Effect of Flowable Thrombin-Containing Collagen-Based Hemostatic Matrix for Preventing Pancreatic Fistula after Pancreatectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a flowable hemostatic matrix, and their effects for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatectomy.

Methods: This was a randomized, clinical, single-center, single-blind (participant), non-inferiority, phase IV, and parallel-group trial. The primary endpoint was the incidence of POPF.

Long-term reversal of diabetes by subcutaneous transplantation of pancreatic islet cells and adipose-derived stem cell sheet using surface-immobilized heparin and engineered collagen scaffold.

Objective: Esterified collagen (EC) can be functionalized with heparin to enhance islet graft stability. Growth factors secreted by human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) can bind efficiently to EC-heparin (EC-Hep), which enhances revascularization and cell protection. We investigated the therapeutic potential of a combined heparin-esterified collagen-hADSC (HCA)-islet sheet to enhance islet engraftment.

Evaluation of a novel collagen hemostatic matrix in a porcine heart and cardiac vessel injury model.

Background: Flowable hemostatic agents may be more advantageous than nonflowable hemostats, as they have capability to cover irregular wound surfaces, fill deep lesions, and easily remove excess materials with irrigation. In this study, we evaluated the hemostatic efficacy of the collagen hemostatic matrix (CHM) compared to FloSeal via incisions in the heart and cardiac vessels in a porcine model.

Methods: In each of the two female pigs, a total of two incisions were made in seven locations: right atrium (RA), right ventricle (RV), and cardiac vessels, such as the innominate vein (IV), superior vena cava (SVC), pulmonary artery (PA), coronary artery (CA), and aorta.

Study on formation of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from different roasting condition in coffee.

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) are organic, carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds that originate from the reaction of PAHs with NO and OH radicals. In this study, an analytical method was developed, for the determination of seven nitro-PAHs and the method was applied to quantify the nitro-PAHs, in coffee model systems, prepared with coffee beans produced from three distinct locations and under various roasting conditions. Also, experiments were performed to study the effect of adding various amino acids on the formation of nitro-PAHs.

Early and Marked Enhancement of New Bone Quality by Alendronate-Loaded Collagen Sponge Combined with Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 at High Dose: A Long-Term Study in Calvarial Defects in a Rat Model.

Choice of appropriate biomaterial is a key factor for the success of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 therapy. Inspired by osteogenic cell-differentiating and osteoclast-suppressing capabilities of alendronate (ALN), we manufactured a composite type of ALN-loaded collagen sponge (ALN-CS), which controls the early detrimental effect of high-dose rhBMP-2. This study aimed to evaluate ALN-CS as a high-dose rhBMP-2 carrier by investigating its initial biomolecular effect and efficacy on intramembranous ossification at 1, 4, 8, and 24 weeks using a rat calvarial defect model compared with nonloaded CS.

The effect of ionized collagen for preventing postoperative adhesion.

Background: Collagen exhibits ideal multifactorial action for preventing tissue adhesions. This study examined the efficacy of ionized collagen in preventing tissue adhesion after surgical procedures.

Materials And Method: Ionized collagen was prepared using the esterification technique of natural collagen.

Is Heparin Effective for the Controlled Delivery of High-Dose Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2?

Sustained release of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 by heparin-contained biomaterials is advantageous for bone tissue regeneration using low-dose BMP-2. However, its effect with high-dose BMP-2 is still unclear and should be clarified considering the clinical use of a high dose of BMP-2 in spine and oral surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a heparin-conjugated collagen sponge (HCS) with high-dose BMP-2 delivery by investigating in vivo initial osteogenic regulation and bone healing over 12 weeks in comparison with that of an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS).

Collagen esterification enhances the function and survival of pancreatic β cells in 2D and 3D culture systems.

Collagen, one of the most important components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), may play a role in the survival of pancreatic islet cells. In addition, chemical modifications that change the collagen charge profile to a net positive charge by esterification have been shown to increase the adhesion and proliferation of various cell types. The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare the effects of native collagen (NC) and esterified collagen (EC) on β cell function and survival.

Fermented Prunus mume with probiotics inhibits 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and 12-o-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate induced skin carcinogenesis through alleviation of oxidative stress.

Maesil (Prunus mume Siebold and Zucc.), a member of the genus Rosaceae, has been reported to have antioxidative effects, as well as anticancer influence in many cancer lines. Thus, this present study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of fermented Maesil with probiotics against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis via its antioxidative potential.

