Histone Lys demethylase KDM3C demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing NF-κB signaling and osteoclastogenesis.

Histone Lys-specific demethylases (KDMs) play a key role in many biological processes through epigenetic mechanisms. However, the role of KDMs in inflammatory responses to oral bacterial infection is poorly understood. Here, we show a novel regulatory role of KDM3C in inflammatory responses to oral bacterial infection.

Recent Progress in the Development of Poly(lactic--glycolic acid)-Based Nanostructures for Cancer Imaging and Therapy.

Diverse nanosystems for use in cancer imaging and therapy have been designed and their clinical applications have been assessed. Among a variety of materials available to fabricate nanosystems, poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) has been widely used due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. In order to provide tumor-targeting and diagnostic properties, PLGA or PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) can be modified with other functional materials.

Assessment of hepatic steatosis by using attenuation imaging: a quantitative, easy-to-perform ultrasound technique.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of attenuation imaging (ATI) in the detection of hepatic steatosis compared with a histopathology gold standard.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 108 consecutive patients (35 males; median age, 54.0 years) who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy for evaluation of diffuse liver disease between January 2018 and November 2018 in a tertiary academic center.

Preparation and evaluation of celecoxib-loaded proliposomes with high lipid content.

A novel proliposomal formulation for improved oral delivery of celecoxib (CXB) was developed using a solid dispersion technique. CXB, soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC), sorbitol, and poloxamer 188 were dissolved in a water/ethanol binary solvent system. Subsequent solvent-evaporation and lyophilization steps produced CXB-loaded proliposomes (CXBPLs) with high lipid content (as SPC, ≈20% [w/w]).

Development of sorafenib loaded nanoparticles to improve oral bioavailability using a quality by design approach.

Sorafenib, a potent anticancer drug, has low absorption in the gastrointestinal tract due to its poor aqueous solubility. The main purpose of this investigation was to design sorafenib nanoparticle using a newly developed technique, nanoparticulation using fat and supercritical fluid (NUFS™) to improve the absorption of sorafenib. The quality by design (QbD) tool was adopted to define the optimal formulation variables: hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30 (PVP), and poloxamer.

Functional Fragments of AIMP1-Derived Peptide (AdP) and Optimized Hydrosol for Their Topical Deposition by Box-Behnken Design.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 1 (AIMP1)-derived peptide (AdP) has been developed as a cosmeceutical ingredient for skin anti-aging given its fibroblast-activating (FA) and melanocyte-inhibiting (MI) functions. However, a suitable strategy for the topical delivery of AdP was required due to its low-permeable properties. In this study, FA and MI domains of AdP (FA-AdP and MI-AdP, respectively) were determined by functional domain mapping, where the activities of several fragments of AdP on fibroblast and melanocyte were tested, and a hydrosol-based topical delivery system for these AdP fragments was prepared.

Electrochemical Co-deposition of Polydopamine/Hyaluronic Acid for Anti-biofouling Bioelectrodes.

Bioelectrodes are key components of electronic devices that efficiently mediate electrical signals in biological systems. However, conventional bioelectrodes often undergo biofouling associated with non-specific proteins and cell adhesion on the electrode surfaces, which leads to seriously degraded electrical and/or electrochemical properties. Hence, a facile and effective method to modify the surface of bioelectrodes is required to introduce anti-biofouling properties and improve performance.

Limiting Neuronal Nogo Receptor 1 Signaling during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Preserves Axonal Transport and Abrogates Inflammatory Demyelination.

We previously identified that allele deletion limits the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by preserving axonal integrity. However, whether this favorable outcome observed in EAE is a consequence of an abrogated neuronal-specific pathophysiological mechanism, is yet to be defined. Here we show that, Cre-loxP-mediated neuron-specific deletion of preserved axonal integrity, whereas its re-expression in female mice potentiated EAE-axonopathy.

Addition of Reliability Measurement Index to Point Shear Wave Elastography: Prospective Validation via Diagnostic Performance and Reproducibility.

The clinical value of the reliability measurement index (RMI), newly added to point shear wave elastography (pSWE), was investigated. Forty-nine patients underwent both pSWE providing RMI (range: 0.0-1.

