Efficacy of RCI001 as a Therapeutic Candidate in a Primary Sjögren Syndrome Mouse Model.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of RCI001 (RCI) in a mouse model of primary Sjögren syndrome.

Methods: Eight 12-week-old NOD.B10-H2b mice were used in this study.

Surface tracking integrated extended depth-of-field microscopy for rapid non-contact examination of conjunctival goblet cells in humans.

Conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs) are specialized epithelial cells playing key roles for ocular surface homeostasis, and their examination is important for diagnosing ocular surface diseases. Despite recent advancements in high-contrast CGC imaging for non-invasive examination, significant challenges remain for human applications. High-speed large-area imaging over the curved ocular surface is needed to assess statistically meaningful CGCs in the extensive human conjunctiva.

Toxicity and efficacy of type I interferons on the ocular surface: in vitro, animal, and clinical studies.

Purpose: To investigate the toxicity of type I interferons (IFNs) on the ocular surface and assess their efficacy in ocular surface tumors.

Methods: We examined the effects of IFN-α2a, IFN-α2b and IFN-β on corneal epithelial cells and stromal fibroblasts in vitro as well as the impact of IFN-α2a on the ocular surface in mice. Additionally, we analyzed the therapeutic and adverse effects of topically administered IFN-α2a and IFN-α2b in patients with ocular surface tumors.

Efficacy of RCI001 as a therapeutic candidate of dry eye disease in a modified mixed dry eye model.

Background: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of topical RCI001 (RCI) and compare its efficacy with that of 1% prednisolone acetate (PDE) and 5% Lifitegrast in a modified mixed dry eye disease (DED) model.

Methods: The environmental DED model was induced in BALB/c mice in a dry chamber with scopolamine. The eyes of the mice were treated topically with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), PDE, Lifitegrast or RCI twice daily for 1 week.

Exploratory Clinical Trial of a Depression Diagnostic Software That Integrates Stress Biomarkers and Composite Psychometrics.

Objective: This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of Minds.NAVI, a depression screening kit combining psychometric measures and stress hormone biomarkers, in a prospective clinical trial. The objective was to assess its potential as a depression screening tool and investigate the associations between psychological assessments, salivary hormone staging, and depression severity.

Splenocytes with fucosylation deficiency promote T cell proliferation and differentiation through thrombospondin-1 downregulation.

Fucosylation plays a critical role in cell-to-cell interactions and disease progression. However, the effects of fucosylation on splenocytes and their interactions with T cells remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the transcriptome profiles of splenocytes deficient in fucosyltransferase (FUT) 1, an enzyme that mediates fucosylation, and investigate their impact on the proliferation and differentiation of T cells.

Interferon-γ elicits the ocular surface pathology mimicking dry eye through direct modulation of resident corneal cells.

Despite accumulating evidence indicating a key role of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing immune cells in ocular infection and immunity, little is known about the direct effects of IFN-γ on resident corneal cells or on the ocular surface. Here, we report that IFN-γ impacts corneal stromal fibroblasts and epithelial cells to promote inflammation, opacification, and barrier disruption on the ocular surface, leading to dry eye. Our results demonstrated that IFN-γ dose-dependently induced cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production, and expression of major histocompatibility complex class II and CD40 in cultures of corneal stromal fibroblasts and epithelial cells while increasing myofibroblast differentiation of corneal stromal fibroblasts.

1,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid from Pseudognaphalium affine ameliorates dry eye disease via suppression of inflammation and protection of the ocular surface.

Purpose: Pseudognaphalium affine (P. affine), a medicinal plant, has long been used to treat various diseases due to its astringent and vulnerary effects. These therapeutic benefits are largely attributed to high contents of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, that have anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective activities.

Inflammation Confers Healing Advantage to Corneal Epithelium Following Subsequent Injury.

Recent evidence shows that epithelial stem/progenitor cells in barrier tissues such as the skin, airways and intestines retain a memory of previous injuries, which enables tissues to accelerate barrier restoration after subsequent injuries. The corneal epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea, is the frontline barrier for the eye and is maintained by epithelial stem/progenitor cells in the limbus. Herein, we provide evidence that inflammatory memory also exists in the cornea.

Virtual reality-based monitoring test for MCI: A multicenter feasibility study.

Objectives: As the significance of the early diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has emerged, it is necessary to develop corresponding screening tools with high ecological validity and feasible biomarkers. Virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive assessment program, which is close to the daily life of the older adults, can be suitable screening tools for MCI with ecological validity and accessibility. Meanwhile, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been observed at a low concentration in the older adults with dementia or cognitive decline, indicating its potential as a biomarker of MCI.

The Eyelid Meibomian Gland Deficiency in Fucosyltransferase 1 Knockout Mice.

To investigate the effect of fucosyltransferase (FUT) 1-mediated fucosylation on meibomian glands (MG), we first confirmed that FUT1 and its fucosylated products were expressed in the eyelid, conjunctiva and skin in wild-type (WT) mice, whereas their mRNA and protein levels were downregulated in Fut1 knock-out (KO) mice. We then evaluated age-dependent changes in the total and acinar areas of MG, meibocyte differentiation, lipid synthesis, and eyelid inflammation and oxidative stress in Fut1 KO and WT mice. Results show that both the total and acinar areas of MG were smaller in Fut1 KO mice than in WT mice in all evaluated age groups.

Ocular microbiota promotes pathological angiogenesis and inflammation in sterile injury-driven corneal neovascularization.

Microbiota promotes or inhibits the pathogenesis of a range of immune-mediated disorders. Although recent studies have elucidated the role of gut microbiota in ocular disease, the effect of ocular microbiota remains unclear. Herein, we explored the role of ocular commensal bacteria in non-infectious corneal inflammation and angiogenesis in a mouse model of suture-induced corneal neovascularization.

Modified Stage Grouping of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Involving the Same Side of the Diaphragm in the Rituximab Era.

Among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) involving the same side of the diaphragm, the prognostic implications of extranodal disease or its contiguity with the nodal lesion remain unclear. In this study, patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP whose disease was limited to the same side of the diaphragm were included. Survival was assessed by the presence, contiguity, and number of extranodal lesions.

Proteomics Analysis of Aqueous Humor and Rejected Graft in Pig-to-Non-Human Primate Corneal Xenotransplantation.

Although pig-to-non-human primate (NHP) corneal xenotransplantation has shown long-term graft survival, xenogeneic antigen-related immune responses are still stronger than allogeneic antigen-associated responses. Therefore, there is an unmet need to investigate major rejection pathways in corneal xenotransplantation, even with immunosuppression. This study aimed to identify biomarkers in aqueous humor for predicting rejection and to investigate rejection-related pathways in grafts from NHPs transplanted with porcine corneas following the administration of steroids combined with tacrolimus/rituximab.

A New Prognostic Index for Extranodal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma:Incorporation of Serum β-2 Microglobulin to PINK.

Purpose: Prognostic Index for Natural Killer Lymphoma (PINK) is the most widely accepted prognostic model for patients withextranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) treated with non-anthracycline-based therapy. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic implications of serum β-2 microglobulin (β2M) in the context of PINK and proposed a new prognostic model.

Materials And Methods: A total of 138 patients who were newly diagnosed with ENKTL and treated with non-anthracycline-based chemotherapy were identified.

Association between social phobia and the risk of arrhythmia using the Korean National Sample Cohort: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Social phobia shares symptoms with arrhythmias, such as palpitations and chest discomfort. However, it is unclear how social phobia is associated with the actual risk of arrhythmia. This study aimed to investigate whether social phobia is associated with the risk of arrhythmia using a nationally representative sample cohort.

The Link module of human TSG-6 (Link_TSG6) promotes wound healing, suppresses inflammation and improves glandular function in mouse models of Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: To investigate the potential of the Link_TSG6 polypeptide comprising the Link module of human TSG-6 (TNF-stimulated gene/protein-6) as a novel treatment for dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: We analyzed the therapeutic effects of topical application of Link_TSG6 in two murine models of DED, the NOD.B10.

Prognostic significance of serum β2-microglobulin levels in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified.

We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of serum β2-microglobulin in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS). A cohort study of PTCL-NOS patients ( = 147) was conducted. An elevated serum β2-microglobulin level was associated with the presence of previously identified predictors of a poor prognosis for PTCL-NOS.

Inhibition of Aberrant α(1,2)-Fucosylation at Ocular Surface Ameliorates Dry Eye Disease.

Fucosylation is involved in a wide range of biological processes from cellular adhesion to immune regulation. Although the upregulation of fucosylated glycans was reported in diseased corneas, its implication in ocular surface disorders remains largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the expression of a fucosylated glycan on the ocular surface in two mouse models of dry eye disease (DED), the NOD.

Pulse-Modulated Plasma Etching of Copper Thin Films via CH₃COOH/Ar.

Pulse-modulated plasma etching of copper masked using SIO₂ films was conducted via a CH₃COOH/Ar. The etch characteristics were examined under pulse-modulated plasma. As the duty ratio of pulse decreased and the frequency of pulse increased, the etch selectivity and etch profile were improved.