Impact of administration routes and dose frequency on the toxicology of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in mice model.

The increasing use of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines has raised concerns about their potential toxicological effects, necessitating further investigation to ensure their safety. To address this issue, we aimed to evaluate the toxicological effects of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine candidates formulated with four different types of lipid nanoparticles in ICR mice, focusing on repeated doses and administration routes. We conducted an extensive analysis in which mice received the mRNA vaccine candidates intramuscularly (50 μg/head) twice at 2-week intervals, followed by necropsy at 2 and 14 dpsi (days post-secondary injection).

Prognostic Value of Pentraxin3 Protein Expression in Human Malignancies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/objectives: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a member of the pentraxin superfamily, plays diverse roles in immunity and inflammation. Its dual role in tumorigenesis, exhibiting both protumoral and antitumoral effects, has been the subject of conflicting reports. High PTX3 expression levels in serum and tumor tissues have been associated with poor prognosis in various malignancies, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker.

Antigenicity evaluation of lac color and exploratory study for identifying potential biomarkers of anaphylaxis.

Background: Lac color, a natural red dye derived from the larvae of laccifer lacca kerr, is one of the most commonly used substances in food. To date, no studies have reported on the antigenicity of lac color and the other biomarkers that can determine anaphylactic reactions. To address this, we evaluated the antigenicity of lac color through active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in addition to identifying potential biomarkers performing exploratory studies.

Prognostic Significance of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Expression in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is an aggressive subtype of ovarian cancer. Recent advances have introduced prognostic markers and targeted therapies. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) has emerged as a potential biomarker for HGSOC, with implications for prognosis and targeted therapy eligibility; (2) Methods: A literature search was conducted on major databases, and extracted data were categorized and pooled.

A malignant proliferating trichilemmal cyst arising on the elbow of a man: A case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Trichilemmal cysts (TCs) are common benign cysts that form from the hair follicles in the skin. Proliferating trichilemmal cysts (PTCs) are rare types of TCs characterized by rapid cellular proliferation. Malignant transformation of PTC (MPTC) is a rare adnexal tumor that account for <0.

Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm: A Case Report.

Left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare heart anomaly caused by congenital dysplasia of the pectinate muscle or by an acquired pathological condition of the mitral valve or cardiac muscle. It is often incidentally discovered during chest CT or echocardiography as an abnormal dilatation of the LAA. LAAA is associated with life-threatening complications and most patients require surgical treatment.

Nonclinical safety evaluation of food colorant lac dye systematic toxicity profiling with assessment of antigenic potential.

Lac dye is a natural colorant derived mainly from the insect (Kerr) and has been used in food and beverage as a red-coloring additive. Despite its increasing use for human consumption as an alternative for allergy-associated cochineal, its toxicity profile remained incomplete to sufficiently assess its safety for the intended use. In this study, we evaluated systemic and genetic toxicity by performing acute and subacute oral toxicity studies in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using highly purified lac dye (LD) formulated in water and a battery of genotoxicity tests, respectively.

Efficacy and safety evaluation of black ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) extract (CJ EnerG): broad spectrum cytotoxic activity in human cancer cell lines and 28-day repeated oral toxicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.

GWAS and Post-GWAS High-Resolution Mapping Analyses Identify Strong Novel Candidate Genes Influencing the Fatty Acid Composition of the Muscle in Pigs.

Fatty acid (FA) composition is one of the most important parameters for the assessment of meat quality in pigs. The FA composition in pork can also affect human health. Our aim was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and positional candidate genes affecting the FA profile of the muscle in a large F2 intercross between Landrace and Korean native pigs comprising 1105 F2 progeny by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and post-GWAS high-resolution mapping analyses.

Diesel Exhaust Particulates Induce Neutrophilic Lung Inflammation by Modulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated CXCL1/KC Expression in Alveolar Macrophages.

Diesel exhaust particulates (DEP) have adverse effects on the respiratory system. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) abnormalities contribute to lung inflammation. However, the relationship between DEP exposure and ER stress in the respiratory immune system and especially the alveolar macrophages (AM) is poorly understood.

Macrophage-Inducible C-Type Lectin Signaling Exacerbates Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury by Promoting Kupffer Cell Activation in Mice.

Overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) has become one of the most frequent causes of acute liver failure. Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) acts as a key moderator in immune responses by recognizing spliceosome-associated protein 130 (SAP130), which is an endogenous ligand released by necrotic cells. This study aims to explore the function of Mincle in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.

