Malvidin-3-O-Glucoside Mitigates α-Syn and MPTP Co-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Microglial HMC3 Cells.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a widespread age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of an aggregated protein, α-synuclein (α-syn), which is encoded by the gene and localized to presynaptic terminals in a normal human brain. The α-syn aggregation is induced by the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mitochondrial neurotoxin and is therefore used to mimic PD-like pathology in various in vitro and in vivo models. However, in vitro PD-like pathology using α-syn and MPTP in human microglial cells has not yet been reported.

Targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 7 in macrophages as a therapeutic strategy to mitigate myocardial infarction-induced inflammation.

Myocardial infarction (MI), a major form of coronary artery disease (CAD), triggers a severe inflammatory response in the heart, resulting in increased cell death and adverse ventricular remodeling. Despite treatment advancements, MI remains a significant risk factor for heart failure, underscoring the necessity for a more in-depth exploration of immune cell mechanisms. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 7 (PCSK7), expressed in various tissues and immune cells, has been implicated in cardiovascular disease, yet its specific role in cardiac immune cells remains poorly understood.

Peroxiredoxin 3 Deficiency Exacerbates DSS-Induced Acute Colitis via Exosomal miR-1260b-Mediated Barrier Disruption and Proinflammatory Signaling.

Peroxiredoxin3 (Prdx3) is an intracellular antioxidant enzyme that is specifically localized in mitochondria and protects against oxidative stress by removing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). The intestinal epithelium provides a physical and biochemical barrier that segregates host tissues from commensal bacteria to maintain intestinal homeostasis. An imbalance between the cellular antioxidant defense system and oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Diffusion-Weighted MR Neurography with Unidirectional Motion-Probing Gradient to Evaluate Lumbar Nerve Roots at 1.5T MR.

Purpose: Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of diffusion-weighted MR neurography (DW MRN) for assessing nerve roots. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of DW MRN with a unidirectional motion-probing gradient (MPG) for the lumbar nerve roots at 1.5T MR.

Evaluation of changes in the clinical benefits of oncology drugs over time following reimbursement using the ASCO-VF and the ESMO-MCBS.

Purpose: This study aims to estimate changes in the value of oncology drugs over time from initial data of the reimbursement decisions to subsequent publications in Korea, using two value frameworks.

Methods: We retrieved primary publications assessed for reimbursement between 2007 and July 2021 from the decision documents of Health Insurance Review and Assessment and subsequent publications made available following reimbursement decision from ClinicalTrials.Gov and PubMed databases.

Metabolomics and miRNA profiling reveals feature of gallbladder cancer-derived biliary extracellular vesicles.

Background: Although there are several studies in the development of various human cancers, the role of exosomes is poorly understood in the progression of gallbladder cancer. This study aims to characterize the metabolic changes occurring in exosomes obtained from patients with gallbladder cancer compared with those from other gallbladder disease groups.

Methods: Biliary exosomes were isolated from healthy donors (n = 3) and from patients with gallbladder cancer (n = 3), gallbladder polyps (n = 4), or cholecystitis (n = 3) using a validated exosome isolation kit.

Current Status of the Pediatric Palliative Care Pilot Project in South Korea Based on the Experience of a Single Center.

Purpose: We evaluated the status of patients enrolled in South Korea's pediatric palliative care pilot project based on the experience of a single center. This study examined factors related to end-of-life services and differences in medical costs.

Methods: The medical records of 120 patients referred by a pediatric palliative care team were analyzed retrospectively.

Imaging Findings of Adenocarcinoma Arising from Lingual Foregut Duplication Cyst.

Unlabelled: Lingual foregut duplication cysts are rare developmental anomalies with varied symptoms, and adenocarcinomas may develop from them. Radiological evaluations, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, can help diagnose these lesions and determine their extent. Abnormal enhancement should raise the suspicion of malignancy of a lingual foregut duplication cyst.

Nutrient-Dependent Mitochondrial Fission Enhances Osteoblast Function.

Background: The bone synthesizing function of osteoblasts (OBs) is a highly demanding energy process that requires nutrients. However, how nutrient availability affects OBs behavior and bone mineralization remain to be fully understood.

Methods: MC3T3-E1 cell line and primary OBs (OBs) cultures were treated with physiological levels of glucose (G; 5.

Clinical utility of universal 16S rRNA PCR using sterile body fluids: lung abscess caused by Nocardia farcinica.

Nocardiosis is an infectious disease caused by Gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria and presents as a suppurative granulomatous disease in patients with compromised immune systems. Few studies have investigated the clinical utility of the universal 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using sterile body fluids for diagnosing nocardiosis. A 64-year-old female patient was admitted to Chosun University Hospital with the complaint of fever.

UCP2-dependent redox sensing in POMC neurons regulates feeding.

Paradoxically, glucose, the primary driver of satiety, activates a small population of anorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons. Here, we show that lactate levels in the circulation and in the cerebrospinal fluid are elevated in the fed state and the addition of lactate to glucose activates the majority of POMC neurons while increasing cytosolic NADH generation, mitochondrial respiration, and extracellular pyruvate levels. Inhibition of lactate dehydrogenases diminishes mitochondrial respiration, NADH production, and POMC neuronal activity.

