In Vivo Differentiation of Endogenous Bone Marrow-Derived Cells into Insulin-Producing Cells Using Four Soluble Factors.

Four soluble factors-putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102-were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear.

SUMO-specific protease 2 regulates lipid droplet size through ERRα-mediated CIDEA expression in adipocytes.

Lipid droplets are not only lipid storage sites but also are closely related to lipid metabolism. Lipid droplet growth increases lipid storage capacity and suppresses lipolysis via lipase associated with the lipid droplet surface. The cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector (CIDE) family of proteins mediates lipid droplet fusion, which mainly contributes to lipid droplet growth.

Direct Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mononucleated Cells Into Insulin-Producing Cells Using 4 Specific Soluble Factors.

Bone marrow-derived stem cells are self-renewing and multipotent adult stem cells that differentiate into several types of cells. Here, we investigated a unique combination of 4 differentiation-inducing factors (DIFs), including putrescine (Put), glucosamine (GlcN), nicotinamide, and BP-1-102, to develop a differentiation method for inducing mature insulin-producing cells (IPCs) and apply this method to bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) isolated from mice. BMNCs, primed with the 4 soluble DIFs, were differentiated into functional IPCs.

Role of SUMO-Specific Protease 2 in Leptin-Induced Fatty Acid Metabolism in White Adipocytes.

Background: Leptin is a 16-kDa fat-derived hormone with a primary role in controlling adipose tissue levels. Leptin increases fatty acid oxidation (FAO) acutely through adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and on delay through the SUMO-specific protease 2 (SENP2)-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ/γ (PPARδ/γ) pathway in skeletal muscle. Leptin also directly increases FAO and decreases lipogenesis in adipocytes; however, the mechanism behind these effects remains unknown.

SENP2 suppresses browning of white adipose tissues by de-conjugating SUMO from C/EBPβ.

The adipose tissue is a key site regulating energy metabolism. One of the contributing factors behind this is browning of white adipose tissue (WAT). However, knowledge of the intracellular determinants of the browning process remains incomplete.

SENP2 regulates mitochondrial function and insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells.

Increasing evidence has shown that small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification plays an important role in metabolic regulation. We previously demonstrated that SUMO-specific protease 2 (SENP2) is involved in lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipogenesis. In this study, we investigated the function of SENP2 in pancreatic β cells by generating a β cell-specific knockout (Senp2-βKO) mouse model.

Effects of an Individualized Educational Program for Korean Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Most patients with low back pain prefer to ignore symptoms and avoid medical management because of incorrect perceptions about this condition. However, over 90% of patients with chronic low back pain are hardly unable to perform daily activities, with 50% reporting that their daily activities have been severely impeded.

Purpose: In this study, an individualized educational program was developed and implemented in a sample of Korean patients with chronic low back pain, and the effectiveness of this program was evaluated.

An Essential Role of the N-Terminal Region of ACSL1 in Linking Free Fatty Acids to Mitochondrial β-Oxidation in C2C12 Myotubes.

Free fatty acids are converted to acyl-CoA by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases (ACSLs) before entering into metabolic pathways for lipid biosynthesis or degradation. ACSL family members have highly conserved amino acid sequences except for their N-terminal regions. Several reports have shown that ACSL1, among the ACSLs, is located in mitochondria and mainly leads fatty acids to the β-oxidation pathway in various cell types.

Is allograft a more reliable treatment option than autograft in 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with plate fixation?

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of allograft in 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with plate fixation by comparing its clinical and radiological outcomes to those of autograft.Thirty five patients with femur cortical allografts and 32 patients with tricortical iliac autografts were evaluated. All surgeries were performed by a single senior surgeon.

Metformin Ameliorates Lipotoxic β-Cell Dysfunction through a Concentration-Dependent Dual Mechanism of Action.

Background: Chronic exposure to elevated levels of free fatty acids contributes to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Although it is well known that metformin induces cellular energy depletion and a concomitant activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) through inhibition of the respiratory chain, previous studies have shown inconsistent results with regard to the action of metformin on pancreatic β-cells. We therefore examined the effects of metformin on pancreatic β-cells under lipotoxic stress.

SUMO-specific protease 2 mediates leptin-induced fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle.

Background And Purpose: In addition to the central nervous system-mediated action, leptin also directly induces fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle. Rapid induction of FAO by leptin is mediated by the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, but the mechanism of prolonged FAO by leptin was previously unknown. In an earlier study, we showed that free fatty acids increase transcription of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) specific protease 2 (SENP2) in skeletal muscle, and that SENP2 stimulates expression of FAO-associated enzymes by deSUMOylating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, PPARδ and PPARγ.

Re-highlighting the action of PPARγ in treating metabolic diseases.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear receptor family and plays an important role in adipocyte differentiation, glucose homeostasis, and insulin sensitivity. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), synthetic ligands of PPARγ, have been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus for two decades. TZDs were expected to be amazing drugs not only for type 2 diabetes but also for metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic vascular disease because they can reduce both insulin resistance and inflammation in experimental studies.

Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Prolonged-Release Oxycodone/Naloxone in Korean Patients with Chronic Pain from Spinal Disorders.

Background: A prolonged-release formulation of oxycodone/naloxone has been shown to be effective in European populations for the management of chronic moderate to severe pain. However, no clinical data exist for its use in Korean patients. The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone in Korean patients for management of chronic moderate-to-severe pain.

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for spinal metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma: its oncologic outcomes and risk of vertebral compression fracture.

Spinal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) require high-dose irradiation for durable pain and tumor control. Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) enables the delivery of high-dose radiation. However, but vertebral compression fracture (VCF) can be problematic.

Carnitine induces autophagy and restores high-fat diet-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective: Autophagy is suppressed in skeletal muscle and the liver with insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet. Autophagy is essential for maintaining mitochondrial function, and dysfunctional mitochondria are associated with insulin resistance. As carnitine treatment is well known to improve insulin resistance by promoting mitochondrial function, we investigated if carnitine affects autophagy in the skeletal muscle of a high-fat diet-induced rodent model of obesity.

Radiological and clinical long-term results of heterotopic ossification following lumbar total disc replacement.

Background: The long-term results of heterotopic ossification (HO) following lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) and the corresponding clinical and radiological outcomes are unclear.

Purpose: This study aimed to report the long-term results of HO following lumbar TDR and to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes.

Study Design/setting: A retrospective case review was performed for the consecutive patients who underwent lumbar TDR.

Characteristics and Efficacy of a New 3-Dimensional Printed Mesh Structure Titanium Alloy Spacer for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

This study evaluated the characteristics of a newly developed 3-dimensional printed mesh structure titanium spacer and its efficacy for posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with this spacer was performed at 53 segments (40 patients; mean age, 64 years; range, 51-73 years). Data were collected prospectively.

Different Risk Factors of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and Proximal Junctional Failure Following Long Instrumented Fusion to the Sacrum for Adult Spinal Deformity: Survivorship Analysis of 160 Patients.

Background: The failure modes, time to development, and clinical relevance are known to differ between proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF). However, there are no reports that study the risk factors of PJK and PJF separately.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for PJK and PJF separately.

A Nationwide Retrospective Study of Opioid Management Patterns in 2,468 Patients with Spinal Pain in Korea.

Study Design: Retrospective patient data collection and investigator survey.

Purpose: To investigate patterns of opioid treatment for pain caused by spinal disorders in Korea.

Overview Of Literature: Opioid analgesic prescription and adequacy of consumption measures in Korea have markedly increased in the past decade, suggesting changing patterns in pain management practice; however, there is lack of integrated data specific to Korean population.

Mini-Open Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Combined with Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Corrective Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity.

Study Design: Prospective observational study.

Purpose: To introduce the techniques and present the surgical outcomes of mini-open anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) at the most caudal segments of the spine combined with lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) for the correction of adult spinal deformity.

Overview Of Literature: Although LLIF is increasingly used to correct adult spinal deformity, the correction of sagittal plane deformity with LLIF alone is reportedly suboptimal.

Rg3 Improves Mitochondrial Function and the Expression of Key Genes Involved in Mitochondrial Biogenesis in C2C12 Myotubes.

Background: Panax ginseng has glucose-lowering effects, some of which are associated with the improvement in insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Because mitochondria play a pivotal role in the insulin resistance of skeletal muscle, we investigated the effects of the ginsenoside Rg3, one of the active components of P. ginseng, on mitochondrial function and biogenesis in C2C12 myotubes.

How does back muscle strength change after posterior lumbar interbody fusion?

OBJECTIVE There is a lack of evidence of how back muscle strength changes after lumbar fusion surgery and how exercise influences these changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in back muscle strength after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and to measure the effects of a postoperative exercise program on muscle strength and physical and mental health outcomes. METHODS This prospective study enrolled 59 women (mean age 58 years) who underwent PLIF at 1 or 2 spinal levels.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone improves insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle cells via cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway-dependent upregulation of insulin receptor substrate-1 expression.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor is expressed in extrathyroidal tissues such as hepatocytes, adipocytes, and skeletal muscle, which suggests a possible novel role of TSH in various metabolic processes in extrathyroidal tissues independent of thyroid hormones. We investigated whether TSH has any effects on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscle using diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse models and rodent skeletal muscle cells. TSH improved glucose tolerance in DIO mice and this was associated with an improvement of skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity resulting from the increased expression of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 protein and mRNA therein.

The Ideal Cage Position for Achieving Both Indirect Neural Decompression and Segmental Angle Restoration in Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF).

Study Design: A prospective radiographic analysis.

Objective: To assess the ideal cage position for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) together.

Summary Of Background Data: Achieving both indirect decompression and restoration of the segmental angle (SA) appear to be contrary to one another because the anteriorly located cage might be advantageous for restoring the SA, and posteriorly located cage might be favorable for achieving the indirect decompression effect.