3D keloid spheroid model: Development and application for personalized drug response prediction.

Research on keloid is limited by the lack of proper in vitro and animal model reflecting in vivo status. Based on heterogeneity of keloid and important role of endothelial cells in its pathogenesis, a novel 3D in vitro keloid spheroid prepared with keloid fibroblasts and endothelial cells was evaluated in this study. Commercial cell lines of keloid fibroblasts and endothelial cells were used at various cellular ratios to generate keloid spheroids to determine the optimal condition.

Comparative Spatial Transcriptomic and Single-Cell Analyses of Human Nail Units and Hair Follicles Show Transcriptional Similarities between the Onychodermis and Follicular Dermal Papilla.

The nail unit and hair follicle are both hard keratin-producing organs that share various biological features. In this study, we used digital spatial profiling and single-cell RNA sequencing to define a spatially resolved expression profile of the human nail unit and hair follicle. Our approach showed the presence of a nail-specific mesenchymal population called onychofibroblasts within the onychodermis.

Single-cell RNA sequencing of human nail unit defines RSPO4 onychofibroblasts and SPINK6 nail epithelium.

Research on human nail tissue has been limited by the restricted access to fresh specimen. Here, we studied transcriptome profiles of human nail units using polydactyly specimens. Single-cell RNAseq with 11,541 cells from 4 extra digits revealed nail-specific mesenchymal and epithelial cell populations, characterized by RSPO4 (major gene in congenital anonychia) and SPINK6, respectively.

Fetal Development of Fasciae around the Arm and Thigh Muscles: A Study Using Late Stage Fetuses.

To obtain a better understanding of multi-laminar deep fascia covering skeletal muscles, we examined nondecalcified histological sections of the arm and thigh of 20 human fetuses aged 25-33 weeks. Morphologies of the fasciae varied between sites and specimens, but the initial morphology was most likely to be a thin and loose sheet on the external surface of the muscles (fascia-1 or F1). When the F1 became wavy, thick and tight, it was detached from the muscle surface.

Coccygeal body revisited: An immunohistochemical study using donated elderly cadavers.

To describe the normal anatomy and histology of the adult coccygeal body (CB) and to discuss about the origin and function, using immunohistochemistry, we examined 29 CBs found in 32 elderly donated cadavers without macroscopic pathology in the pelvis. The CB was usually located in or near the anococcygeal ligaments. It was almost always composed of multiple masses or nodules of round glomus cells (smooth muscle actin or SMA++).

[The Influence of Subjective Health Status, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Social Support on Successful Aging in Middle-Aged Women].

Purpose: This study was done to investigate factors influencing successful aging in middle-aged women.

Methods: A convenience sample of 103 middle-aged women was selected from the community. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson correlations, Spearman correlations and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 22.

Human nasociliary nerve with special reference to its unique parasympathetic cutaneous innervation.

The frontal nerve is characterized by its great content of sympathetic nerve fibers in contrast to cutaneous branches of the maxillary and mandibular nerves. However, we needed to add information about composite fibers of cutaneous branches of the nasociliary nerve. Using cadaveric specimens from 20 donated cadavers (mean age, 85), we performed immunohistochemistry of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP).

Median Sacral Artery, Sympathetic Nerves, and the Coccygeal Body: A Study Using Serial Sections of Human Embryos and Fetuses.

To examine how the median sacral artery (MSA) is involved with the coccygeal body or glomus coccygeum, we studied serial frontal or sagittal sections of 14 embryos (approximately 5-6 weeks of gestation) and 12 fetuses (10-18 weeks). At five weeks, the caudal end of the dorsal aorta (i.e.

Significant Differences in Sympathetic Nerve Fiber Density Among the Facial Skin Nerves: A Histologic Study Using Human Cadaveric Specimens.

Sympathetic nerve fibers in the skin nerves are connected with vasomotor, thermoregulatory, sensory input modulatory, and immunologic events; however, to our knowledge, no histological information is available for skin nerves in the human face. Using specimens from 17 donated cadavers (mean age, 86 years), we measured a sectional area of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive fibers in (1) the frontal nerve (V1), (2) the infraorbital nerve (V2), (3) the mental nerve (V3), (4) the greater auricular nerve (C2), (5) the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN), and (6) the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve (VII). The V1, V2, and V3 were obtained at their entrances to the subcutaneous tissue from the bony canal or notch.

