Expansion microscopy of axonemal dyneins in islet primary cilia.

Primary cilia are sensory organelles that mediate critical cellular functions yet are difficult to visualize because of their small size and low abundance. Expansion microscopy (ExM) is an imaging method that physically expands biological specimens using a swellable hydrogel, facilitating downstream imaging of small cellular structures. In this study, we apply ExM with confocal imaging to probe axonemal dynein expression in murine and human pancreatic islets.

Fluorescence imaging of beta cell primary cilia.

Primary cilia are slender cell-surface organelles that project into the intercellular space. In pancreatic beta cells, primary cilia coordinate a variety of cell responses including GPCR signaling, calcium influx, and insulin secretion, along with likely many underappreciated roles in islet development and differentiation. To study cilia function in islet biology, direct visualization of primary cilia by microscopic methods is often a necessary first step.

Islet primary cilia motility controls insulin secretion.

Primary cilia are specialized cell-surface organelles that mediate sensory perception and, in contrast to motile cilia and flagella, are thought to lack motility function. Here, we show that primary cilia in human and mouse pancreatic islets exhibit movement that is required for glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Islet primary cilia contain motor proteins conserved from those found in classic motile cilia, and their three-dimensional motion is dynein-driven and dependent on adenosine 5'-triphosphate and glucose metabolism.

Cilia Action in Islets: Lessons From Mouse Models.

Primary cilia as a signaling organelle have garnered recent attention as a regulator of pancreatic islet function. These rod-like sensors exist on all major islet endocrine cell types and transduce a variety of external cues, while dysregulation of cilia function contributes to the development of diabetes. The complex role of islet primary cilia has been examined using genetic deletion targeting various components of cilia.

Multi-scale causality analysis between COVID-19 cases and mobility level using ensemble empirical mode decomposition and causal decomposition.

The global spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the world in many ways. Due to the communicable nature of the disease, it is difficult to investigate the causal reason for the epidemic's spread sufficiently. This study comprehensively investigates the causal relationship between the spread of COVID-19 and mobility level on a multi time-scale and its influencing factors, by using ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and the causal decomposition approach.

Primary cilia control glucose homeostasis via islet paracrine interactions.

Pancreatic islets regulate glucose homeostasis through coordinated actions of hormone-secreting cells. What underlies the function of the islet as a unit is the close approximation and communication among heterogeneous cell populations, but the structural mediators of islet cellular cross talk remain incompletely characterized. We generated mice specifically lacking β-cell primary cilia, a cellular organelle that has been implicated in regulating insulin secretion, and found that the β-cell cilia are required for glucose sensing, calcium influx, insulin secretion, and cross regulation of α- and δ-cells.

Glutamate decarboxylase 67 contributes to compensatory insulin secretion in aged pancreatic islets.

Pancreatic islets play an essential role in regulating blood glucose levels. Age-dependent development of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance results in hyperglycemia, which in turn stimulates insulin synthesis and secretion from aged islets, to fulfill the increased demand for insulin. However, the mechanism underlying enhanced insulin secretion remains unknown.

Effect of young exosomes injected in aged mice.

Introduction: Exosomes, nanosized extracellular vesicles, are known to circulate through the blood stream to transfer molecular signals from tissue to tissue.

Methods: To determine whether exosomes affect aging in animals, we primarily identified the changes in exosomal miRNA contents during the aging process. In exosomes from 12-month-old mice, mmu-miR-126-5p and mmu-miR-466c-5p levels were decreased and mmu-miR-184-3p and mmu-miR-200b-5p levels were increased significantly compared with those of 3-month-old mice.

Enhanced Therapeutic Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Using Surface-Modified Nanoporous Acupuncture Needles.

