Optimal Computed Tomographic Arthrography Protocol for Stifle Ligamentous Structure and Menisci in Dogs.

This study aims to establish an optimized CTA protocol for qualitatively evaluating the ligamentous structures and menisci of the canine stifle. CTA of the stifle joint was conducted on six healthy beagle dogs. Each dog underwent a total of nine scans to evaluate various contrast protocols.

Herbal medicines for long COVID: A phase 2 pilot clinical study.

Background: Infections of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) can cause long-term effects known as long COVID. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a clinical study as well as the efficacy and safety of traditional East Asian herbal medicines in alleviating fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in patients with long COVID.

Methods: This prospective pilot study investigated the use of three types of herbal medicines, Bojungikgi-tang (BIT), Kyungok-go (KOG), and Cheonwangbosim-dan (CBD), for a 12-week period as potential treatments for fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in patients with long COVID.

Photonic control of ligand nanospacing in self-assembly regulates stem cell fate.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes dynamic inflation that dynamically changes ligand nanospacing but has not been explored. Here we utilize ECM-mimicking photocontrolled supramolecular ligand-tunable Azo self-assembly composed of azobenzene derivatives (Azo) stacked via cation-π interactions and stabilized with RGD ligand-bearing poly(acrylic acid). Near-infrared-upconverted-ultraviolet light induces -Azo-mediated inflation that suppresses cation-π interactions, thereby inflating liganded self-assembly.

Micromolding-Assisted Production of SERS-Active Microcylinders for Size- and Charge-Selective Molecular Detection.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an effective technique for amplifying the Raman signal of molecules by using metal nanostructures. However, these metal surfaces are susceptible to contamination by undesirable adhesives in complex mixtures, typically necessitating a time-consuming and costly sample pretreatment. In order to circumvent this, metal nanoparticles have been uniformly embedded within microgels by using microfluidics.

Identification of the Plant Family Caryophyllaceae in Korea Using DNA Barcoding.

Caryophyllaceae is a large angiosperm family, with many species being utilized as ornamental or medicinal plants in Korea, in addition to several endangered species that are managed by the government. In this study, we used DNA barcoding for the accurate identification of Korean Caryophyllaceae. A total of 78 taxa ( = 215) were sequenced based on three chloroplast regions (L, K, and A-H) and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS).

Effect of Sinapic Acid on Scopolamine-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in SD Rats.

The seriousness of the diseases caused by aging have recently gained attention. Alzheimer's disease (AD), a chronic neurodegenerative disease, accounts for 60-80% of senile dementia cases. Continuous research is being conducted on the cause of Alzheimer's disease, and it is believed to include complex factors, such as genetic factors, the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques, a tangle of tau protein, oxidative stress, cholinergic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and cell death.

Effects of various Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains on hairy root induction and analyses of primary and secondary metabolites in Ocimum basilicum.

The hairy root (HR) culture system is an excellent alternative strategy to the whole plant system for producing valuable compounds. However, selection of suitable strain for the successful induction of HR is an essential step for enhanced production of beneficial secondary metabolites. In this study, we examined the transformation efficiency of various strains (ATCC 13333, ATCC 15834, A4, R1000, R1200, and R1601) for transgenic HRs induction in .

Herbal Medicines for Post-Acute Sequelae (Fatigue or Cognitive Dysfunction) of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Phase 2 Pilot Clinical Study Protocol.

Long-term sequelae refer to persistent symptoms or signs for >6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most common symptoms of sequelae are fatigue and neuropsychiatric symptoms (concentration difficulty, amnesia, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, and depression). However, approved treatments have not been fully established.

Photoswitchable Microgels for Dynamic Macrophage Modulation.

Dynamic manipulation of supramolecular self-assembled structures is achieved irreversibly or under non-physiological conditions, thereby limiting their biomedical, environmental, and catalysis applicability. In this study, microgels composed of azobenzene derivatives stacked via π-cation and π-π interactions are developed that are electrostatically stabilized with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-bearing anionic polymers. Lateral swelling of RGD-bearing microgels occurs via cis-azobenzene formation mediated by near-infrared-light-upconverted ultraviolet light, which disrupts intermolecular interactions on the visible-light-absorbing upconversion-nanoparticle-coated materials.

Excited-State Intramolecular Hydrogen Transfer of Compact Molecules Controls Amyloid Aggregation Profiles.

Developing chemical methodologies to directly modify harmful biomolecules affords the mitigation of their toxicity by persistent changes in their properties and structures. Here we report compact photosensitizers composed of the anthraquinone () backbone that undergo excited-state intramolecular hydrogen transfer, effectively oxidize amyloidogenic peptides, and, subsequently, alter their aggregation pathways. Density functional theory calculations showed that the appropriate position of the hydroxyl groups in the backbone and the consequent intramolecular hydrogen transfer can facilitate the energy transfer to triplet oxygen.

Comparison of Outcomes of Multi-Level Anterior, Oblique, Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery : Impact on Global Sagittal Alignment.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF), and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in terms of global sagittal alignment.

