Therapeutic Potential of Combined 5% Lifitegrast and Tocopherol Eye Drops in Managing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Murine Dry Eye.

: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of combined 5% lifitegrast (LF) and tocopherol (TCP) eye drops in a murine experimental dry eye (EDE) model. Female C57BL/6 were divided into seven groups: untreated controls, EDE control, EDE + 0.05% cyclosporin A (CsA), EDE + tocopherol (TCP), EDE + 5% LF, EDE + 5% LF + TCP (once daily), and EDE + 5% LF + TCP (twice daily).

sp. nov., isolated from human epidermis.

Five pink-pigmented bacterial strains, isolated from human skin and classified within the genus , were examined. Among them, four were identified as , while strain OT10 was deemed to be a potential novel species. Strain OT10 exhibited characteristics, such as Gram-stain-negative, oxidase positive, motile, strictly aerobic and rod shaped.

Therapeutic Effects of Human Placental Extracts Eye Drops in Experimental Dry Eye and Alkali Burn.

To evaluate the efficacy of human placental extract (HPE) eye drops compared to that of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and human peripheral blood serum (HPBS) eye drops in a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE) and corneal alkali burns. EDE and alkali burn models were induced in C57BL/6 mice using desiccating stress and NaOH, respectively. In both the EDE and alkali burn models, treatment groups received CMC, HPBS, or HPE eye drops.

Association between diet quality and untreated dental caries: results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background/objectives: Few studies have provided evidence of the association between diet quality and dental caries. This study aimed to examine the association between diet quality and untreated dental caries in a Korean representative population.

Subjects/methods: The study population included a sample of 13,815 participants, aged ≥ 19 from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2013-2015.

Artificial Intelligence Model Assisting Thyroid Nodule Diagnosis and Management: A Multicenter Diagnostic Study.

Context: It is not clear how to integrate artificial intelligence (AI)-based models into diagnostic workflows.

Objective: To develop and validate a deep-learning-based AI model (AI-Thyroid) for thyroid cancer diagnosis, and to explore how this improves diagnostic performance.

Methods: The system was trained using 19 711 images of 6163 patients in a tertiary hospital (Ajou University Medical Center; AUMC).

Contrast-enhanced CT-based Radiomics for the Differentiation of Anaplastic or Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma from Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A Pilot Study.

Differential diagnosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma/poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (ATC/PDTC) from differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is crucial in patients with large thyroid malignancies. This study creates a predictive model using radiomics feature analysis to differentiate ATC/PDTC from DTC. We compared the clinicoradiological characteristics and radiomics features extracted from a volume of interest on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) between the groups.

Establishment of muscle mass-based indications for the cystatin C test in renal function evaluation.

Background: We aimed to suggest muscle mass-based criteria for using of the cystatin C test for the accurate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Materials And Methods: We recruited 138 Korean subjects and evaluated eGFRcr (derived from Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) based on creatinine) was compared to eGFRcys based on cystatin C as the reference value. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was used as representative of muscle mass.

Periodontal disease could be a potential risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An 11-year retrospective follow-up study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association of periodontal disease with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective follow-up study using the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort was performed from 2002 to 2015 in the Korean population. A total of 165,032 subjects were followed up for incident NAFLD during 11 years.

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor of the lung with cavitary change: A case report with 11-year preoperative follow-up.

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT) is a rare benign lung tumor characterized by ciliated columnar cells, mucous cells, and basal cells. Herein, we report a case of CMPT with 11 years of preoperative follow-up, depicting the natural course of the tumor and changes in computed tomography (CT) findings. A 39-year-old man had a 5-mm solid pulmonary nodule in the right lower lobe that had slowly grown and transformed into a thin-walled cavitary lesion.

Technical feasibility and efficacy of a standard needle magnetization system for ultrasound needle guidance in thyroid nodule-targeting punctures: a phantom study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of an ultrasound needle guidance system (NGS) based on standard needle magnetization in a phantom study of thyroid nodule (TN)-targeting punctures.

Methods: Six trainees and a staff radiologist performed TN-targeting punctures with or without the NGS in phantom models (group 1, experience <50 cases; group 2, experience ≥50 cases and <100 cases; group 3, experience ≥100 cases of TN-targeting punctures). The feasibility, technical success rate, number of punctures, and procedure time were recorded.

Protective efficacy of the recombinant lysozyme-PMAP36 fusion protein-inactivated Typhimurium vaccine candidate oral immunization in a murine model.

The aim of this study was to evaluate protective efficacy of Typhimurium ghost vaccine candidate lysed by the recombinant lysozyme-PMAP36 fusion protein oral immunization in a murine model. Sixty BALB/c mice were equally divided into 4 groups. Group A mice were inoculated with 20 μL of sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).

Development of a Reporter System Monitoring Regulated Intramembrane Proteolysis of the Transmembrane bZIP Transcription Factor ATF6α.

When endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions are perturbed, the ER induces several signaling pathways called unfolded protein response to reestablish ER homeostasis through three ER transmembrane proteins: inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Although it is important to measure the activity of ATF6 that can indicate the status of the ER, no specific cell-based reporter assay is currently available. Here, we report a new cell-based method for monitoring ER stress based on the cleavage of ATF6α by sequential actions of proteases at the Golgi apparatus during ER stress.

Protective efficacy of a vaccine using a -based delivery system expressing Omp3b, BCSP31, and SOD proteins against brucellosis in Korean black goats.

This study aimed to assess the protective efficacy of a novel vaccine formulation in goats. Twenty black goats were separated into 2 groups. Group A was injected with 3.