Prospective Evaluation of Hepatic Steatosis Using Ultrasound Attenuation Imaging in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Proton Density Fat Fraction as the Reference Standard.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of 2-D ultrasound attenuation imaging (ATI) for the assessment of hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic liver disease using magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) as the reference standard. We prospectively analyzed 87 patients with chronic liver disease who had reliable measurements at both ATI and MRI-PDFF. For the detection of hepatic steatosis of MRI-PDFF ≥5% and MRI-PDFF ≥10%, ATI measurements yielded areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.

Quantitative contrast-enhanced US helps differentiating neoplastic vs non-neoplastic gallbladder polyps.

Objectives: To differentiate between large (≥ 1 cm in diameter) gallbladder (GB) non-neoplastic and neoplastic polyps using quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) findings.

Methods: From September 2017 to May 2018, 29 patients (10 males; median age, 63 years) with GB polyps of ≥ 1 cm in diameter who were undergoing cholecystectomy were consecutively enrolled. All patients underwent preoperative conventional US and CEUS examinations.

Hydrogel Biomaterials for Stem Cell Microencapsulation.

Stem cell transplantation has been recognized as a promising strategy to induce the regeneration of injured and diseased tissues and sustain therapeutic molecules for prolonged periods in vivo. However, stem cell-based therapy is often ineffective due to low survival, poor engraftment, and a lack of site-specificity. Hydrogels can offer several advantages as cell delivery vehicles, including cell stabilization and the provision of tissue-like environments with specific cellular signals; however, the administration of bulk hydrogels is still not appropriate to obtain safe and effective outcomes.

A universal ultrasound diagnostic system developed to support urology and coloproctological applications.

In this study, we sought to describe a novel imaging apparatus that is lightweight, inexpensive, and highly effective for use in colorectal diagnostic and treatment settings. Typical probes for use in colorectal ultrasonic imaging applications are developed for surgeons to diagnose and stage rectal tumors and image the rectum and anus. Here we outline a new technique and use it for colorectal imaging in an animal.

Hyaluronan-Stabilized Redox-Sensitive Nanoassembly for Chemo-Gene Therapy and Dual T1/T2 MR Imaging in Drug-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells.

Tailoring combinatorial therapies along with real-time monitoring strategies has been the major focus of overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer. However, attempting to develop a multifunctional nanoplatform in a single construct leads to compromising therapeutic outcomes. Herein, we developed a simple, theranostic nanoassembly containing a hyaluronic acid-stabilized redox-sensitive (HART) polyethylenimine polyplex composed of a doxorubicin (DOX) intercalated Bcl-2 shRNA encoded plasmid along with a green-synthesized hausmannite (MnO) and hematite (FeO) nanoparticle (GMF).

Monolithic carbon xerogel with co-continuous hierarchical porosity one-step, template- and catalyst-free hydrothermal reaction with resorcinol and formaldehyde.

Monolithic carbon xerogel (MCX) with co-continuous hierarchical porosity was prepared a one-step, template- and catalyst-free hydrothermal polycondensation reaction with resorcinol (R), formaldehyde (F) and distilled water (W), followed by pyrolysis and CO activation. The reaction was carried out in a pressurized Teflon mold at 100 °C for 6 h, while F/R (2.2, 2.

Temperature-Related Summer Mortality Under Multiple Climate, Population, and Adaptation Scenarios.

Projections of the magnitude and pattern of possible health risks from climate change should be based on multiple climate and development scenarios to describe the range of uncertainties, to inform effective and efficient policies. For a better understanding of climate change-related risks in seven metropolitan cities of South Korea, we estimated temperature-related summer (June to August) mortality until 2100 using projected changes in climate, population, and adaptation. In addition, we extracted the variations in the mortality estimates associated with uncertainties in climate, population, and adaptation scenarios using 25 climate models, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.

Subacute toxicity and toxicokinetics study of DHP107, an oral paclitaxel formulation with once-weekly dosing in mice.