Distance between intramuscular nerve and artery in the extraocular muscles: a preliminary immunohistochemical study using elderly human cadavers.

Purpose: Extraocular muscles are quite different from skeletal muscles in muscle fiber type and nerve supply; the small motor unit may be the most well known. As the first step to understanding the nerve-artery relationship, in this study we measured the distance from the arteriole (25-50 μm in thickness) to the nerve terminal twigs in extraocular muscles.

Materials And Methods: With the aid of immunohistochemistry for nerves and arteries, we examined the arteriole-nerve distance at 10-15 sites in each of 68 extraocular muscles obtained from ten elderly cadavers.

Anterior Corticospinal Tract Revisited: A Study Using Human Fetuses.

In the human corticospinal tract (CST), the anterior CST is known to be much thinner than the lateral CST, but fetal development of the CST remains obscure. In this study, we examined horizontal histological sections of the cervical spinal cord from 50 midterm fetuses (crown-rump length, CRL, 70-150 mm; 12-18 weeks) as well as 15 late-stage fetuses (CRL 230-250 mm; 28-30 weeks). While the lateral CST appeared at 14-15 weeks in the cervical cord of the midterm fetuses, we found the anterior CST in only 3 fetuses: CRL 117 mm (15 weeks), and CRL 144 and 150 mm (18 weeks).

Speech privacy and annoyance considerations in the acoustic environment of passenger cars of high-speed trains.

It is necessary to consider not only annoyance of interior noises but also speech privacy to achieve acoustic comfort in a passenger car of a high-speed train because speech from other passengers can be annoying. This study aimed to explore an optimal acoustic environment to satisfy speech privacy and reduce annoyance in a passenger car. Two experiments were conducted using speech sources and compartment noise of a high speed train with varying speech-to-noise ratios (SNRA) and background noise levels (BNL).

Evaluation of road traffic noise abatement by vegetation treatment in a 1:10 urban scale model.

A 1:10 scale of a street canyon and courtyard was constructed to evaluate sound propagation when various vegetation treatments including trees, shrubs, vegetated facades, and green roofs were installed in the urban environment. Noise reductions in the street canyon and courtyard were measured for both single and combined vegetation treatments. Vegetated facades mitigated the overall noise level up to 1.

Topographical relationships of intramuscular nerves and vessels of the motor endplates in the thigh and gluteal regions of human fetuses: an immunohistochemical study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe topography of vessels and nerves in striated muscles to understand individual muscle function.

Materials And Methods: Immunohistochemistry for nerve and artery was used to examine the thigh and gluteal muscles of six human midterm fetuses.

Results: The supplying nerves often accompanied arteries along epimysium bundling muscle fibers as well as in the covering fascia surrounding the entire muscle mass.

The Filum Terminale Revisited: A Histological Study in Human Fetuses.

Previous studies have suggested that secondary neurulation provides no functional neurons but only the filum terminale. However, no studies have confirmed that the coccygeal and lower sacral nerves do not originate from the secondary neural tube but only from the primary tube. To obtain a better understanding of these relationships, we examined sagittal or frontal sections from 20 embryonic and fetal specimens ranging from 6 to 14 weeks of gestation.

Composite nerve fibers in the hypogastric and pelvic splanchnic nerves: an immunohistochemical study using elderly cadavers.

To determine the proportion of nerve fibers in the hypogastric nerve (HGN) and pelvic splanchnic nerve (PSN), small tissue strips of the HGN and PSN from 12 donated elderly cadavers were examined histologically. Immunohistochemistry for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was performed. More than 70% of fibers per bundle in the HGN were positive for TH at the level of the sacral promontory.

[Influence of Uncertainty and Uncertainty Appraisal on Self-management in Hemodialysis Patients].