Protective efficacy of an inactivated vaccine candidate lysed by GI24 against brucellosis in Korean black goats.

The efficacy of GI24-lysed cells as a vaccine candidate against brucellosis in goats was evaluated on 2 groups of Korean black goats. Group A goats were immunized subcutaneously (SC) with sterile phosphate-buffered saline, whereas group B goats were immunized SC with approximately 3 × 10 lysed cells. Subcutaneous immunization with the lysed cells did not cause any negative impact on the overall clinical status, such as behavior and appetite, throughout the study period.

Yb,Er,Eu-codoped YVO material for bioimaging with dual mode excitation.

We propose an efficient bioimaging strategy using Yb,Er,Eu-triplet doped YVO nanoparticles which were synthesized with polymer as a template. The obtained particles possess nanoscale, uniform, and flexible excitation. The effect of Eu ions on the luminescence properties of YVO:Yb,Er,Eu was investigated.

Deguelin Analogue SH-1242 Inhibits Hsp90 Activity and Exerts Potent Anticancer Efficacy with Limited Neurotoxicity.

The Hsp90 facilitates proper folding of signaling proteins associated with cancer progression, gaining attention as a target for therapeutic intervention. The natural rotenoid deguelin was identified as an Hsp90 inhibitor, but concerns about neurotoxicity have limited prospects for clinical development. In this study, we report progress on deguelin analogues that address this limitation, focusing on the novel analogue SH-1242 as a candidate to broadly target human lung cancer cells, including those that are chemoresistant or harboring KRAS mutations.

Novel C6-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazinones as potential anti-cancer agents.

The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) is a membrane receptor tyrosine kinase over-expressed in a number of tumors. However, combating resistance is one of the main challenges in the currently available IGF-1R inhibitor-based cancer therapies. Increased Src activation has been reported to confer resistance to anti-IGF-1R therapeutics in various tumor cells.

A critical element of the light-induced quaternary structural changes in YtvA-LOV.

YtvA, a photosensory LOV (light-oxygen-voltage) protein from Bacillus subtilis, exists as a dimer that previously appeared to undergo surprisingly small structural changes after light illumination compared with other light-sensing proteins. However, we now report that light induces significant structural perturbations in a series of YtvA-LOV domain derivatives in which the Jα helix has been truncated or replaced. Results from native gel analysis showed significant mobility changes in these derivatives after light illumination; YtvA-LOV without the Jα helix dimerized in the dark state but existed as a monomer in the light state.

Light-regulated tetracycline binding to the Tet repressor.

Elucidation of the signal-transmission pathways between distant sites within proteins is of great importance in medical and bioengineering sciences. The use of optical methods to redesign protein functions is emerging as a general approach for the control of biological systems with high spatiotemporal precision. Here we report the detailed thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of novel chimeric light-regulated Tet repressor (TetR) switches in which light modulates the TetR function.

In vivo Investigation of Anti-diabetic Properties of Ripe Onion Juice in Normal and Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats.

The acute and subacute hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects of drinkable ripe onion juice (Commercial product name is "Black Onion Extract") were investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. For tests of acute and subacute hypoglycemic effects, ripe onion juice (5 and 15 mL/kg b.w.

Effects of tetramethylpyrazine on microglia activation in spinal cord compression injury of mice.

Secondary mechanisms, including inflammation and microglia activation, serve as targets for the development and application of pharmacological strategies in the management of spinal cord injury (SCI). Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an active ingredient of Ligusticum wallichii (chuanxiong), has shown anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects against SCI. However, it remains uncertain whether the inflammation-suppressive effects of TMP play a modulatory role over microglia activation in SCI.

Surface mapping of motor points in biceps brachii muscle.

Objective: To localize the site of motor points within human biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping using electrophysiological method.

Method: We recorded the compound muscle action potentials of each lattice of the biceps brachii in 40 healthy subjects. Standardized reference lines were made as the following: 1) a horizontal reference line (elbow crease) and 2) a vertical reference line connecting coracoid process and mid-point of the horizontal reference line.

An efficient method for the expression and reconstitution of thermostable Mn/Fe superoxide dismutase from Aeropyrum pernix K1.

The gene APE0743 encoding the superoxide dismutase (ApSOD) of a hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum pernix K1 was cloned and over-expressed as a GST fusion protein at a high level in Escherichia coli. The expressed protein was simply purified by the process of glutathione affinity chromatography and thrombin treatment. The ApSOD was a homodimer of 25 kDa subunits and a cambialistic SOD which was active with either Fe(II) or Mn(II) as a cofactor.

Association between periodontitis and hemorrhagic stroke among Koreans: a case-control study.

Background: Several studies suggested that periodontitis is a risk factor for stroke, but the relationship between periodontitis and hemorrhagic stroke has not been widely reported. This study aims to evaluate the association between periodontitis and hemorrhagic stroke and to identify the risk group for this association.

Methods: We recruited 165 patients who were diagnosed via computed tomography brain imaging as having had a hemorrhagic stroke and 214 non-stroke control subjects for a case-control study.

Regulation of interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-2 by Schizonepeta tenuifolia through differential effects on nuclear factor-kappaB, NFATc2 and STAT4/6.

Contact with antigen on T-cells is made via the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex plus CD28, resulting in the production of cytokines including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. In particular, dysregulation of IFN-gamma and IL-4 accounts in part for organ-specific autoimmune diseases, allergic inflammation and other chronic inflammatory disorders. The dried above-ground parts of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq are used for the treatment of common cold and skin rashes observed in allergic dermatitis, psoriasis and other dermatological disorders in oriental medicine.