Modafinil exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects by upregulating adenosine A and A receptors.

Adenosine receptor (AR) suppresses inflammation and fibrosis by activating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling. We investigated whether altered AR expression contributes to the development of fibrotic diseases and whether AAR and AAR upregulation inhibits fibrotic responses. Primary human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) from normal (NHLFs) or patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (DHLF) were used for in vitro testing.

Development of Thiol-Ene Reaction-Based HA Hydrogel with Sustained Release of EGF for Enhanced Skin Wound Healing.

This study develops a novel drug delivery system using a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel for controlled release of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to enhance skin wound healing. Conventional hydrogel-based methods suffer from a burst release and limited drug delivery times. To address this, we employ bioconjugation to introduce an acrylate group to EGF, enabling chemical bonding to the HA hydrogel matrix through thiol-ene cross-linking.

Hyaluronic acid hydrogel for controlled release of heterobifunctional photocleavable linker-modified epidermal growth factor in wound healing.

Peptide and protein drugs, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), face challenges related to stability and bioavailability. Recently, hydrogels have emerged as promising carriers for these drugs. This study focuses on a light-responsive hydrogel-based drug delivery system for the controlled release of EGF in wound healing.

Isolation and Evaluation of the Antagonistic Activity of Rhizosphere Bacteria against Phytopathogenic fungi ().

, a perennial crop in the family, is one of Korea's representative forest medicinal plants. However, the growing area of has been reduced by plant disease and soil sickness caused by fusarium wilt. This study isolated rhizosphere bacteria from , and their antagonistic activity was evaluated against Particularly, four isolated strains, namely, PT1, ST7, ST8, and SP4, showed a significant antagonistic activity against .

The effect of training using an upper limb rehabilitation robot (HEXO-UR30A) in chronic stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Upper limb robotic rehabilitation can be beneficial to the patients when applied appropriately. HEXO-UR30A is a novel exoskeletal type upper limb rehabilitation robot that provides continuous passive motion to the shoulder joint.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of HEXO-UR30A on the patient's functional change, spasticity, and range of motion (ROM).

Neuroprotective Effect of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke.

The mechanism of the neuroprotective effect of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in vivo is unclear. We investigated whether the MIF promotes neurological recovery in an in vivo mouse model of ischemic stroke. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery was performed to make ischemic stroke mouse model.

Association of the presence of allergic disease with subsequent risk of liver cancer in a nationwide retrospective cohort among Koreans.

A number of studies have proposed an inverse association between allergic diseases and risk of cancer, but only a few studies have specifically investigated the risk of primary liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of allergic diseases with risk of primary liver cancer. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of the Korean National Health Insurance Service database consisted of 405,512 Korean adults ages 40 and above who underwent health screening before January 1st, 2005.

Patulous eustachian tube after balloon eustachian tuboplasty in a post-radiation patient.

Background: Balloon eustachian tuboplasty (BET) is a minimally invasive surgical treatment that is effective and safe for obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction. However, BET complications include excessive widening of the eustachian tube, causing a patulous eustachian tube (PET). Herein, we report a case of PET following BET in a patient who underwent radiation therapy and reviewed the literature on considerations for reducing complications after BET.

Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating SOCS1.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary type of liver cancer, is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths worldwide. HCC patients have poor prognosis due to intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major causes of various liver diseases including HCC.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of modafinil in nonalcoholic liver disease.

Small- and intermediate-conductance Ca-activated K channels, K2.3 and K3.1, are involved in cellular signaling processes associated with inflammation and fibrosis.

Immunogenicity of a new enhanced tetanus-reduced dose diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine against Bordetella pertussis in a murine model.

Background: The necessity of the tetanus-reduced dose diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine in adolescence and adults has been emphasized since the resurgence of small-scale pertussis in Korea and worldwide due to the waning effect of the vaccine and variant pathogenic stains in the late 1990s. GreenCross Pharma (GC Pharma), a Korean company, developed the Tdap vaccine GC3111 in 2010. Recently, they enhanced the vaccine, GC3111, produced previously in 2010 to reinforce the antibody response against filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA).

