TGF-β and SHH Regulate Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation into Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells in Generating an In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) models are important tools for studying CNS drug delivery, brain development, and brain disease. In vitro BBB models have been obtained from animals and immortalized cell lines; however, brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) derived from them have several limitations. Furthermore, obtaining mature brain microvascular endothelial-like cells (BME-like cells) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) with desirable properties for establishing BBB models has been challenging.

IL-17A and Th17 Cells Contribute to Endometrial Cell Survival by Inhibiting Apoptosis and NK Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity of Endometrial Cells via ERK1/2 Pathway.

Immune status including the immune cells and cytokine profiles has been implicated in the development of endometriosis. In this study, we analyzed Th17 cells and IL-17A in peritoneal fluid (PF) and endometrial tissues of patients with (n=10) and without (n=26) endometriosis. Our study has shown increased Th17 cell population and IL-17A level in PF with endometriosis patients.

Association of hormone therapy and changes of objective sleep quality in women of late menopausal transition with sleep disorder: a preliminary study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in objective sleep quality with hormone therapy (HT) in women with late menopausal transition.

Methods: Healthy midlife women with sleep difficulty who received HT were included. Those undergoing late menopausal transition were screened.

Visceral obesity as a risk factor of incisional hernia after single-port laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate associations between abdominal fat distribution (AFD) parameters and incisional hernia (IH) in patients who underwent transumbilical single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) for gynecological disease.

Methods: Medical records of 2116 patients who underwent SPLS for gynecological disease at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital between March 2014 and February 2021 were reviewed.

Ischemia-induced Netrin-4 promotes neovascularization through endothelial progenitor cell activation via Unc-5 Netrin receptor B.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) promote neovascularization and tissue repair by migrating to vascular injury sites; therefore, factors that enhance EPC homing to damaged tissues are of interest. Here, we provide evidence of the prominent role of the Netrin-4 (NTN4)-Unc-5 Netrin receptor B (UNC5B) axis in EPC-specific promotion of ischemic neovascularization. Our results showed that NTN4 promoted the proliferation, chemotactic migration, and paracrine effects of small EPCs (SEPCs) and significantly increased the incorporation of large EPCs (LEPCs) into tubule networks.

Two distinct cellular pathways leading to endothelial cell cytotoxicity by silica nanoparticle size.

Background: Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used for biosensing and diagnostics, and for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. Safety concerns about the biomedical and clinical applications of SiNPs have been raised, necessitating analysis of the effects of their intrinsic properties, such as sizes, shapes, and surface physicochemical characteristics, on human health to minimize risk in biomedical applications. In particular, SiNP size-associated toxicological effects, and the underlying molecular mechanisms in the vascular endothelium remain unclear.

Müllerian inhibiting substance/anti-Müllerian hormone type II receptor protein and mRNA expression in the healthy and cancerous endometria.

Müllerian inhibiting substance/anti-Müllerian hormone (MIS/AMH) is a regulator of the female reproductive system, an indicator of ovarian reserve and a growth inhibitor of Müllerian duct-derived tumors and . The objective of the present study was to analyze MIS/AMH type II receptor (MIS/AMHRII) protein and mRNA expression in healthy human endometria compared with patients with endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer, providing a foundation for MIS/AMH as a biological modifier for treatment of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. The present study included healthy endometrial tissues (n=20), simple endometrial hyperplasia tissues without atypia (n=17), complex endometrial hyperplasia tissues without atypia (n=24) and endometrial cancer tissues (n=8).

Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Clinical Factors that Affect Operative Times and Techniques to Overcome Difficulties.

Study Objective: To compare surgical outcomes of patients who underwent laparoendoscopic single-site total laparoscopic hysterectomy (LESS-TLH) with operative times < 150 minutes and ≥150 minutes to determine the clinical factors that influence operative times. We also describe techniques that help overcome difficulties involved in this procedure.

Design: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Graphene oxide induces apoptotic cell death in endothelial cells by activating autophagy via calcium-dependent phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases.

Unlabelled: Despite the rapid expansion of the biomedical applications of graphene oxide (GO), safety issues related to GO, particularly with regard to its effects on vascular endothelial cells (ECs), have been poorly evaluated. To explore possible GO-mediated vasculature cytotoxicity and determine lateral GO size relevance, we constructed four types of GO: micrometer-sized GO (MGO; 1089.9±135.

Decreased Cytotoxicity of Peripheral and Peritoneal Natural Killer Cell in Endometriosis.

Endometriosis causes significant chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility and affects 10% of all women. In endometriosis, ectopic endometrium surviving after retrograde menstruation exhibits an abnormal immune response characterized by increased levels of activated macrophages and inflammatory cytokines. Particularly, dysfunctional natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease by either facilitating or inhibiting the survival, implantation, and proliferation of endometrial cells.

Melissa Officinalis L. Extracts Protect Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis.

Background: We evaluated the protective effect of ALS-L1023, an extract of Melissa officinalis L. (Labiatae; lemon balm) against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells).

Methods: ARPE-19 cells were incubated with ALS-L1023 for 24 h and then treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Caffeine Intake Is Associated with Urinary Incontinence in Korean Postmenopausal Women: Results from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate whether caffeine intake is associated with urinary incontinence (UI) and quality of life (QOL) in Korean postmenopausal women.

Materials And Methods: We included 4,028 postmenopausal women who had participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (KNHANES IV). From the KNHANES questionnaire data, we ascertained the UI status of participants, defined as self-reported or medically diagnosed UI, and calculated their total daily caffeine intake through questions regarding the frequency of food consumption.