Methods: From January 2007 to December 2019, 141 adult patients who underwent multilevel interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disorders were enrolled. Regarding the approach, patients were divided into the ALIF (n=23), OLIF (n=60), and TLIF (n=58) groups.

Effect of Dexmedetomidine Compared to Remifentanil During Bariatric Surgery on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: a Retrospective Study.

Purpose: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurs frequently after bariatric surgery and is a major cause of adverse outcomes. This retrospective study investigated whether opioid-restricted total intravenous anesthesia using dexmedetomidine as a substitute for remifentanil can reduce PONV in bariatric surgery.

Materials And Methods: The electronic medical records of adult patients who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery between January and December 2019 were reviewed.

Optimization of Fermentation Conditions of for Enhanced Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase.

In this study, the fermentation of Artemisia capillaris by probiotic Leuconostoc mesenteroides MKJW (MKJW) was optimized to increase the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory and antioxidant activities using the response surface method (RSM). The independent variables were the contents of A. capillaris, Gryllus bimaculatus, and yeast extract, while the dependent variables were AChE inhibitory activity, BuChE inhibitory activity, and antioxidant activities such as FRAP, reducing power, and DPPH radical scavenging ability.

Conformational and functional changes of the native neuropeptide somatostatin occur in the presence of copper and amyloid-β.

The progression of neurodegenerative disorders can lead to impaired neurotransmission; however, the role of pathogenic factors associated with these diseases and their impact on the structures and functions of neurotransmitters have not been clearly established. Here we report the discovery that conformational and functional changes of a native neuropeptide, somatostatin (SST), occur in the presence of copper ions, metal-free amyloid-β (Aβ) and metal-bound Aβ (metal-Aβ) found as pathological factors in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. These pathological elements induce the self-assembly of SST and, consequently, prevent it from binding to the receptor.

Melatonin reduces the endoplasmic reticulum stress and polyubiquitinated protein accumulation induced by repeated anesthesia exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been linked to anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity, but melatonin seems to play a protective role against ER stress. Synchronized Caenorhabditis elegans were exposed to isoflurane during the developmental period; melatonin treatment was used to evaluate its role in preventing the defective unfolded protein response (UPR) and ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD). The induced expression of hsp-4::GFP by isoflurane was attenuated in the isoflurane-melatonin group.

5-HT receptor antagonists decrease the prevalence of postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing orthopedic lower limb surgery.

Background: Delirium is an important postoperative complication. Recent research suggested that 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT) receptor antagonists may have clinical effect in the treatment and prevention of delirium. We investigated the association between 5-HT receptor antagonists and the occurrence of postoperative delirium (POD).

Wrinkle reduction using a Sasang constitutional medicine-based topical herbal cream in So-eum subjects: A split-face randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Background: Skin aging is caused by exogenous and endogenous factors and is commonly manifested as wrinkling, sagging, and looseness of the skin. The herbal extract including Roscoe, (Bunge) Kodiz, L., and (L.

Skimmed milk fermented by lactic acid bacteria inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes by downregulating PPARγ TNF-α induction .

The murine 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line is widely used as an model for adipogenesis because of its similarities to primary fat cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the intracellular mechanisms by which skimmed milk fermented by two lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and , inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Skimmed milk fermented by both LAB, but not non-fermented skimmed milk, significantly reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets and cellular triglycerides in a concentration-dependent manner.

Erratum: Clustering the Clinical Course of Chronic Urticaria Using a Longitudinal Database: Effects on Urticaria Remission.

This corrects the article on p. 390 in vol. 13, PMID: 33733635.

The role of neuropeptide somatostatin in the brain and its application in treating neurological disorders.

Somatostatin (SST) is a well-known neuropeptide that is expressed throughout the brain. In the cortex, SST is expressed in a subset of GABAergic neurons and is known as a protein marker of inhibitory interneurons. Recent studies have identified the key functions of SST in modulating cortical circuits in the brain and cognitive function.

Clustering the Clinical Course of Chronic Urticaria Using a Longitudinal Database: Effects on Urticaria Remission.

Purpose: Little is known about the clinical course of chronic urticaria (CU) and predictors of its prognosis. We evaluated CU patient clusters based on medication scores during the initial 3 months of treatment in an attempt to investigate time to remission and relapse rates for CU and to identify predictors for CU remission.

Methods: In total, 4,552 patients (57.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for cefaclor-induced immediate hypersensitivity: a retrospective observation at two university hospitals in Korea.

Background: Cefaclor, a second-generation oral cephalosporin, is widely prescribed to treat infectious diseases. Immediate hypersensitivity (HS) reactions to cefaclor have continuously been reported and are expected to increase with its greater use. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of immediate HS to cefaclor over the most recent 5 years.

Bioconversion Products of Whey by Lactic Acid Bacteria Exert Anti-Adipogenic Effect.

Microbial bioconversion using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) provides several human health benefits. Although whey and whey-derived bioactive compounds can contribute to an improvement in human health, the potential anti-obesity effect of whey bioconversion by LAB has not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate whether bioconversion of whey by KI31 and KI36 (KI31-W and KI36-W, respectively) inhibits 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation.