Enlightening the Immune Mechanism of the Abscopal Effect in a Murine HCC Model and Overcoming the Late Resistance With Anti-PD-L1.

Purpose: The establishment of a preclinical model of the abscopal effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and evaluation of whether the hypofractionated radiation therapy (RT) multitumor Hepa1-6 mouse HCC model could be used to suppress nonradiated tumor mass was performed in this study.

Methods And Materials: Hepa1-6 mouse liver cancer cell lines were used to form tumors. Immunogenicity was analyzed using ELISpot and immune cell labeled antibody.

C1-2 Pedicle Screw Fixation for Ponticulus Posticus and Duplication of Vertebral Artery: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

We previously introduced C1 pedicle screw placement to treat C1-2 pathology in a patient with normal vertebral artery anatomy.1 However, we should prepare to meet various anatomic variations. Ponticulus posticus is a bony prominence arising from the posterior arch or the superior articulating process of the atlas that completely or partially encircles the vertebral artery.

Glutamate in Male and Female Sexual Behavior: Receptors, Transporters, and Steroid Independence.

The survival of animal species predicates on the success of sexual reproduction. Neurotransmitters play an integral role in the expression of these sexual behaviors in the brain. Here, we review the role of glutamate in sexual behavior in rodents and non-rodent species for both males and females.

Aging effects on fractionation and speciation of redox-sensitive metals in artificially contaminated soil.

Artificially contaminated soil is often used in laboratory experiments as a substitute for actual field contaminated soils. In the preparation and use of laboratory contaminated soils, questions remain as to how much and how long metals remain in labile form and in their oxidation state during the contamination process. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine if the speciation of added contaminants can be retained in the original form and to observe the change in lability of each element with aging time.

Cervical Alignment Following Posterior Cervical Fusion Surgery: Cervical Pedicle Screw Versus Lateral Mass Screw Fixation.

Study Design: Retrospective comparative study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare cervical sagittal alignment after posterior fusion surgery with lateral mass screw (LMS) and cervical pedicle screw (CPS) fixation.

Summary Of Background Data: LMS fixation in the subaxial cervical spine has become the preferred method of posterior cervical fusion.

Retrospective review of 108 breast reconstructions using the round block technique after breast-conserving surgery: Indications, complications, and outcomes.

Background: Several oncoplastic approaches have been implemented in recent years to enhance cosmetic results and to reduce complications. The round block technique is a volume displacement technique for breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). However, its indications are currently limited according to tumor location, and its cosmetic results and complications have not been clearly established.

Microsurgical Free Tissue Options for Fingertip Reconstruction.

Fingertip injuries occur commonly owing to trauma in everyday life. Performing amputation or stump revision for a fingertip injury can make it possible to quickly return to daily life, but causes functional and cosmetic problems. We believe that free flaps are the ideal way to minimize donor site morbidity and provide satisfactory reconstruction.

The association of circulating kynurenine, a tryptophan metabolite, with frailty in older adults.

Despite the accumulating evidence from and animal experiments supporting the role of kynurenine (a tryptophan metabolite) in a number of degenerative age-related changes, the relationship between kynurenine and frailty in older adults is not well understood. We collected blood samples from 73 participants who underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment, measuring kynurenine levels using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We assessed the phenotypic frailty and the deficit accumulation frailty index using widely validated approaches proposed by Fried et al.

Posterior Facetectomy with Fusion Using a Pedicle Screw for Parallel-shaped Cervical Foraminal Stenosis.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of posterior facetectomy with fusion using pedicle screw (PF using FPS) for severe cervical foraminal stenosis of parallel shape.

Methods: Patients (n=8) with 1- or 2-level parallel-shaped cervical foraminal stenosis who underwent posterior facetectomy with fusion using cervical pedicle screw between March 2012 and August 2016 were enrolled. Patients were followed up immediately postoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Freehand Placement of the C1 Pedicle Screw Using Direct Visualization of the Pedicle Anatomy and Serial Dilatation.

Objective: We designed a method for inserting C1 pedicle screws using the direct visualization technique of the pedicle and serial dilatation technique to reduce complications and malposition of screw, and assessed the accuracy of this method.

Methods: Free-hand C1 pedicle screw insertion using the direct visualization technique of the pedicle and serial dilatation technique was performed on 5 consecutive patients with C1-2 instability at a single institute from March to December 2018. The method involved protecting the vertebral artery (VA) and C1 root using the Penfield No.

Analysis of the risk factors of acute kidney injury after total hip or knee replacement surgery.

Backgruound: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), which increases the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality, poses a major concern to surgeons. We conducted this study to analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence of AKI after orthopedic surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective study that included 351 patients who underwent total hip or knee replacement surgery at Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital between January 2012 and December 2016.

Lack of association between circulating apelin level and frailty-related functional parameters in older adults: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Apelin, an active endogenous peptide, has been recently receiving great attention as a promising target for antiaging intervention, primarily based on results from genetically altered mice. To validate previous experimental data and investigate the possible role of apelin in humans, in this study, we examined serum apelin level in relation to frailty and its associated parameters in a cohort of ambulatory, community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 80 participants who underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment, and apelin level was measured using an enzyme immunoassay kit.

Topical nerve growth factor attenuates streptozotocin-induced diabetic cataracts via polyol pathway inhibition and Na/K-ATPase upregulation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and how topical nerve growth factor (NGF) attenuates streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cataracts in vivo. Rats were randomly divided into three groups, including the normal control rat group, STZ-induced diabetic cataract rat group (DM group), and STZ-induced diabetic cataract rat group treated with 200 μg/mL recombinant rat β-NGF (DM + NGF group). Cataract formation was evaluated by portable slit lamp biomicroscopy following pupil dilation at 8 weeks.

