The crucial component(s) of Guizhi Fuling Wan in inhibiting endometriosis development.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder that manifests as chronic pelvic pain and subfertility. Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW), which contains five herbs, was first described in Chinese canonical medicine to treat qi stagnation and circulation. Although the inhibition of endometriosis by GFW has been previously demonstrated, its efficacy could potentially be improved by adjusting the dose of each component.

Inhibition of MMP8 effectively alleviates manic-like behavior and reduces neuroinflammation by modulating astrocytic CEBPD.

There is an intrinsic relationship between psychiatric disorders and neuroinflammation, including bipolar disorder. Ouabain, an inhibitor of Na/K-ATPase, has been implicated in the mouse model with manic-like behavior. However, the molecular mechanisms linking neuroinflammation and manic-like behavior require further investigation.

Anti-Lymphangiogenic Terpenoids from the Heartwood of Taiwan Juniper, var. .

To look in-depth into the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Taiwan juniper, this study investigated the chemical profiles and anti-lymphangiogenic activity of var. . In this study, four new sesquiterpenes, 12-acetoxywiddrol (), cedrol-13-al (), α-corocalen-15-oic acid (), 1,3,5-bisaoltrien-10-hydroperoxy-11-ol (), one new diterpene, 1β,2β-epoxy-9α-hydroxy-8(14),11-totaradiene-3,13-dione (), and thirty-three known terpenoids were successfully isolated from the heartwood of var.

An integrated analysis of dysregulated SCD1 in human cancers and functional verification of miR-181a-5p/SCD1 axis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), one of the most lethal cancers, has become a global health issue. Stearoyl-coA desaturase 1 (SCD1) has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in human cancers. However, pan-cancer analysis has revealed little evidence to date.

A novel therapeutic approach for endometriosis using adipose-derived stem cell-derived conditioned medium- A new hope for endometriotic patients in improving fertility.

Introduction: Endometriosis is defined as the growth of endometrial glands and stromal cells in a heterotopic location with immune dysregulation. It usually leads to chronic pelvic pain and subfertility. Although various treatments are available, the recurrence rate remains high.

Combinatory effects of current regimens and Guizhi Fuling Wan on the development of endometriosis.

Objective: Endometriosis, defined as the growth of endometrial glands and stromal cells in a heterotopic location under the cyclic influence of ovarian hormones, is a common gynecological disorder manifested by chronic pelvic pain and infertility. In traditional Chinese medicine, endometriosis is characterized by stagnation of vital energy (qi) and blood stasis. Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW) was first described in Chinese canonical medicine to treat disorders associated with stagnation of qi and blood stasis, including endometriosis.

Transplantation of 3D adipose-derived stem cell/hepatocyte spheroids alleviates chronic hepatic damage in a rat model of thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis refers to irreversible liver damage where healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue, resulting in impaired liver function. There is no cure and current treatments only prevent further liver damage; thus, novel therapeutic options are urgently needed. Here, we report a new approach that enables the formation of self-assembled 3D spheroids of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and murine hepatocytes (AML12) via reconstituted collagen fibers.

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Conditioned Medium Modulates the Expression of Inflammation Induced Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2, -5 and -6 as Well as Compared with Shockwave Therapy on Rat Knee Osteoarthritis.

The dose-dependent effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) were compared with those of shockwave (SW) therapy in the treatment of early osteoarthritis (OA). Anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT) with medial meniscectomy (MMx) was performed in rats divided into sham, OA, SW, CM1 (intra-articular injection of 100 μL ADSC-CM into knee OA), and CM2 (intra-articular injection of 200 μL ADSC-CM) groups. Cartilage grading, grading of synovium changes, and specific molecular analysis by immunohistochemistry staining were performed.

TGF-β1 Neutralization Improves Pregnancy Outcomes by Restoring Endometrial Receptivity in Mice with Adenomyosis.

The objective of this research is to study the effects of TGF-β1 inhibition on endometrial receptivity and pregnancy outcomes in mice with adenomyosis. Experiments were done using a mouse model of adenomyosis which took place in a hospital-affiliated laboratory. The mouse model used for this research is ICR mouse.

Reparative and toxicity-reducing effects of liposome-encapsulated saikosaponin in mice with liver fibrosis.

Saikosaponin d (SSd), a primary active component of the Chinese herb Bupleurum falcatum, has antitumor and antiliver fibrosis effects. However, the toxicity of SSd at high doses can induce conditions such as metabolic disorders and hemolysis in vivo, thus hampering its clinical use. The present study investigated the toxicity-reducing effects of liposome encapsulation of pure SSd and the therapeutic action of SSd-loaded liposomes (Lipo-SSd) in liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo.

Effects of Mycelium Extracts on the Functional Activity of Purinoceptors and Neuropathic Pain in Mice with L5 Spinal Nerve Ligation.

Neuropathic pain is a serious clinical problem that is difficult to treat. Purinoceptors (P2Rs) transduce pain perception from the peripheral to the central nervous system and play an important role in the transmission of neuropathic pain signals. We previously found that the crude extracts of mycelium (HE-CE) inhibited P2R-mediated signaling in cells and reduced heat-induced pain in mice.

