Low-Intensity Continuous Ultrasound Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Curcumin-Encapsulated Exosomes Derived from Hypoxic Liver Cancer Cells via Homotropic Drug Delivery Systems.

Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles secreted by cells that efficiently deliver therapeutic cargo for cancer treatment. However, because exosomes are present in low quantities and have limited target specificity, internal and external stress stimulation has been studied to increase exosome efficiency. Inspired by these studies, the uptake efficiency of cobalt chloride-induced hypoxic cancer cell-secreted exosomes was evaluated.

Beneficial Effect of Rapamycin on Liver Fibrosis in a Mouse Model (C57bl/6 Mouse).

Background: Liver fibrosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that progresses and has a high mortality rate. This study was performed to investigate the protective effect of rapamycin on experimentally induced chronic liver injury in mice models using both biochemical parameters of liver function enzymes.

Methods: Twenty-four mice were divided randomly into 4 equal groups: [1] the normal group, n = 6; [2] the liver fibrosis (LF) group, n = 6; [3] the LF with the treatment of rapamycin group, n = 6; [4] the LF with the treatment of silimaryn, n = 6.

Protective Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Against Streptozotocin-Induced Alzheimer's Disease.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation under investigation for treatment of a wide range of neurological disorders. In particular, the therapeutic application of rTMS for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) is attracting attention. However, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of rTMS have not yet been elucidated, and few studies have systematically analyzed the stimulation parameters.

A Pilot Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Novel Markers of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Psoriasis.

Background: Recent studies have reported that psoriasis is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. Genome-wide association studies have been used to discover gene variant markers that occur frequently in case group in relation to specific diseases.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the variants of specific genes involved in metabolic syndrome associated with psoriasis.

Bisphenol A release from commercially available 3-dimensionally printed resins and human cell apoptosis to bisphenol A: an study.

Bisphenol A (BPA) from dental materials may be linked to children's health issues. This study aimed to assess the release of BPA from commercially available 3-dimensional (3D)-printed resin materials and evaluate BPA-related apoptotic effects on human periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts. Commercially available 3D-printed resin materials for prosthodontic use were selected as follows: NextDent C&B MFH (3D Systems, Rock Hill, SC, USA), DIOnavi-P.

Whole Exome Sequencing of a Patient with a Milder Phenotype of Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group C.

A 17-year-old female Korean patient (XP115KO) was previously diagnosed with Xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC) by Direct Sanger sequencing, which revealed a homozygous nonsense mutation in the gene (rs121965088: c.1735C > T, p.Arg579Ter).

Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Chrysophanol Isolated from Seed Extract on Blue-Light-Induced A2E-Loaded Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

The seeds of () species mainly contain anthraquinone, anthraquinone glycoside, and naphthalene derivatives. We investigated the anti-apoptotic effects of seed extract and its isolated compounds on blue-light-induced lipofuscin (A2E)-loaded human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. For analysis of the extract, high-performance liquid chromatography method was used.

Risk prediction of the metabolic syndrome using TyG Index and SNPs: a 10-year longitudinal prospective cohort study.

TyG (triglyceride and glucose) index using triglyceride and fasting blood glucose is recommended as a useful marker for insulin resistance. To clarify whether the TyG index is a marker for predicting metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to investigate the importance of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MetS diagnosis. From 2001 to 2014, a longitudinal prospective cohort study of 3580 adults aged 40-70 years was conducted.

Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Levels and Association of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Vitiligo.

Background: The role of vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms has been established in many autoimmune diseases, including vitiligo, but the result is still controversial.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the serum vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients and to compare the association of VDR gene polymorphisms in vitiligo patients and healthy controls.

Methods: We collected the data of age, sex, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) level, thyroid autoantibodies, disease duration, types of vitiligo, family history and the affected body surface area of vitiligo from 172 patients.

Association between exonic polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen-G gene and non-segmental vitiligo in the Korean population.

Background Vitiligo is a pigmentary skin disorder characterised by a chronic and progressive loss of melanocytes. Although several theories have been suggested to the pathogenesis of vitiligo, an autoimmune process leading to melanocyte destruction appears most likely. Human leukocyte antigen-G is a non-classic, major histocompatibility complex Class I molecule that plays an important role in the suppression of the immune response.

Acute Kidney Injury: Biomarker-Guided Diagnosis and Management.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical syndrome that is characterized by abnormal renal function and structure. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference in 2019 reviewed the stages of AKI and the definitions of AKI-related terminologies, and discussed the advances in the last decade. Along with serum creatinine level and urine output, more accurate novel biomarkers for predicting AKI are being applied for the early detection of renal dysfunction.

