Blockade of the vaspin-AP-1 axis inhibits arthritis development.

The trapping of pathogenic ligands can potentially be used to prevent signal transduction mediated by catabolic factor expression in osteoarthritis (OA). Although vaspin is known to function as a pathogenic ligand and represents a novel adipokine, little is known about its function and the impact of its nebulization-based administration in OA. Here we provide a report on the function of vaspin in articular chondrocytes and OA model mice.

ABA and Pre-Harvest Sprouting Differences in Knockout Lines of OsPHS3 Encoding Carotenoid Isomerase via CRISPR/Cas9 in Rice.

We generated and characterized knockout mutant lines of the gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The knockout lines of the gene showed that 1 bp and 7 bp deletion, early termination codons were used for protein production. Agronomic characteristics of knock-out lines were reduced in plant height, culm diameter, panicle length, seed size and weight, except for the number of tillers.

Optimization of Conditions for Expression of Dengue Serotype 2 EDIII Protein in and Immune Responses of Adjuvant-Free EDIII Ferritin Nanoparticles Against Dengue Virus in BALB/c Mice.

Self-assembling ferritin nanoparticle technology is a widely used vaccine development platform for enhancing the efficacy of subunit vaccines by displaying multiple antigens on nanocages. The dengue virus (DENV) envelope domain III (EDIII) protein, the most promising antigen for DENV, has been applied in vaccine development, and it is essential to evaluate the relative immunogenicity of the EDIII protein and EDIII-conjugated ferritin to show the efficiency of the ferritin delivery system compared with EDIII. In this study, we optimized the conditions for the expression of the EDIII protein in , protein purification, and refolding, and these optimization techniques were applied for the purification of EDIII ferritin nanoparticles.

Knockout of Gene Encoding Cytosolic Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Affects Energy Metabolism in Rice Seeds.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a major glycolytic enzyme that plays an important role in several cellular processes, including plant hormone signaling, plant development, and transcriptional regulation. In this study, we divided it into four groups through structural analysis of eight genes identified in the rice genome. Among them, the expression level of five genes of cytosolic was shown to be different for each organ.

A Novel BD2-Selective Inhibitor of BRDs Mitigates ROS Production and OA Pathogenesis.

Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family proteins regulate transcription and recognize lysine residues in histones. Selective BET inhibitors targeting one domain have attracted attention because they maintain normal physiological activities, whereas pan (nonselective) BET inhibitors do not. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disorder characterized by cartilage degeneration for which no treatment currently exists.

Fucoxanthin Suppresses NF-κB, JNK, and p38-Associated MMP Expression in Arthritis Pathogenesis via Antioxidant Activity.

is a highly nutritious marine microalga that has various applications in aquaculture and biotechnology. However, the effects of extract (TLE) on osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis remain unexplored. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of TLE on OA development.

Insights into the Pathogenesis and Development of Recombinant Japanese Encephalitis Virus Genotype 3 as a Vaccine.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes, has caused epidemics and severe neurological diseases in Asian countries. In this study, we developed a cDNA infectious clone, pBAC JYJEV3, of the JEV genotype 3 strain (EF571853.1) using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vector.

BRD2-specific inhibitor, BBC0403, inhibits the progression of osteoarthritis pathogenesis in osteoarthritis-induced C57BL/6 male mice.

Background And Purpose: The discovery of new bromo- and extra-terminal inhibitors presents new drugs to treat osteoarthritis (OA).

Experimental Approach: The new drug, BBC0403, was identified in the DNA-encoded library screening system by searching for compounds that target BRD (bromodomain-containing) proteins. The binding force with BRD proteins was evaluated using time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET) and binding kinetics assays.

Novel molecule BBC0901 inhibits BRD4 and acts as a catabolic regulator in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is induced by matrix degradation and inflammation mediated by bromo-domain-containing protein 4 (BRD4)-dependent catabolic factors. BRD4 acts as both a transcriptional regulator and an epigenetic reader. BBC0901 was identified as an inhibitor of BRD4 using a DNA-encoded library screening system.

Association of Blood Pressure With Cardio-Renal Events and Mortality in Type 2 DM: A National Health Insurance Database.

Context: The relationship of blood pressure (BP) with cardio-renal events and all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still controversial.

Objective: To investigate the optimal BP target in Korean individuals with T2DM.

Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance System database, data of individuals with T2DM who underwent regular health checks from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2007, were extracted (N = 1 800 073).

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor promotes axonal regeneration and the motor function recovery after sciatic nerve injury.

Peripheral nerve injuries have common clinical problems that are often accompanied by sensory and motor dysfunction and failure of axonal regeneration. Although various therapeutic approaches have been attempted, full functional recovery and axonal regeneration are rarely achieved in patients. In this study, we investigated the effects of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (AAV-MANF) or placental growth factor (AAV-PlGF) transduced into mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-MANF and hMSC-PlGF), which were then transplanted using human decellularized nerves (HDN) into sciatic nerve injury model.

Schisandra extract ameliorates arthritis pathogenesis by suppressing the NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways.

Schisandra chinensis is a medicinal plant used to treat various diseases. Extracts from the leaves or fruits of S. chinensis and their components are used in osteoarthritis (OA).

Blockade of Activin Receptor IIB Protects Arthritis Pathogenesis by Non-Amplification of Activin A-ACVR2B-NOX4 Axis Pathway.