A Comparison of Single-, Two- and Three-Port Laparoscopic Myomectomy.

Background And Objective: A recent FDA safety communication has discouraged the use of a power morcellator for myoma extraction and has called for a change in surgical techniques for myomectomy. The objective of this study was to compare surgical outcomes of laparoscopic single-, two-, and conventional three-port myomectomy and to evaluate the feasibility of contained manual morcellation for uterine myoma.

Methods: This retrospective study was a review and analysis of data from 191 consecutive women who underwent single-, two-, or three-port myomectomy for the management of uterine myoma from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2014.

A comparison of postoperative pain after transumbilical single-port access and conventional three-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare postoperative pain between single-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (SPA-TLH) using a transumbilical single-port system and conventional multi (three)-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (MPA-TLH).

Material And Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 women who underwent SPA-TLH and MPA-TLH for benign gynecologic diseases between March 2014 and January 2015. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo SPA-TLH (n = 30) or MPA-TLH (n = 30).

Stimulation of angiogenesis and survival of endothelial cells by human monoclonal Tie2 receptor antibody.

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and its endothelium-specific receptor, tyrosine kinase with Ig and epidermal growth factor homology domain 2 (Tie2), play critical roles in vascular development. Although the Ang1/Tie2 system has been considered a promising target for therapeutic neovascularization, several imitations of large-scale production have hampered the development of recombinant Ang1 for therapeutics. In this study, we produced a fully human agonistic antibody against Tie2, designated 1-4h, and tested the applicability of 1-4h as an alternative to native Ang1 in therapeutic angiogenesis.

Extension of the in vivo half-life of endostatin and its improved anti-tumor activities upon fusion to a humanized antibody against tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 in a mouse model of human colorectal carcinoma.

Endostatin is an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor that exhibits potential anti-tumor efficacy in various preclinical animal models. However, its relatively short in vivo half-life and the long-term, frequent administration of high doses limit its widespread clinical use. In this study, we evaluated whether a fusion protein of murine endostatin (mEndo) to a humanized antibody against tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72), which is highly expressed in several human tumor tissues including colon cancer, can extend the serum half-life and improve the anti-tumor efficacy of endostatin by targeted delivery to the tumor mass.

Usefulness of CA125 in the differential diagnosis of uterine adenomyosis and myoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of CA125 levels in the differential diagnosis of adenomyosis and myoma. This has been addressed by few, if any, previous studies.

Study Design: Preoperative serum CA125 levels were measured in 2149 women who were diagnosed at total hysterectomy as having adenomyosis, myoma, endometriosis, and/or normal pelvis.

Effect of helixor A on natural killer cell activity in endometriosis.

Background And Aim: NK cells are one of the major immune cells in endometriosis pathogenesis. While previous clinical studies have shown that helixor A to be an effective treatment for endometriosis, little is known about its mechanism of action, or its relationship with immune cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of helixor A on Natural killer cell (NK cell) cytotoxicity in endometriosis

Materials And Methods: We performed an experimental study.

Abdominal, multi-port and single-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy: eleven-year trends comparison of surgical outcomes complications of 936 cases.

Purpose: To compare surgical outcomes and complications of 284 patients who had total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), 366 patients who had multi-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (MPA-TLH), and 286 patients who had single-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (SPA-TLH) using a transumbilical single-port system.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of women who underwent TAH, MPA-TLH, or SPA-TLH for benign gynecologic diseases at DaeJeon St. Mary's Hospital, between January 2003 and December 2013.

Surgical resolution of obstructive dyspareunia after traumatic pelvic injury.

As more of the patients with traumatic pelvic injuries survive, they desire an optimal quality of life, including normal sexual function, even after the most severe injuries. We present the case of a 31-year-old woman who had dyspareunia due to impaired vaginal penetration after severe pelvic injury. After excision of a disunited fragment of pelvic bone and an adhesion band at the vaginal wall, dyspareunia was considerably resolved and the patient resumed sexual function.

An increased level of IL-6 suppresses NK cell activity in peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis via regulation of SHP-2 expression.

Study Question: Is the decreased natural killer (NK) cell cytolytic activity in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of endometriosis patients due to primary cytokine activity?

Summary Answer: An increased level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the PF of patients with endometriosis suppresses NK cell cytolytic activity by down-regulating cytolytic granule components, such as granzyme B and perforin, through the modulation of Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP-2) expression.

What Is Already Known: Endometriosis is known to be related to a defect in NK cell cytolytic activity. Additionally, the levels of inflammatory cytokines are elevated in the PF of women with endometriosis.

Laparoscopic colposuspension to the Cooper's ligament after hysterectomy for uterovaginal prolapse.

Aim: The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic colposuspension to the Cooper's ligament after hysterectomy for uterovaginal prolapse.

Material And Methods: We performed chart reviews of 43 patients with uterovaginal prolapse who underwent laparoscopic colposuspension to the Cooper's ligament after hysterectomy at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea from 2003 to 2009.

A case of isolated congenital ductus arteriosus aneurysm detected by fetal echocardiography at 38 weeks of gestation.

A 30 year-old pregnant woman (G1P0) was diagnosed with fetal ductus arteriosus aneurysm (DAA) at 38 weeks of gestation. The three-vessel view of the heart and the sagittal view of the ductal arch showed a 12-mm fusiform dilatation of the ductus arteriosus. Turbulent flow was detected in it by color Doppler.