A comparison of the effects and usability of two exoskeletal robots with and without robotic actuation for upper extremity rehabilitation among patients with stroke: a single-blinded randomised controlled pilot study.

Background: Robotic rehabilitation of stroke survivors with upper extremity dysfunction may yield different outcomes depending on the robot type. Considering that excessive dependence on assistive force by robotic actuators may interfere with the patient's active learning and participation, we hypothesised that the use of an active-assistive robot with robotic actuators does not lead to a more meaningful difference with respect to upper extremity rehabilitation than the use of a passive robot without robotic actuators. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the differences in the clinical and kinematic outcomes between active-assistive and passive robotic rehabilitation among stroke survivors.

Database: web application for visualization of the cumulated RNAseq data against the salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Background: Plants have adapted to survive under adverse conditions or exploit favorable conditions in response to their environment as sessile creatures. In a way of plant adaptation, plant hormones have been evolved to efficiently use limited resources. Plant hormones including auxin, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and ethylene have been studied to reveal their role in plant adaptation against their environment by phenotypic observation with experimental design such as mutation on hormone receptors and treatment / non-treatment of plant hormones along with other environmental conditions.

Lower Serum n-3 Fatty Acid Level in Older Adults with Sarcopenia.

The n-3 fatty acid (FA) has evoked considerable interest as a modifiable factor for maintenance of muscle health owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. To clarify this possibility, we investigated circulating n-3 FA level, a reliable biomarker of FA status in the body, in relation to sarcopenia in a cohort of Asian older adults. Blood samples were collected from 125 participants who underwent comprehensive assessment of muscle mass and function.

Induces Immunogenic Cell Death and Enhances Antitumor Immunogenic Response in Breast Cancer.

has been widely used as a traditional medicine in East Asia. Its effects against breast cancer have been reported previously. However, whether -induced breast cancer cell death is immunogenic remains unelucidated.

The development of numerous radiation-induced cavernous malformations in a germ cell tumor patient: A case report.

Radiation-induced cavernous malformations (RICMs) are most commonly reported in young patients who have previously received radiotherapy. Here, we report a case of a patient with a germ cell tumor who was treated with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and then incidentally found to have numerous RICMs. A 31-year-old male visited the hospital for a testicular mass.

Comparison of Early Surgical Treatment With Conservative Treatment of Incomplete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Without Major Fracture or Dislocation in Patients With Pre-existing Cervical Spinal Stenosis.

Study Design: This was a retrospective comparative study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of early surgical treatment (<24 h) and conservative treatment of incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without major fracture or dislocation in patients with pre-existing cervical spinal canal stenosis (CSCS).

Summary Of Background Data: The relative benefits of surgery, especially early surgical treatment, and conservative treatment for CSCI without major fracture or dislocation in patients with pre-existing CSCS remain unclear.

Metachronous Sporadic Sextuple Primary Malignancies Including Bilateral Breast Cancers.

Multiple primary malignancies are defined as the presence of more than one malignant neoplasm with a distinct histology occurring at different sites in the same individual. They are classified as synchronous or metachronous according to the diagnostic time interval of different malignancies. Diagnosis of multiple primary malignancies should avoid misclassification from multifocal/multicentric tumors or recurrent/metastatic lesions.

Analysis of Research Topics and Trends in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing to Improve Its International Influence.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze articles published in the Journal of the Korean Academy of Nursing (JKAN) between 2010 and 2019, along with those published in three international nursing journals, to improve JKAN's international reputation.

Methods: The overall characteristics of JKAN's published papers and keywords, study participants, types of nursing interventions and dependent variables, citations, and cited journals were analyzed. Additionally, the keywords and study designs, publication-related characteristics, journal impact factors (JIF), and Eigenfactor scores of International Journal of Nursing Studies (IJNS), International Nursing Review (INR), Nursing & Health Sciences (NHS), and JKAN were analyzed and compared.

Correlation between Three-Dimensional Volume and Malignant Potential of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs).

Background And Purpose: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare diseases of the gastrointestinal tract but they are the most common gastrointestinal tumors of mesenchymal origin. Since most GISTs have malignant potential, their probability of malignant progression must be evaluated. This study was conducted to examine the correlation between three-dimensional GIST volume measured by CT and malignant potential.

Site-Specific Lipidation of a Small-Sized Protein Binder Enhances the Antitumor Activity through Extended Blood Half-Life.

Protein and peptide therapeutics tend to have a short blood circulation time mainly caused by rapid clearance in kidney, leading to a low therapeutic efficacy. Here, we demonstrate that the antitumor activity of a small-sized protein binder can be significantly enhanced by prolonged blood half-life through site-specific lipidation. An unnatural amino acid was genetically incorporated into a specific site with the highest accessibility in a human interleukin-6 (IL-6)-targeting protein binder with a size of 30.

Efficacy and Safety of DWJ1252 Compared With Gasmotin in the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Active-controlled Study.

Background/aims: Prokinetics such as mosapride citrate CR (conventional-release; Gasmotin) are commonly used in functional dyspepsia (FD). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-a-day mosapride citrate SR (DWJ1252), a sustained-release formulation of mosapride citrate, compared with mosapride citrate CR 3 times a day, in patients with FD.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, non-inferiority study, 119 patients with FD (by the Rome III criteria, 60 for mosapride citrate SR and 59 for mosapride citrate CR) were randomly allocated to mosapride citrate SR once daily or mosapride citrate CR thrice daily for 4 weeks in 16 medical institutions.