Adhesion Reduction Agent Guardix-SG Versus MegaShield for Postoperative Swallowing Function Analysis in Thyroidectomy Patients.

Background: Antiadhesion products are essential for postoperative care in patients after thyroidectomy by providing a physical barrier to cover the exposed tissue and thus preventing abnormal adhesion of adjacent tissues. Since thyroidectomy may result in swallowing difficulties arising from damage or inflammation of the surrounding tissues, the use of antiadhesion agents such as MegaShield or Guardix-SG will help reduce scar formation. This may thus improve postoperative swallowing function in patients.

Hydrogen Peroxide Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Replication by Downregulating HBx Levels via Siah-1-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation in Human Hepatoma Cells.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is constantly exposed to significant oxidative stress characterized by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as HO, during infection in hepatocytes of patients. In this study, we demonstrated that HO inhibits HBV replication in a p53-dependent fashion in human hepatoma cell lines expressing sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide. Interestingly, HO failed to inhibit the replication of an HBV X protein (HBx)-null HBV mutant, but this defect was successfully complemented by ectopic expression of HBx.

All-trans retinoic acid inhibits HCV replication by downregulating core levels via E6AP-mediated proteasomal degradation.

Here, we found that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the most biologically active metabolite of vitamin A, strengthens the anti-viral defense mechanism of E6-associated protein (E6AP) that downregulates hepatitis C virus (HCV) Core levels via ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. For this effect, ATRA downregulated both protein and enzyme activity levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 and 3b and activated E6AP expression via promoter hypomethylation in HepG2 cells but not in Hep3B cells, in which p53 was absent. Ectopic p53 expression but not E6AP overexpression restored the ability of ATRA to downregulate HCV Core levels in Hep3B cells, suggesting a direct role of p53 in the E6AP-mediated ubiquitination of HCV Core.

Biomimetic whitlockite inorganic nanoparticles-mediated in situ remodeling and rapid bone regeneration.

Bone remodeling process relies on complex signaling pathway between osteoblasts and osteoclasts and control mechanisms to achieve homeostasis of their growth and differentiation. Despite previous achievements in understanding complicated signaling pathways between cells and bone extracellular matrices during bone remodeling process, a role of local ionic concentration remains to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that synthetic whitlockite (WH: CaMg(HPO)(PO)) nanoparticles can recapitulate early-stage of bone regeneration through stimulating osteogenic differentiation, prohibiting osteoclastic activity, and transforming into mechanically enhanced hydroxyapatite (HAP)-neo bone tissues by continuous supply of PO and Mg under physiological conditions.

Screening and Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains with Anti-inflammatory Activities through in vitro and Caenorhabditis elegans Model Testing.

The present study was conducted to screen candidate probiotic strains for anti-inflammatory activity. Initially, a nitric oxide (NO) assay was used to test selected candidate probiotic strains for anti-inflammatory activity in cultures of the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Whitlockite Biocompatibility: Comparative Study with Hydroxyapatite and β-Tricalcium Phosphate.

Biomimicking ceramics have been developed to induce efficient recovery of damaged hard tissues. Among them, calcium phosphate-based bioceramics have been the most widely used because of their similar composition with human hard tissue and excellent biocompatibilities. However, the incomplete understanding of entire inorganic phases in natural bone has limited the recreation of complete bone compositions.

Biofunctionalized ceramic with self-assembled networks of nanochannels.

Nature designs circulatory systems with hierarchically organized networks of gradually tapered channels ranging from micrometer to nanometer in diameter. In most hard tissues in biological systems, fluid, gases, nutrients and wastes are constantly exchanged through such networks. Here, we developed a biologically inspired, hierarchically organized structure in ceramic to achieve effective permeation with minimum void region, using fabrication methods that create a long-range, highly interconnected nanochannel system in a ceramic biomaterial.

Phase transformation from hydroxyapatite to the secondary bone mineral, whitlockite.

Whitlockite (WH: CaMg(HPO)(PO)) is the second most abundant mineral in hard tissues, but its precipitation mechanism or role in the body system is poorly understood. Here, using a newly discovered synthetic method for WH, we investigated the kinetic mechanism for the precipitation of WH under physiologically similar conditions, excluding any effects of toxic ions. Based on systematically classified stages in the precipitation process of WH, we monitored the transformation of calcium phosphate phases from neutral pH to acidic pH with the addition of HPO.