Acupuncture originated within the auspices of Oriental medicine, and today is used as an alternative method for treating various diseases and symptoms. The physiological mechanisms of acupuncture appear to involve the release of endogenous opiates and neurotransmitters, with the signals mediating through electrical stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS). Earlier we reported a nanoporous stainless steel acupuncture needle with enhanced therapeutic properties, evaluated by electrophysiological and behavioral responses in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Reverse Expression of Aging-Associated Molecules through Transfection of miRNAs to Aged Mice.

Molecular changes during aging have been studied to understand the mechanism of aging progress. Herein, changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression in the whole blood of mice were studied to systemically reverse aging and propose them as non-invasive biomarkers. Through next-generation sequencing analysis, we selected 27 differentially expressed miRNAs during aging.

Oncologic safety of breast-conserving surgery compared to mastectomy in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer.

Background: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with large tumors shrunk by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) remains controversial. We investigated oncologic outcomes of BCS in patients receiving NCT to treat locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).

Methods: We reviewed 1,994 patients who underwent surgery with/without NCT.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with cytologically proven node-positive breast cancer at diagnosis.

Background: The performance of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) was investigated in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).

Methods: After NCT of 178 patients with cytology-proven axillary/supraclavicular nodes metastasis at the time of diagnosis, SLNB using radioisotope was performed including completion node dissection between 2008 and 2011. The detection rate, sensitivity, false negative rate (FNR), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of SLNB were analyzed.

Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1 (HIPK1) expression in breast cancer tissues.

Objective: This study investigated the incidence and clinical significance of homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1 expression in breast cancer patients.

Methods: We investigated immunohistochemical homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1 expression from tissue microarrays of 1032 patients. The association of homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1 expression pattern, clinicopathologic factors and survival outcome was evaluated.

Oncologic Outcomes of a Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy for Colon Cancer: Results of a 3-Year Follow-up.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the oncologic outcomes of a laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy for the treatment of colon cancer and compare the results with those of previous randomized trials.

Methods: From June 2006, to December 2008, 156 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with a curative intent for colon cancer were evaluated. The clinicopatholgic outcomes and the oncologic outcomes were evaluated retrospectively by using electronic medical records.

Heat stimulation on the skin for medical treatment: can it be controlled?

Objectives: It has become increasingly important for evidence-based medicine to have a proper control for randomized-controlled trials. However, appropriately controlling manual therapies such as moxibustion has proved challenging. Our team designed a novel device based on sensory illusion, and tested its feasibility.

Eupatilin, a dietary flavonoid, induces G2/M cell cycle arrest in human endometrial cancer cells.

This study is the first to investigate the antiproliferative effect of eupatilin in human endometrial cancer cells. Eupatilin, a naturally occurring flavonoid isolated from Artemisia princeps, has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we investigated the potential effect of eupatilin on cell growth and its molecular mechanism of action in human endometrial cancer cells.

Dangguijakyak-san, a medicinal herbal formula, protects dopaminergic neurons from 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity.

Aim Of The Study: Dangguijakyak-san (DJS) is a multi-herbal formula that has long been widely used in traditional Oriental medicine to treat gynecologic disorders, including neurological symptoms. Recent clinical and experimental studies have reported aging and anti-neurodegenerative effects of DJS. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of DJS on dopaminergic (DA) neurons damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

Protective effect of Cyperi rhizoma against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal damage.

Cyperi rhizoma, the rhizome of Cyperus rotundus L. (Family Cyperaceae), is a well-known functional food and traditional herbal medicine in Korea. It has been reported that Cyperi rhizoma has antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities that play a major role in protection of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD).

Therapeutic effects of Chiljehyangbuhwan on primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: This clinical study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of an oriental herbal medicine native to Korea, Chiljehyangbuhwan, in treating primary dysmenorrhea.

Design And Setting: A total of 100 primary dysmenorrhea patients who visited Kyung Hee University Korean Oriental Medicine Hospital between July 19 2004 and August 27 2004 were recruited. Secondary or drug-related dysmenorrhea was screened out through interviews and examination.