In vivo and in vitro safety evaluation of fermented Citrus sunki peel extract: acute and 90-day repeated oral toxicity studies with genotoxicity assessment.

Background: Citrus sunki Hort. ex Tanaka peel has been traditionally used as an ingredient in folk medicine due to its therapeutic effects on promotion of splenic health and diuresis as well as relief of gastrointestinal symptoms. Although a growing interest in health-promoting natural products and the development of highly concentrated products have facilitated consumption of C.

Cortactin Interacts with Hepatitis C Virus Core and NS5A Proteins: Implications for Virion Assembly.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exploits cellular proteins to facilitate viral propagation. To identify the cellular factors involved in the HCV life cycle, we previously performed protein microarray assays using either HCV nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein or core protein as a probe. Interestingly, cellular cortactin strongly interacted with both NS5A and core.

Differential manifestation of ocular phenotypes in TALEN-mediated p19 knockout FVB/N and C57BL/6J mouse lines.

Background: p19, primarily known as a tumor suppressor, has also been reported to play an essential role in normal development of mouse eyes. Consistently, lack of p19 has been associated with ocular defects, but the mixed background of the knockout (KO) mouse strain used raised a concern on the accuracy of the phenotypes observed in association with the targeted gene due to genetic heterogeneity.

Object: We carried out a study to investigate into the effect of genetic background on the manifestation of p19 KO associated phenotypes.

Nonstructural NS5A Protein Regulates LIM and SH3 Domain Protein 1 to Promote Hepatitis C Virus Propagation.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) propagation is highly dependent on cellular proteins. To identify the host factors involved in HCV propagation, we previously performed protein microarray assays and identified the LIM and SH3 domain protein 1 (LASP-1) as an HCV NS5A-interacting partner. LASP-1 plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation, migration, and protein-protein interactions.

Proposed Modification of Staging for Distal Cholangiocarcinoma Based on the Lymph Node Ratio Using Korean Multicenter Database.

The 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) included a positive lymph node count (PLNC), but a comparison of the prognostic predictive power of PLNC and lymph node ratio (LNR) is still under debate. This study aimed to compare various staging models made by combining the abovementioned factors, identify the model with the best predictive power, and propose a modified staging system. We retrospectively reviewed 251 patients who underwent surgery for DCC at four centers.

Clinicopathologic analysis of intraductal papillary neoplasm of bile duct: Korean multicenter cohort study.

Background: IPNB is very rare disease and most previous studies on IPNB were case series with a small number due to low incidence. The aim of this study is to validate previously known clinicopathologic features of intraductal papillary neoplasm of bile duct (IPNB) based on the first largest multicenter cohort.

Methods: Among 587 patients previously diagnosed with IPNB and similar diseases from each center in Korea, 387 were included in this study after central pathologic review.

Fermented ginseng, GBCK25, ameliorates steatosis and inflammation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model.

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the chronic inflammatory liver diseases and a leading cause of advanced liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The main purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of GBCK25 fermented by GB-07 and pectinase, on NASH severity in mice.

Methods: Six-wk-old male mice were fed either a normal diet (ND) or a Western diet (WD) for 12 wks to induce NASH.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of causes hemolytic anemia with splenomegaly in C57BL/6 mice.

CD47 (integrin-associated protein), a multi-spanning transmembrane protein expressed in all cells including red blood cells (RBCs) and leukocytes, interacts with signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) on macrophages and thereby inhibits phagocytosis of RBCs. Recently, we generated a novel C57BL/6J knockout ( hereafter) mouse line by employing a CRISPR/Cas9 system at Center for Mouse Models of Human Disease, and here report their hematological phenotypes. On monitoring their birth and development, mice were born viable with a natural male-to-female sex ratio and normally developed from birth through puberty to adulthood without noticeable changes in growth, food/water intake compared to their age and sex-matched wild-type littermates up to 26 weeks.

Delayed formation of sterile abscess after zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture treatment with bioabsorbable plates.

We present a patient who showed a sterile abscess after facial bone fixation with bioabsorbable plates and screws. He had zygomaticomaxillary complex and periorbital fracture due to falling down. The displaced bones were treated by open reduction and internal fixation successfully using bioabsorbable plate system.

Evaluation of immunomodulatory effects of zearalenone in mice.

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species. The toxicity of ZEA has been evaluated for reproductive and developmental effects; however, there is little evidence about its acute toxicity or general immunotoxicity. In the present study, immune regulatory functions were investigated in mice that had been exposed to ZEA (5 or 20 mg/kg BW) daily for 14 days.