The Effects of Anti-TGF-β1 on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in the Pathogenesis of Adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium. The mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of adenomyosis remain unclear. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is characterized by losing cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion together with gaining migratory and invasive properties of stromal cells to become mesenchymal stem cells.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of an invasive strategy compared to a conservative approach in patients > 65 years old with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Patients 65 years old and older largely represent (>50%) hospital-admitted patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Data are conflicting comparing efficacy of early routine invasive (within 48-72 hours of initial evaluation) versus conservative management of ACS in this population.

Objective: We aimed to determine the effectiveness of routine early invasive strategy compared to conservative treatment in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events in patients 65 years old and older with non-ST elevation (NSTE) ACS.

Silicon-Based Embedded Trenches of Active Antennas for High-Responsivity Omnidirectional Photodetection at Telecommunication Wavelengths.

Although the use of plasmonic nanostructures for photodetection below the band gap energy of the semiconductor has been intensively investigated recently, efficiencies of such hot electron-based devices have, unfortunately, remained low because of the inevitable energy loss of the hot electrons as they move and transfer in active antennas based on metallic nanostructures. In this work, we demonstrate the concept of high-refractive-index material-embedded trench-like (ETL) active antennas that could be used to achieve almost 100% absorbance within the ultrashallow region (approximately 10 nm) beneath the metal-semiconductor interface, which is a much smaller distance compared with the hot electrons' mean free path in the noble metal layer. Taking advantage of these ETL-based active antennas, we obtained photoresponsivities under zero bias at wavelengths of 1310 and 1550 nm of 5854 and 693 nA mW, respectively-values higher than most those previously reported for active antenna-based silicon (Si) photodetectors that operate at optical telecommunication wavelengths.

Economic burden of hospitalisation for congestive heart failure among adults in the Philippines.

Objectives: Hospitalisation for congestive heart failure (CHF) was reported to be 1648 cases for every 100 000 patient claims in 2014 in the Philippines; however, there are no data regarding its economic impact. This study determined CHF hospitalisation cost and its total economic burden. It compared the healthcare-related hospitalisation cost from the societal perspective with the payer's perspective, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Carnosic acid impedes cell growth and enhances anticancer effects of carmustine and lomustine in melanoma.

Carnosic acid (CA), a major polyphenolic diterpene present in , has been reported to have multiple functions, including antitumor activity. The MTT assay, BrdU incorporation, wound healing, and colony formation were used to detect melanoma B16F10 cell growth and proliferation. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle detection.

Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Agaricomycetes), Modulates Purinoceptor-Coupled Calcium Signaling and Murine Nociceptive Behavior.

Hericium erinaceus is well known for the neurotrophic effect it confers by promoting nerve growth factor biosynthesis. We discovered a novel bioactivity of H. erinaceus in its ability to suppress adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced calcium signaling in neuronal PC12 cells.

TDP-43 proteolysis is associated with astrocyte reactivity after traumatic brain injury in rodents.

The aggregation and deposition of transactivation response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in neurons and astrocytes is characteristic in a number of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nevertheless, the exact role of TDP-43 in astrocytes is unknown. Recently, TDP-43 was identified in neurons but not astrocytes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in humans.

Metformin disrupts malignant behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma via a novel signaling involving Late SV40 factor/Aurora-A.

Conventional therapeutic processes in patient with OSCC are associated with several unfavorable effects leading to patients with poor survival rate. Metformin has been shown to protect against a variety of specific diseases, including cancer. However, the precise roles and mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of metformin on OSCC remain elusive.

Epidemiologic burden of hospitalisation for congestive heart failure among adults aged ≥19 years in the Philippines.

Objectives: The study determined the prevalence of hospitalisation due to congestive heart failure (CHF) among adult patients aged 19 years and above in the Philippines and its 17 regions in 2014. It also determined the demographic profile of these patients, aetiology and type of CHF, comorbidities, duration of hospitalisation and the overall in-hospital mortality rate.

Methods: Data collection was done using the hospitalisation claims database of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Saikosaponin a Induces Apoptosis through Mitochondria-Dependent Pathway in Hepatic Stellate Cells.

Saikosaponin a (SSa) is one of the main active components of Bupleurum falcatum. It is commonly used to treat liver injury and fibrosis in traditional Chinese medicine. Our previous study showed that SSa induces apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line HSC-T6.

Biocompatible testing and physical properties of curdlan-grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Curdlan was grafted to poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to form a porous scaffold. The grafted PVA-curdlan 3D scaffold was then examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Grafting increased the water absorbency of the scaffold by 280%.

Saikosaponin d induces cell death through caspase-3-dependent, caspase-3-independent and mitochondrial pathways in mammalian hepatic stellate cells.

Background: Saikosaponin d (SSd) is one of the main active triterpene saponins in Bupleurum falcatum. It has a steroid-like structure, and is reported to have pharmacological activities, including liver protection in rat, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction in several cancer cell lines. However, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of mammalian cells under SSd treatment are still unclear.

Discordance of Mutation Statuses of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and K-ras between Primary Adenocarcinoma of Lung and Brain Metastasis.

Mutations on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) of adenocarcinomas of lung have been found to be associated with increased sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and K-ras mutations may correlate with primary resistance. We aimed to explore the discordant mutation statuses of EGFR and K-ras between primary tumors and matched brain metastases in adenocarcinomas of lung. We used a sensitive Scorpion ARMS method to analyze EGFR mutation, and Sanger sequencing followed by allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction to analyze K-ras mutation.