Determining the Optimal Administration Conditions under Which MIF Exerts Neuroprotective Effects by Inducing BDNF Expression and Inhibiting Apoptosis in an In Vitro Stroke Model.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) exerts neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and inducing the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, the optimal administration conditions of MIF are currently unknown. Here, we aimed to identify these conditions in an in vitro model.

Anti-Osteoporotic Effects of the Herbal Mixture of and In Vitro and In Vivo.

Osteoporosis is a porous bone disease caused by bone density loss, which increases the risk of fractures. (CO) and (AJ) have been used as traditional herbal medicine for various disorders in East Asia. Although the anti-osteoporotic effects of single extract of CO and AJ have already been reported, the synergistic effect of a combined mixture has not been studied.

Antiobesity Effects of Extract on 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and a High-Fat Diet-Induced Mouse Model.

Obesity is one of the most common metabolic diseases resulting in metabolic syndrome. In this study, we investigated the antiobesity effect of L. (GL) extract on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced mouse model.

Antiadipogenic Effects of Mixtures of and Extracts on 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and High-Fat Diet-Induced Mice.

Medicinal plants have been used worldwide as primary alternative healthcare supplements. (CO) and (RF) are traditional medicinal plants applied in East Asia to treat human diseases such as hepatitis, osteoporosis, oxidative stress and allergy. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-obesity effect of CO and RF on preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells in vitro and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice in vivo.

Altered Mitochondrial Functions and Morphologies in Epithelial Cells Are Associated With Pathogenesis of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

Purpose: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a complex inflammatory disease of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa. The disease is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, structural changes in the mitochondria, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This study investigated whether there are functional and morphological changes in the mitochondria in the epithelial cells of nasal polyps (NPs) and enterotoxin B (SEB)-stimulated nasal epithelial cells.

Survey of characteristics of exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke using discarded cigarette butts from Korean smokers.

Evaluating the characteristics of exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke is an essential field in tobacco research because of the large risk burden among smokers. Detailed evaluation of the complex factors pertaining to the exposure of smokers to mainstream cigarette smoke was attempted by analysis of discarded cigarette butts. A total of 5475 samples of discarded cigarette butts was collected to investigate the exposure characteristics in relation to Korean smokers.

Internalization and Transportation of Endothelial Cell Surface K2.3 and K3.1 in Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia.

Altered redox state modulates the expression levels of endothelial K2.3 and K3.1 (Ks) in normal pregnancy (NP) and preeclampsia (PE), thereby regulating vascular contractility.

Factors Associated with the Prognosis after Operation in Children with Recurrent Intermittent Exotropia.

Background: To describe factors affecting the prognosis after operation for recurrent intermittent exotropia (X[T]) in children.

Methods: Clinical records of 50 patients who underwent operation for recurrent X(T) by a single surgeon were reviewed. The age at diagnosis of X(T), and first and second operations, deviation angle at distance and near, surgical method, concurrent vertical strabismus, stereoacuity, and Worth's Four Dot (W4D) examination before reoperation were analyzed, along with the postoperative deviation angle.

Comparative analysis of sublingual immunotherapy medicines for adherence and clinical outcomes.

Objective: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been considered as an effective and safe alternative to the subcutaneous route. However, different modalities and administration methods may lead to significant changes in their adherence and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare the adherence, efficacy, and side effects of SLIT medicines: SLITone, Lais, and Staloral.

Development of Optic Disc Torsion in Children.

Purpose: To document the development of disc torsion.

Methods: Consecutive disc photographs obtained at an interval of at least 1 year were reviewed retrospectively in 173 eyes of 173 Korean children. The angle of the vertical disc axis (AVDA) was measured in each fundus photograph with the fovea-disc center axis set at 0°.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting anti-pertussis toxin antibody in mouse.

Purpose: Although the DTaP and Tdap vaccines used to prevent pertussis have been used for a long time, there is no standard method for measuring pertussis antigens. Therefore, this preliminary study was conducted to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method using an animal model for measuring antibodies against pertussis toxin, the most important pertussis pathogenic antigen, in the sera of vaccinated mice.

Materials And Methods: Tohama phase I was cultured for 24-30 hours, and then pertussis toxin was purified from the culture medium by chromatography.