Severe neurologic manifestations in acute intermittent porphyria developed after spine surgery under general anesthesia: a case report.

Porphyrias are inherited metabolic disorders resulting from a specific enzyme defect in the heme biosynthetic pathway. Porphyrias are induced by various precipitants. Clinical features include abdominal pain, neurologic manifestations, autonomic neuropathy, and mental disturbance.

Effect of perioperative transfusion of old red blood cells on postoperative complications after free muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap surgery for breast reconstruction.

Background: Transfusion with old red blood cells (RBCs) was associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The effect of perioperative transfusion of old RBCs on postoperative complications after free muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap surgery was retrospectively investigated.

Methods: Two hundred sixty-one patients undergoing breast reconstruction were assigned to two groups: no transfusion and transfusion groups.

Beneficial effects of fresh and fermented kimchi in prediabetic individuals.

Background: With the increased incidence of diabetes mellitus, the importance of early intervention in prediabetes has been emphasized. We previously reported that fermented kimchi, a traditional Korean food, reduced body weight and improved metabolic factors in overweight participants. We hypothesized that kimchi and its fermented form would have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism in patients with prediabetes.

Clinical significance of the cross-sectional area of the internal jugular vein.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the right internal jugular vein (IJV) with that of the left IJV and to evaluate the anatomic location of the IJV in relation to the common carotid artery, utilizing computed tomography scans of the neck.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: A tertiary care hospital.

Anesthetic management for a patient with severe mento-sternal contracture: difficult airway and scarce venous access -A case report-.

There are many problems in the anesthetic management of patients with scar contracture. In this case, a 41-year-old male with severe scar contracture on his face, neck, anterior chest, and both shoulders underwent surgery for resurfacing with flaps. We tried to awake fiberoptic orotracheal intubation with GlideScope® Video laryngoscope guide after surgical release of contracture under local anesthesia.

The postoperative C-reactive protein level can be a useful prognostic factor for poor outcome and symptomatic vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Ninety-three patients undergoing surgical or endovascular operation secondary to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were retrospectively analyzed to determine the influence of the different time points of C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement on the prediction of vasospasm and clinical outcome.

Methods: Laboratory data such as the CRP level and the white blood cell count, preoperative demographic and clinical data, intraoperative and postoperative data, and complications such as intracerebral hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, vasospasm, and surgical decompression were collected at hospital discharge or symptomatic vasospasm and used as predictable factors for poor outcome (Modified Rankin Scale score 4 to 6).

Results: Twenty-three and 28 patients showed poor outcome and symptomatic vasospasm after SAH, respectively.

Fermented kimchi reduces body weight and improves metabolic parameters in overweight and obese patients.

Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean food that has garnered international interest due to its various beneficial effects. Focusing on the effect of fermentation, this study hypothesized that consumption of fermented kimchi would have more beneficial effects compared with that of fresh kimchi on metabolic parameters that are related to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome risks in overweight and obese subjects. Twenty-two overweight and obese patients with body mass indexes greater than 25 kg/m(2) were randomly assigned to two 4-week diet phases separated by a 2-week washout period (crossover design).

Intake of brown rice lees reduces waist circumference and improves metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes.

Intake of whole grains has been associated with lower risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Brown rice is unrefined whole grain and is produced by removing the outermost layers containing the germ and bran, which are rich in nutrients including dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other unmeasured dietary constituents. The lees of brown rice (LB) are by-products of its fermentation in the process of manufacturing takju, a Korean turbid rice wine.

Effect and appropriate restriction period of constraint-induced movement therapy in hemiparetic patients with brain injury: a brief report.

Objective: To investigate the effect on fine motor ability and the appropriate restriction period of constraint-induced movement therapy in hemiparetic patients with brain injury.

Design: Nine chronic hemiparetic patients with brain injury were studied. After confirming the cessation of further recovery of fine motor ability by Purdue pegboard test and motor function by the Medical Research Council for three consecutive weeks, the affected hand was restricted with an opposition restriction orthosis.