Purpose: This study was done to examine the relation of uncertainty, uncertainty appraisal, and self-management in patients undergoing hemodialysis, and to identify factors influencing self-management.

Methods: A convenience sample of 92 patients receiving hemodialysis was selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and medical records.

Influence of wall scattering on the early fine structures of measured room impulse responses.

The effects of wall diffusing elements on sound-field diffuseness were investigated in a tenth-scale model hall and in a real recital hall. Acoustical measurements were carried out in both halls to measure the surface diffusivity of the lateral walls. In the scale model, the surfaces of the lateral walls and the soffits were covered with diffusers; in the recital hall, the front halves of both lateral walls were treated using reflective panels and absorptive materials.

Sensory pathways in the human embryonic spinal accessory nerve with special reference to the associated lower cranial nerve ganglia.

Background And Purpose: Muscles supplied by the spinal accessory nerve are particularly prone to the development of trigger points characteristic of myofascial pain. This study aimed to confirm sensory pathways in the spinal accessory nerve and to describe sensory ganglion cell distributions along the lower cranial nerve roots.

Methods: Using sagittal sections of ten human embryos at 6-7 weeks and horizontal sections of three 15- to 16-week-old embryos, we analyzed ganglion cell distributions along the lower cranial nerve roots, including the spinal accessory (XI) nerve.

The habenulo-interpeduncular and mammillothalamic tracts: early developed fiber tracts in the human fetal diencephalon.

Purpose: The habenulo-interpeduncular (HI) and mammillothalamic (MT) tracts are phylogenetically ancient. The clinical relevance of these tracts has recently received attention. In this work, we map the anatomy the developing HI and MT.

The role of diffusive architectural surfaces on auditory spatial discrimination in performance venues.

In musical or theatrical performance, some venues allow listeners to individually localize and segregate individual performers, while others produce a well blended ensemble sound. The room acoustic conditions that make this possible, and the psycho-acoustic effects at work are not fully understood. This research utilizes auralizations from measured and simulated performance venues to investigate spatial discrimination of multiple acoustic sources in rooms.

Effects of curcumin for preventing restenosis in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit iliac artery stent model.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the curcumin-coating stent (CCS) on the inhibition of restenosis in a rabbit iliac artery stent model.

Results: Curcumin, pigment naturally acquired from the rhizome of the plant curcuma longa, is known to have antiproliferative, antimigratory, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is still unclear that curcumin can inhibit neointimal proliferation of the injured vessel.

A new biodegradable crosslinked polyethylene oxide sulfide (PEOS) hydrogel for controlled drug release.

We developed a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based biodegradable hydrogel through disulfide crosslinking of polyethylene oxide sulfide (PEOS). The crosslinking rate was highly dependent on temperature, and incubation at about 40-50 degrees C was required for efficient crosslinking. The crosslinked PEOS hydrogel showed glutathione-dependent dissolution and corresponding controlled release of a model drug-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran-because the disulfide bond, the main linker, is selectively degraded in response to the high concentration of glutathione.

Combined administration of naked DNA vectors encoding VEGF and bFGF enhances tissue perfusion and arteriogenesis in ischemic hindlimb.

Few studies have examined in detail the combined effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene delivery on collateral development. Here, we evaluated the potential synergism of naked DNA vectors encoding VEGF and bFGF using a skeletal-muscle based ex vivo angiogenesis assay and compared tissue perfusion and limb loss in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia. In the ex vivo angiogenesis assay, the VEGF+bFGF combination group had a larger capillary sprouting area than those of the LacZ, VEGF, and bFGF groups.

[The determinants of adolescent smoking by gender and type of school in Korea].

Objectives: This study assessed the influences of various factors that are related to youth smoking such as gender, age and type of school, and we wanted to provide supporting data for tailored and effective policy initiatives to reduce adolescent smoking.

Methods: A self-report survey was conducted on 14,910 teen-age students who were selected based on the nationwide distribution of students in large and small cities and counties, the gender ratio of the students and the ratio of students attending various type of school at 38 middle and high schools in six representative areas of each province. The survey was handled and managed by a health education teacher at each school.