Diabetes Mellitus Promotes Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation in Mouse Ureteral Tissue through the P-ERK/P-JNK/VEGF/PKC Signaling Pathway.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) as a significant factor affecting spontaneous stone expulsion, as suggested by previous research. We investigated the influence of DM on the ureter using a murine model. The mouse-model arm of this study used 20 15 -week-old mice, including 10 normal (control) mice and 10 DM mice.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidant Effects of Korean Ginseng Berry Extract in LPS-Activated RAW264.7 Macrophages.

Inflammatory macrophages stimulated by LPS disrupt homeostasis in the production of inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). These are the causes of inflammation-related diseases and various cancers. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Korean ginseng berry extract (KGB) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.

Association of GZMB polymorphisms and susceptibility to non-segmental vitiligo in a Korean population.

Non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) is the most common type of vitiligo, which is characterized by chronic and progressive loss of melanocytes. Genetic factors have been shown to play a key role in NSV in association and family studies. Granzyme B is a serine protease found in the cytoplasmic granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells that play an important role in inducing apoptotic changes of target cells.

Effect of Glycyrrhizic Acid on Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Mice.

Purpose: Cognitive impairment is one of the main symptoms of Alzheimer disease and other dementias. Glycyrrhiza uralensis is a natural product that has a protective effect against cognitive impairment. In this study, we investigated whether glycyrrhizic acid, among the main bioactive components of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, has a neuroprotective effect on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment.

Association of the Promoter Haplotype of IFN-γ-Inducible Protein 16 Gene with Schizophrenia in a Korean Population.

Objective: Viral infections play an important role in the development of schizophrenia, inducing the faulty immunological responses and aberrant inflammation. IFN-γ-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) is an immunological DNA sensor against viral infections, triggering the inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated an association between putative promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes of IFI16 and schizophrenia.

Association between epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor gene polymorphisms and end-stage renal disease and acute renal allograft rejection in a Korean population.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been found to be associated with the development and repair mechanisms of several renal diseases. In this study, we hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in EGF or its receptor genes might have an association with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or acute renal allograft rejection (AR) in a Korean population. Three-hundred and forty seven recipients of the first renal transplants for ESRD, including 63 AR patients along with 289 healthy adults were included in the study.

Association between MicroRNA-4669 Polymorphism and Ischemic Stroke in a Korean Population.

Recent studies have explored the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs (miRNAs) and ischemic stroke (IS). In particular, the associations of rs2910164 (miRNA-146A), rs11614913 (miRNA-196A2), and rs3746444 (miRNA-499A) were intensively studied in IS. In this study, we investigated the associations between SNPs in miRNAs and IS including rs2910164, rs11614913, and rs3746444 in a Korean population.

Hesperidin Shows Protective Effects on Renal Function in Ischemia-induced Acute Kidney Injury (Sprague-Dawley Rats).

Objective: Hesperidin is a well-known flavanone glycoside copiously found in sweet orange and lemon, which was recently reported to possess significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major problem after renal transplantation. Furthermore, inflammatory responses to I/R exacerbate the resultant renal injury.

Protective Effect of Citric Acid Against Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Objective: Hepatic ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury is regarded as a serious concern in clinical practice. Citric acid reduces oxidative stress and inflammation during hypoxia and reoxygenation. Our objective was to investigate the protective effect of citric acid against hepatic I/R injury in rats.

Effect of Seed of Cassia tora Extract in the Prevention of Remote Renal Reperfusion Injury.

Objective: Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is characterized by the acute deterioration of renal function during ischemia and renal inflammation. Cassia tora has various effects, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic properties. In the present study, we investigated whether C tora has a renoprotective effect on I/R-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

Genome-wide association study identifies new susceptible loci of IgA nephropathy in Koreans.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that genetic factors are related to the pathogenesis of IgAN. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify novel genetic susceptibility loci for IgAN in a Korean population.

Promoter Polymorphism (-308G/A) of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha () Gene and Asthma Risk: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

The relationship between the promoter polymorphism (-308G/A) of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha () gene and the susceptibility to asthma has been tested in several studies. However, the results have been inconsistent. Therefore, we performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between this promoter polymorphism of the gene and the risk of asthma.

The Effects of Korea Red Ginseng on Inflammatory Cytokines and Apoptosis in Rat Model with Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis.

Chronic prostatitis typically occurs in aging men, and its symptoms include frequent and painful urination. In recent study, several studies have shown that Korean red ginseng (KRG) can be used in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate whether KRG can play a role in repressing the development of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) in male Wistar rats.