Fingolimod, an antagonist of sphingosine 1-phosphate, ameliorates Sjögren's syndrome by reducing the number of STAT3-induced germinal center B cells and increasing the number of Breg cells.

Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease caused by infiltrating lymphocytes. FTY720 affects the S1P signaling pathway, which plays a role in T and B cell migration from secondary lymphoid tissues to target organs. In this study, we investigate the regulatory mechanism of FTY720 in the context of SS.

Poor Survival of Patients With Very Small But Locally Advanced (T4) Oropharyngeal Cancer.

The size of T4 tumor could vary in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, this study aimed to investigate the role of tumor size in the prognosis of patients with T4 OPSCC. Retrospective cross-sectional.

Cervical ganglioneuroma as a rare cause of cervicogenic headache: A case report and literature review.

Background: Cervicogenic headache is characterized by chronic posterior neck pain radiating to one side of the head, resulting from cervical spine bone or soft tissue diseases. Cervical ganglioneuroma (GN), a rare benign neuroblastic tumor, especially in the cervical spine, may cause cervicogenic headache-like symptoms.

Objective: We report a case of GN which was surgically removed successfully to relieve the symptom.

The preventive effect of Gastrodia elata Blume extract on vancomycin-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

Background: Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB), a traditional medicinal herb, has been reported to have pharmacological effect including protection against liver, neuron and kidney toxicity. However, explanation of its underlying mechanisms remains a great challenge. This study investigated the protective effects of GEB extract on vancomycin (VAN)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and underlying mechanisms with emphasis on the anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis.

The application of a dual-lead locking screw could enhance the reduction and fixation stability of the proximal humerus fractures: a biomechanical evaluation.

Introduction: Bicortical screw fixation, which penetrates and fixes the near and far cortex of bone, has been conventionally used to achieve compressive fixation for fracture using screws. Open reduction and internal fixation using the locking plate are widely used for treating proximal humerus fractures. However, minimal contact between the bone and the locking plate can lead to an insufficient reduction.

The impact of multifunctional enkephalin analogs and morphine on the protein changes in crude membrane fractions isolated from the rat brain cortex and hippocampus.

Endogenous opioid peptides serve as potent analgesics through the opioid receptor (OR) activation. However, they often suffer from poor metabolic stability, low lipophilicity, and low blood-brain barrier permeability. Researchers have developed many strategies to overcome the drawbacks of current pain medications and unwanted biological effects produced by the interaction with opioid receptors.

Artificial Octopus-Limb-Like Adhesive Patches for Cupping-Driven Transdermal Delivery with Nanoscale Control of Stratum Corneum.

Drug delivery through complex skin is currently being studied using various innovative structural and material strategies due to the low delivery efficiency of the multilayered stratum corneum as a barrier function. Existing microneedle-based or electrical stimulation methods have made considerable advances, but they still have technical limitations to reduce skin discomfort and increase user convenience. This work introduces the design, operation mechanism, and performance of noninvasive transdermal patch with dual-layered suction chamber cluster (SCC) mimicking octopus-limb capable of wet adhesion with enhanced adhesion hysteresis and physical stimulation.

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein accelerates systemic sclerosis by increasing inflammatory cytokines, Th17 cells, and fibrosis.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induces a dysfunctional immune response, inflammation, autoantibody production, and coagulopathy, which are symptoms that bear resemblance to those of autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: While there is a single case report suggesting an association between COVID-19 and SSc, the effects of COVID-19 on SSc are not yet fully understood. Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells were transfected with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein gene, in the presence of TGF-β.

β‑carotene attenuates muscle wasting in cancer cachexia by regulating myogenesis and muscle atrophy.

Cancer cachexia is a metabolic disease involving multiple organs, which is accompanied by the depletion of muscle tissue and is associated with ~20% of cancer‑related deaths. Muscle wasting is a critical factor in cancer cachexia. β‑carotene (BC) has been shown to increase muscle mass and hypertrophy in healthy mice.

A Rare Case of Localized Hypertrichosis in Conjunction with Erythema Nodosum.

Acquired hypertrichosis can occur in local inflammation. Erythema nodosum (EN) is a hypersensitivity reaction to various underlying antigenic stimuli including , which causes inflammation in the septa of subcutaneous fat. There were several case reports that describe the association of localized hypertrichosis (LH) with traumatic panniculitis and lupus panniculitis.

Soft tissue pseudotumors of the hand and wrist mimicking malignancy: Two case reports.

Rationale: Most soft-tissue lesions in the hand and wrist have a benign etiology, and malignant tumors, such as soft-tissue sarcomas, are rare. Mimickers of soft tissue tumors in the hand and wrist are more common than true neoplastic lesions; however, soft tissue pseudotumors that mimic malignancy are very rare.

Patient Concerns: This study describes 2 patients with soft tissue pseudotumors of the hand and wrist.

Lactobacillus acidophilus and propionate attenuate Sjögren's syndrome by modulating the STIM1-STING signaling pathway.

Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the exocrine gland. An imbalance of gut microbiota has been linked to SS. However, the molecular mechanism is unclear.

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein promotes inflammatory cytokine activation and aggravates rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induces inflammation, autoantibody production, and thrombosis, which are common symptoms of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the effect of COVID-19 on autoimmune disease is not yet fully understood.

Methods: This study was performed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on the development and progression of RA using a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animal model.

Peptidomimetics and Their Applications for Opioid Peptide Drug Discovery.

Despite various advantages, opioid peptides have been limited in their therapeutic uses due to the main drawbacks in metabolic stability, blood-brain barrier permeability, and bioavailability. Therefore, extensive studies have focused on overcoming the problems and optimizing the therapeutic potential. Currently, numerous peptide-based drugs are being marketed thanks to new synthetic strategies for optimizing metabolism and alternative routes of administration.

Concomitant tuberculosis of the iliotibial band mimicking a soft tissue tumor and tuberculous trochanteric bursitis: a case report emphasizing on magnetic resonance imaging findings.

The risk of tuberculosis (TB) increases in immunocompromised patients. Multiple myeloma is considered a risk factor for TB and myeloma patients with TB have a higher mortality rate than those without TB. Herein, we report a case of concomitant TB of the iliotibial band mimicking a soft tissue tumor and tuberculous trochanteric bursitis in a patient with multiple myeloma.

The Low-Fluence Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Melasma: A Systematic Review.

Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder with a complex pathogenesis, of which the treatment is challenging. Conventional treatment often leads to inconsistent results with unexpected pigmentary side effects and high recurrence rates. Recently, the low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (LFQSNY) has been widely used for treating melasma, especially in Asia.

EPDR1 is a noncanonical effector of insulin-mediated angiogenesis regulated by an endothelial-specific TGF-β receptor complex.

Insulin signaling in blood vessels primarily functions to stimulate angiogenesis and maintain vascular homeostasis through the canonical PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways. However, angiogenesis is a complex process coordinated by multiple other signaling events. Here, we report a distinct crosstalk between the insulin receptor and endoglin/activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1), an endothelial cell-specific TGF-β receptor complex essential for angiogenesis.

Nerve root anomaly as a cause of unexpected outcomes of epidural steroid injections in lumbar radiculopathy: A case report.

Background: Spinal nerve root anomaly is a rare feature that can result in unexpected outcomes in epidural steroid injections or surgical procedures. Preoperative diagnostic tools for root anomalies are limited, as they are usually found intraoperatively.

Objective: This case report aims to propose an effective diagnostic process for nerve root anomalies by introducing clinical manifestations, electrodiagnostic findings, and sophisticated imaging techniques such as coronal view magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral spine.