embryogenic development induces developmental delay and teratogenicity by altering the gene expression in Xenopus laevis.

Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) is an organochlorine fungicide commonly used to treat seeds against seedling infections and controlling snow mold on golf courses. PCNB has been demonstrated to be toxic to living organisms, including fish and several terrestrial organisms. However, only phenotypical deformities have been studied, and the effects of PCNB on early embryogenesis, where primary organogenesis occurs, have not been completely studied.

Cathepsin D as a potential therapeutic target to enhance anticancer drug-induced apoptosis via RNF183-mediated destabilization of Bcl-xL in cancer cells.

Cathepsin D (Cat D) is well known for its roles in metastasis, angiogenesis, proliferation, and carcinogenesis in cancer. Despite Cat D being a promising target in cancer cells, effects and underlying mechanism of its inhibition remain unclear. Here, we investigated the plausibility of using Cat D inhibition as an adjuvant or sensitizer for enhancing anticancer drug-induced apoptosis.

Physiological Functions of Thiol Peroxidases (Gpx1 and Prdx2) during Embryonic Development.

Glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) and peroxiredoxin 2 (Prdx2) belong to the thiol peroxidase family of antioxidants, and have been studied for their antioxidant functions and roles in cancers. However, the physiological significance of Gpx1 and Prdx2 during vertebrate embryogenesis are lacking. Currently, we investigated the functional roles of Gpx1 and Prdx2 during vertebrate embryogenesis using as a vertebrate model.

Effects of intragastric balloon on obesity in obese Korean women for 6 months post removal.

Background/objectives: The prevalence of morbid obesity in Korean women has consistently been increasing, while the overall prevalence rate of obesity in Korean women seems to be stable. In addition to bariatric surgery, intragastric balloons (IGBs), as a nonsurgical therapy, have been reported to be effective in weight loss. However, the beneficial effects of IGB in Korean women with obesity have not been fully investigated.

Heat-Killed and Live Attenuates Enlarged Prostate in an Animal Model of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of heat-killed () and live on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The BPH rat model was established by administering male rats with testosterone propionate (TP, 5 mg/kg, in corn oil) via subcutaneous injections daily for four weeks after castration. The rats were divided into five groups: Con, corn oil-injected (s.

Mediates Posterior Development by Regulating Cell Death during Embryogenesis.

Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) belongs to the glutathione peroxidase family of selenoproteins and is a key antioxidant enzyme in multicellular organisms against oxidative damage. Downregulation of GPx3 affects tumor progression and metastasis and is associated with liver and heart disease. However, the physiological significance of GPx3 in vertebrate embryonic development remains poorly understood.

Dach1 regulates neural crest migration during embryonic development.

Dachshund 1(Dach1) is a key component of the retinal determination gene network that plays significant roles in cell fate regulation. The vertebrate homolog of Drosophila dachshund has gained considerable importance as an essential regulator of development, but its functions during embryonic development remain elusive. We investigated the functional significance of dach1 during Xenopus embryogenesis using loss-of-function studies.

Interplay Between Mitochondrial Peroxiredoxins and ROS in Cancer Development and Progression.

Mitochondria are multifunctional cellular organelles that are major producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in eukaryotes; to maintain the redox balance, they are supplemented with different ROS scavengers, including mitochondrial peroxiredoxins (Prdxs). Mitochondrial Prdxs have physiological and pathological significance and are associated with the initiation and progression of various cancer types. In this review, we have focused on signaling involving ROS and mitochondrial Prdxs that is associated with cancer development and progression.

Comparative Analysis of the Developmental Toxicity in Xenopus laevis and Danio rerio Induced by Al O Nanoparticle Exposure.

Engineered aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al O NPs) having high-grade thermal stability and water-dispersion properties are extensively used in different industries and personal care products. Toxicological response evaluation of these NPs is indispensable in assessing the health risks and exposure limits because of their industrial disposal into the aquatic environment. We assessed and compared the developmental toxicity of Al O NPs in Xenopus laevis and Danio rerio over a period of 96 h using the frog embryo teratogenic assay Xenopus and a fish embryo toxicity assay.

Antidiabetic Effects of Gastric Banding Surgery in Morbidly Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of gastric banding surgery on the improvement of glycated hemoglobin (HbA) of morbidly obese (MO) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with the consideration that obesity was associated with insulin resistance and T2DM. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 38 MO with T2DM patients and 50 MO patients. Pre-surgery and post-surgery data were analyzed a year later.

Effect of weight loss by diet or gastric bypass surgery on peptide YY3-36 levels.

Objective: To examine the effect of an equivalent weight loss, by gastric bypass surgery (GBP) or by diet, on peptide YY3-36 (PYY3-36), ghrelin, and leptin levels and to determine the effect of diabetes status on PYY3-36 levels.

Summary Background Data: The increased PYY3-36 levels after GBP may be involved in the magnitude and the sustainability of weight loss after surgery.

Methods: Of the 30 morbidly obese women who participated in the study, 21 had type 2 diabetes mellitus, and were studied before and after equivalent weight loss of 10 kg by either GBP (n = 11) or by diet (n = 10).

Minimal-scar laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is the most commonly performed bariatric operation in Korea. Occasionally, patients have expressed their dissatisfaction with visible scars on the access port area and other port entries after undergoing LAGB.

Methods: Fifty-one "minimal-scar" LAGB operations were performed beginning in 2006 with a goal of minimizing visible scars, and 31 LAGB operations with a conventional port placement technique were performed previously during the first 3 years of our practice (2003-2005).

Initial evaluation of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding in Korea: a single institution study.

Background: Obesity becomes a global epidemic disease, and bariatric surgery is increasing in Korea as well as in western countries. The first laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) was performed in 2003, and the Lap Band was approved for use in Korea in 2004. There are no data regarding gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding regarding weight loss as well as changing of pre-existing comorbidities up to date.

Effect of weight loss by gastric bypass surgery versus hypocaloric diet on glucose and incretin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Context: Gastric bypass surgery (GBP) results in rapid weight loss, improvement of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and increase in incretins levels. Diet-induced weight loss also improves T2DM and may increase incretin levels.

Objective: Our objective was to determine whether the magnitude of the change of the incretin levels and effect is greater after GBP compared with a low caloric diet, after equivalent weight loss.