Random lasing from structurally-modulated silk fibroin nanofibers.

Structural arrangement and dimension play vital roles in wave transport and amplification as they can restrict the volume explored by the waves. However, it is challenging to systematically investigate the interplay among structural, optical, and mechanical properties, in part because of limited experimental platforms that modulate the structural arrangement in a continuous manner. We present light amplification action in Rhodamine B doped silk fibroin (SF) nanofibrous scaffolds and its modulation via the control of the alignment or directionality of SF nanofibers through an electrospinning procedure.

Electrospun Silk Fibroin Nanofibrous Scaffolds with Two-Stage Hydroxyapatite Functionalization for Enhancing the Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

The development of functional scaffolds with improved osteogenic potential is important for successful bone formation and mineralization in bone tissue engineering. In this study, we developed a functional electrospun silk fibroin (SF) nanofibrous scaffold functionalized with two-stage hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles, using mussel adhesive-inspired polydopamine (PDA) chemistry. HAp particles were first incorporated into SF scaffolds during the electrospinning process, and then immobilized onto the electrospun SF nanofibrous scaffolds containing HAp via PDA-mediated adhesive chemistry.

Prostaglandin E Activates YAP and a Positive-Signaling Loop to Promote Colon Regeneration After Colitis but Also Carcinogenesis in Mice.

Background & Aims: Prostaglandin E (PGE) is mediator of inflammation that regulates tissue regeneration, but its continual activation has been associated with carcinogenesis. Little is known about factors in the PGE signaling pathway that contribute to tumor formation. We investigated whether yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), a transcriptional co-activator in the Hippo signaling pathway, mediates PGE function.

The Prevalence of Colonic Neoplasm in Cryptogenic Pyogenic Liver Abscess: A Prospectively Enrolled Cross-sectional Study.

Background/aims: Several studies suggest that pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is associated with colon neoplasm. A colonoscopic exam for cryptogenic PLA might detect a hidden colon neoplasm, through which intestinal flora can be transmitted into the liver. However, there are no prospectively enrolled cross-sectional data for colonic neoplasm in cryptogenic PLA.

Giant Brunner's Gland Hamartoma of the Duodenal Bulb Presenting with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Obstruction.

Brunner's gland hamartomas are small benign lesions that are most commonly found in the bulb of the duodenum. They are very uncommon, and most are found incidentally during upper gastrointestinal series or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The lesions tend to be asymptomatic, but patients may present with symptoms of duodenal obstruction or hemorrhage secondary to ulceration.

Benign Mature Teratoma in Anterior Mediastinum.

Teratoma of mediastinum is rare germ cell tumor. Anterior mediastinum is the most common extragonadal site. Benign mediastinal teratoma accounts for 60% of all mediastinal germ cell tumors.

Membrane-reinforced three-dimensional electrospun silk fibroin scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Electrospun silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds have drawn much attention because of their resemblance to natural tissue architecture such as extracellular matrix, and the biocompatibility of SF as a candidate material to replace collagen. However, electrospun scaffolds lack the physical integrity of bone tissue scaffolds, which require resistance to mechanical loadings. In this work, we propose membrane-reinforced electrospun SF scaffolds by a serial process of electrospinning and freeze-drying of SF solutions in two different solvents: formic acid and water, respectively.

TISSUE REGENERATION. Inhibition of the prostaglandin-degrading enzyme 15-PGDH potentiates tissue regeneration.

Agents that promote tissue regeneration could be beneficial in a variety of clinical settings, such as stimulating recovery of the hematopoietic system after bone marrow transplantation. Prostaglandin PGE2, a lipid signaling molecule that supports expansion of several types of tissue stem cells, is a candidate therapeutic target for promoting tissue regeneration in vivo. Here, we show that inhibition of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), a prostaglandin-degrading enzyme, potentiates tissue regeneration in multiple organs in mice.

Obesity, insulin resistance, and the risk of an elevated alanine aminotransferase activity in the Korean adolescent population.

Background: It is unclear to what extent insulin resistance (IR) modulates the association linking obesity to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity elevation.

Methods: We measured the homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) in 1591 participants aged 12-18 years from the 2008 to 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Results: Overweight adolescents had an odds ratio of 7.

Secular trends in prevalence of alcohol use disorder and its correlates in Korean adults: results from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 and 2009.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) has been found to provide an accurate measure for risk of hazardous and harmful alcohol use, as well as possible dependence. Data from 2 representative samples of 7693 adults in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2005 and 6276 participants in 2009 were analyzed. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2009 (38.

Hepatocellular carcinoma screening in a hepatitis B virus-infected Korean population.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening has been recommended for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals in an effort to detect HCC at a sufficiently early stage to provide potentially curative treatments. The study reported here is the first to address the rate of HCC screening use in an HBV endemic area.

Methods: Data were collected from 11,147 adults aged ≥40 years who participated in the 2007-2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and had a valid HBV surface antigen test.

Controlled release of bupivacaine HCl through microchannels of biodegradable drug delivery device.

Local and prolonged delivery of local analgesics is much desired for post-operative pain management. For delivery of local analgesics at a constant rate over couple of days, a microfluidic device comprised of a drug reservoir and microchannels for drug release was developed using a biodegradable polymer, 85/15 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid). Unlike conventional methods relying on material property, this device enables convenient modulation of the release speed of drugs by a simple change of the channel geometry such as the length and cross-sectional area.

Prevalence of alcoholic liver disease among Korean adults: results from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009.

Background/aim: Alcohol consumption continues to be a common cause of acute and chronic liver disease.

Methods: Data from a representative sample of 7,893 adults in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009 were analyzed. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) was defined through heavy alcohol consumption (≥40 g/day for men or ≥20 g/day for women) and through elevated liver tests.

Peripheral blood gene expression of B7 and CD28 family members associated with tumor progression and microscopic lymphovascular invasion in colon cancer patients.

Purpose: To associate the global gene expression of B7/CD28 family transcripts with pathologic features of colon cancer, we determined the B7/CD28 family transcripts in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from normal subjects and patients with adenomatous polyps and colon cancer, and correlated the results with pathologic features of colon cancer.

Methods: PBMCs from age-matched normal subjects and patients with adenomatous polyps and colon cancer were analyzed for peripheral blood transcripts (PBTs) of B7/CD28 family using real-time PCR. Differences in expression levels of B7/CD28 PBTs across all cancer stages and between colon cancer patients with or without microscopic lymphovascular invasion (LVI) were analyzed.

[A prospective study on rabeprazole-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with peptic ulcer].

Background/aims: Rabeprazole sodium is a potent proton pump inhibitor. We assessed the efficacy, safety and compliance of one-week triple therapy including rabeprazole with amoxicillin and clarithromycin for eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).