Mannitol production by Leuconostoc citreum KACC 91348P isolated from Kimchi.

Leuconostoc genus, which comprise heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria, reduces fructose to mannitol by recycling intracellular NADH. To evaluate the mannitol productivities of different Leuconostoc species, 5 stock cultures and 4 newly isolated strains were cultivated in MRS and simplified media containing glucose and fructose (1:2 ratio). Among them, L.

Inhibitory effects of interleukin-10 plasmid DNA on the development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Interleukin (IL)-10 exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects by suppression of both T-help (Th) 1 and Th2 cells. Previous studies have reported that IL-10 can ameliorate various inflammatory disorders. The present study was performed to examine whether IL-10 plasmid DNA could suppress development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice, as an initial step towards the development of an appliance for use in dogs with AD.

Dietary supplementation with a probiotic fermented four-herb combination enhances immune activity in broiler chicks and increases survivability against Salmonella Gallinarum in experimentally infected broiler chicks.

Herbs including Curcuma longa, Houttuynia cordata, Prunus mume and Rubus coreanus have potential immune enhancing and antimicrobial effects. Probiotics also have antibacterial effects, and some are important in regulating the immune system. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the immune enhancing effects of a probiotic fermented four-herb combination (PFH) in broiler chicks and to demonstrate the prophylactic effect of PFH against Salmonella Gallinarum in experimentally infected broiler chicks as an initial step towards the development of feed supplements for promotion of immune activity and disease prevention.

Immune-enhancing effect of fermented Maesil (Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc.) with probiotics against Bordetella bronchiseptica in mice.

Maesil (Prunus mume) has long been used as a traditional drug and healthy food in East Asian countries. It possesses a number of beneficial biological activities including potential antimicrobial effects against pathogens. Probiotics also have antibacterial effects.

Dietary aluminosilicate supplement enhances immune activity in mice and reinforces clearance of porcine circovirus type 2 in experimentally infected pigs.

Aluminosilicate is the major component of clay minerals such as zeolite, bentonite and clinoptilolite. The minerals possess a number of beneficial activities, especially in regulating the immune system. The aims of the present study were to evaluate immune enhancing effects of dietary aluminosilicate supplement (DAS) in mice, and to demonstrate clearance effects of DAS against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in experimentally infected pigs as an initial step towards the development of an antibiotic substitute for use in pigs.

Four glucosyltransferases from rice: cDNA cloning, expression, and characterization.

Four UDP-dependent glucosyltransferase (UGT) genes, UGT706C1, UGT706D1, UGT707A3, and UGT709A4 were cloned from rice, expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified to homogeneity. In order to find out whether these enzymes could use flavonoids as glucose acceptors, apigenin, daidzein, genistein, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin, and quercetin were used as potential glucose acceptors. UGT706C1 and UGT707A3 could use kaempferol and quercetin as glucose acceptors and the major glycosylation position was the hydroxyl group of carbon 3 based on the comparison of HPLC retention times, UV spectra, and NMR spectra with those of corresponding authentic flavonoid 3-O-glucosides.

Characterization of flavonoid 7-O-glucosyltransferase from Arabidopsis thaliana.

Most flavonoids found in plants exist as glycosides, and glycosylation status has a wide range of effects on flavonoid solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Glycosylation of flavonoids is mediated by Family 1 glycosyltransferases (UGTs), which use UDP-sugars, such as UDP-glucose, as the glycosyl donor. AtGT-2, a UGT from Arabidopsis thaliana, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a gluthatione S-transferase fusion protein.

Glycosylation of flavonoids with a glycosyltransferase from Bacillus cereus.

Microbial glycosyltransferases can convert many small lipophilic compounds such as phenolics, terpenoids, cyanohydrins and alkaloids into glycons using uridine-diphosphate-activated sugars. The main chemical functions of glycosylation processes are stabilization, detoxification and solubilization of the substrates. The gene encoding the UDP-glycosyltransferase from Bacillus cereus, BcGT-1, was cloned by PCR and sequenced.

Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of a glycosyltransferase from rice.

Secondary plant metabolites undergo several modification reactions, including glycosylation. Glycosylation, which is mediated by UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT), plays a role in the storage of secondary metabolites and in defending plants against stress. In this study, we cloned one of the glycosyltransferases from rice, RUGT-5 resulting in 40-42% sequence homology with UGTs from other plants.