Although activin receptor IIB (ACVR2B) is emerging as a novel pathogenic receptor, its ligand and assembled components (or assembly) are totally unknown in the context of osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. The present results suggest that upregulation of ACVR2B and its assembly could affect osteoarthritic cartilage destruction. It is shown that the ACVR2B ligand, activin A, regulates catabolic factor expression through ACVR2B in OA development.

Molecular and microscopic identification of Eomarteilia granula infection in Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum off the south coast of Korea.

A report on the new species Eomarteilia (=Marteilia) granula infecting Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum from Japan in 2014 suggests the possibility of E. granula infecting other Manila clam populations in the Northwest Pacific region, including Korea. In this study, we report the first infections by E.

Induction of Nanog in neural progenitor cells for adaptive regeneration of ischemic brain.

NANOG plays a key role in cellular plasticity and the acquisition of the stem cell state during reprogramming, but its role in the regenerative process remains unclear. Here, we show that the induction of NANOG in neuronal cells is necessary for the physiological initiation of neuronal regeneration in response to ischemic stress. Specifically, we found that NANOG was preferentially expressed in undifferentiated neuronal cells, and forced expression of Nanog in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) promoted their self-renewing expansion both in ex-vivo slice cultures and in vitro limiting dilution analysis.

Risk of malignancy in kidney transplant recipients: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: Post-transplant malignancy is major morbidity complicated in kidney transplantation (KT). In Korea, a few studies have investigated the sex- and age-dependent risk for post-transplant malignancy among KT recipients on a large scale.

Methods: We utilized a national health insurance database in Korea to investigate the relative risk of post-transplant malignancy in 12,634 KT recipients between 2007 and 2017.

Effects of positive end-expiratory pressure on pulmonary atelectasis after paediatric laparoscopic surgery as assessed by ultrasound: A randomised controlled study.

Introduction: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) following alveolar recruitment manoeuvre (RM) can effectively prevent anaesthesia-induced atelectasis in children. We aimed to evaluate the individual effect of PEEP following RM on atelectasis at the end of laparoscopic surgery in infants and small children.

Methods: Children undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair aged 5 weeks to 2 years were randomly allocated to either the PEEP or control group.

Treatment outcome following the transition to adult epilepsy care in childhood-onset epilepsy.

Introduction: Transition from pediatric to adult epilepsy care in patients with childhood-onset epilepsy can be challenging, and several aspects should be considered, including comorbidities, achieving social milestones, and adjustment of anti-seizure medications (ASMs). However, there is limited information regarding the treatment outcome following the transition to adult epilepsy care in childhood-onset epilepsy.

Materials And Methods: We performed a 13-year retrospective study of patients with childhood-onset epilepsy who had been transferred to our adult epilepsy clinic.

Synthesis of Novel ()-3-(1-Aminoethyl)-8-pyrimidinyl-2-phenylisoquinolin-1(2)-ones by Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling and Their Cell Toxicity Activities.

A series of ()-3-(1-aminoethyl)-8-pyrimidinyl-2-phenylisoquinoline-1(2)-ones - was synthesized in 40-98% yield through Suzuki-Miyaura coupling using Pd(PPh)Cl, Sphos, and KCO in THF/HO mixed solvent. All newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for cell viability (IC) against MDA-MB-231, HeLa, and HepG2 cells. The antitumor activities of - were improved when various pyrimidine motifs were introduced at position C-8 of the isoquinolinone ring.

Effects of spawning stress on the immune capacity of blood cockle Tegillarca granosa occurring on the south coast of Korea.

Spawning in marine bivalves is a great energy-demanding process, and it often results in lethal and sublethal stresses during the post-spawning period, including depressed immune capacity. The blood cockle Tegillarca granosa (Linnaeus, 1758) distributes widely in silty-mud tidal flats on the south coast of Korea, and they spawn in late summer. To understand the impacts of spawning on immune parameters, we analyzed the total hemocyte count (THC), hemocyte mortality, phagocytosis capacity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of T.

Cardiac effects of rapid intravenous loading of lacosamide in patients with epilepsy.

Background: Lacosamide (LCM) is a new antiseizure medication, and intravenous (IV) loading of LCM is recently used against status epilepticus. IV loading of LCM is usually well-tolerated; however, there are concerns about LCM-induced serious adverse cardiac events. This study was aimed at investigating whether rapid IV loading of LCM is associated with adverse cardiac or hemodynamic events in cases of epilepsy emergencies in real-world settings.

Usefulness of extended-release topiramate in patients with epilepsy: A two-year retention study.

What Is Known And Objective: Extended-release topiramate (TPM-XR) was recently approved for the treatment of epilepsy, but there is only limited real-world information on the clinical usefulness of TPM-XR in epilepsy patients. We investigated the usefulness of TPM-XR in clinical practice by analysing the retention of TPM-XR in adult epilepsy patients.

Methods: We performed a single-centre retrospective study covering two years.

Quality of Recovery of Patients Who Underwent Curative Pancreatectomy: Comparison of Total Intravenous Anesthesia Versus Inhalation Anesthesia Using the QOR-40 Questionnaire.

Background: There has been increasing attention on the subjective recovery of patients undergoing cancer surgery. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and inhaled anesthesia with volatile anesthetics (INHA) are safe and common anesthetic techniques. Currently, TIVA and INHA have only been compared for less invasive and less complex surgeries.