DHP107, an oral formulation of paclitaxel, is effectively and systemically absorbed in intestinal endothelial cells. Although the in vivo efficacy of DHP107 has been reported, the potential toxicity of DHP107 has not been evaluated. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity and toxicokinetics of DHP107 orally administered to ICR mice at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg via once-weekly dosing for six weeks.

Oral health status of the disabled compared with that of the non-disabled in Korea: A propensity score matching analysis.

Background: There are many types of disabilities, and each type has a variety related to socioeconomic factors. Such factors affect to many health problems of the disabled. However, surveys of the oral health status of the disabled in Korea are rare.

Antiobesity Effect of Franch. et Savet. Extract through Regulation of Adipogenesis and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways in 3T3-L1 Adipocyte and High-Fat Diet-Induced C57BL/6N Obese Mice.

Franch. et Savat. (AC) has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, arthralgia, and gastralgia.

Endoscopic closure of iatrogenic colon perforation using dual-channel endoscope with an endoloop and clips: methods and feasibility data (with videos).

Background: Colon perforation is the most serious complication associated with colonoscopic procedures. We performed a novel purse-string suture technique to close the iatrogenic colonic perforation using dual-channel endoscope with an endoloop and clips.

Methods: Iatrogenic colon perforations developed during diagnostic colonoscopy referred to a tertiary hospital over 10 years were considered for this endoscopic closure.

Nanodelivery systems for overcoming limited transportation of therapeutic molecules through the blood-brain barrier.

Due to the impermeable structure and barrier function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the delivery of therapeutic molecules into the CNS is extremely limited. Nanodelivery systems are regarded as the most effective and versatile carriers for the CNS, as they can transport cargo molecules across the BBB via various mechanisms. This review emphasizes the multi-functionalization strategies of nanodelivery systems and combinatorial approaches for the delivery of therapeutic drugs and genes into the CNS.

Investigating the sequence-dependent mechanical properties of DNA nicks for applications in twisted DNA nanostructure design.

DNA nick can be used as a design motif in programming the shape and reconfigurable deformation of synthetic DNA nanostructures, but its mechanical properties have rarely been systematically characterized at the level of base sequences. Here, we investigated sequence-dependent mechanical properties of DNA nicks through molecular dynamics simulation for a comprehensive set of distinct DNA oligomers constructed using all possible base-pair steps with and without a nick. We found that torsional rigidity was reduced by 28-82% at the nick depending on its sequence and location although bending and stretching rigidities remained similar to those of regular base-pair steps.

Surface Characterizations of Railway Electrical Wires Coated with Anti-Icing Mixtures of Ethylene Glycol or Glycerol with Tap Water.

Icing of railway contact wires in the cold climates of the USA, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea can cause significant problems and delays in the operation schedules of electric-powered trains and subway cars. As anti-icing methods, manual de-icing, contact-wire thermal running, resistive-wire-heating de-icing, and chemical de-icing have all been explored and tested. Among them, environmentally friendly chemical de-icing based on the same concept as that of automobileengine antifreezer can be practically effective for application to contact wires at railcar depots.

Studies on the effects of microencapsulated human mesenchymal stem cells in RGD-modified alginate on cardiomyocytes under oxidative stress conditions using in vitro biomimetic co-culture system.

Stem cell therapy has been recognized as a promising approach for myocardium regeneration post myocardial infarction (MI); however, it unfortunately often remains a challenge because of poor survival of transplanted cells and a lack of clear understanding of their interactions with host cells. High oxidative stress at heart tissues post MI is considered one of the important factors damaging transplanted cells and native cells/tissues. Here, we employed an in vitro co-culture system, capable of mimicking cases of stem cell transplantation into the myocardium presenting high oxidative stress, using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) encapsulated in alginate or cell interactive Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide-modified alginate micro-hydrogels.

A Reciprocal Role of the Smad4-Taz Axis in Osteogenesis and Adipogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into mature cells of various cell types. Although the differentiation process of MSCs requires lineage-specific transcription factors, the exact molecular mechanism that determines MSCs differentiation is not clearly addressed. Here, we demonstrate a Smad4-Taz axis as a new intrinsic regulator for adipo-osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and show that this function of Smad4 is independent of the transforming growth factor-β signal.