Economic Burden of Recurrence in Completely Resected Stage IB-IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study Using Nationwide Claims Data of South Korea.

Introduction: Although many patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) experience recurrence despite complete resection, few studies have reported on the corresponding economic burden. This study aimed to understand the economic impact of recurrence by measuring healthcare costs and resource utilization in patients with recurrent stage IB-IIIA NSCLC.

Methods: Using Health Insurance Review and Assessment claims data from South Korea, we included patients who underwent complete resection for stage IB-IIIA NSCLC during the index period (January 1, 2012, to October 31, 2018).

F. Schmidt Extract Modulates the Activities of HMG-CoA Reductase and Fatty Acid Synthase.

F. Schmidt (AG), is a natural product known to have anti-obesity effects, but the mechanism underlying these effects is not well documented. We hypothesized that AG may have inhibitory effects on enzymes related to lipid accumulation.

Developmentally regulated GTP-binding protein-2 regulates adipocyte differentiation.

Developmentally regulated GTP-binding protein 2 (DRG2) participates in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of multiple cells. However, whether DRG2 regulates adipocyte differentiation and related metabolic control remains elusive. This study revealed increases in body weight and adiposity in DRG2 transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing DRG2.

Drp1 is required for AgRP neuronal activity and feeding.

The hypothalamic orexigenic Agouti-related peptide (AgRP)-expressing neurons are crucial for the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis. Here, we show that fasting-induced AgRP neuronal activation is associated with dynamin-related peptide 1 (DRP1)-mediated mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial fatty acid utilization in AgRP neurons. In line with this, mice lacking in adult AgRP neurons (Drp1 cKO) show decreased fasting- or ghrelin-induced AgRP neuronal activity and feeding and exhibited a significant decrease in body weight, fat mass, and feeding accompanied by a significant increase in energy expenditure.

The insect peptide CopA3 blocks programmed cell death by directly binding caspases and inhibiting their proteolytic activation.

Caspases play essential roles in apoptotic processes, which is necessary for cellular homeostasis. However, over-activation of caspases and subsequent excessive apoptosis is considered a main cause of Parkinson's disease and liver diseases. Here, we found that the insect-derived peptide, CopA3, which has shown antiapoptotic effects in many apoptosis models, directly binds to caspases.

Hypothalamic glucose-sensing mechanisms.

Chronic metabolic diseases, including diabetes and obesity, have become a major global health threat of the twenty-first century. Maintaining glucose homeostasis is essential for survival in mammals. Complex and highly coordinated interactions between glucose-sensing mechanisms and multiple effector systems are essential for controlling glucose levels in the blood.

Anti-Osteoporotic Effects of Antioxidant Peptides PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK from on Ovariectomized Mice.

Numerous amounts of evidence suggest that bioactive peptides with diverse physiological activities can be nutraceuticals or potential drug candidates. In this study, blue mussel-derived antioxidant peptides PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK were subjected to evaluate their osteogenic effect in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBMMSCs) followed by an anti-osteoporotic effect. Treatment of PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK on mBMMSCs stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity and calcification.

Development of a three-dimensional in vitro co-culture model to increase drug selectivity for humans.

Aim: Insulin resistance is a metabolic state where insulin sensitivity is lower than normal condition and strongly related to type 2 diabetes. However, an in vitro model mimicking insulin resistance is rare and thus screening drugs for insulin resistance severely depends on an in vivo model. Here, to increase anti-diabetic drug selectivity for humans, 3D ADMSCs and macrophages were co-cultured with in-house fabricated co-culture plates.

DRG2 supports the growth of primary tumors and metastases of melanoma by enhancing VEGF-A expression.

Malignant metastatic melanoma (MM) is the most lethal of all skin cancers, but detailed mechanisms for regulation of melanoma metastasis are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrated that developmentally regulated GTP-binding protein 2 (DRG2) is required for the growth of primary tumors and for metastasis. DRG2 expression was significantly increased in MM compared with primary melanoma (PM) and dysplastic nevi.

Microglial UCP2 Mediates Inflammation and Obesity Induced by High-Fat Feeding.

Microglia play a crucial role in immune responses, including inflammation. Diet-induced obesity (DIO) triggers microglia activation and hypothalamic inflammation as early as 3 days after high-fat diet (HFD) exposure, before changes in body weight occur. The intracellular mechanism(s) responsible for HFD-induced microglia activation is ill defined.

Amino Acid Composition, Antioxidant, and Cytoprotective Effect of Blue Mussel () Hydrolysate through the Inhibition of Caspase-3 Activation in Oxidative Stress-Mediated Endothelial Cell Injury.

Enhanced oxidative stress plays a central role in promoting endothelial dysfunction, leading to the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of the hydrolysates derived from blue mussel () against H₂O₂-mediated oxidative injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The blue mussel hydrolysates were prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis with eight proteases, and blue mussel-α-chymotrypsin hydrolysate (BMCH) showed the highest antioxidant activities in DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS⁺ radical scavenging, and ORAC value compared to those of the other hydrolysates.