Deficiency of purinergic P2Y2 receptor impairs the recovery after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and accelerates renal fibrosis and tubular senescence in mice.

Chronic kidney disease is defined as a progressive loss of kidney function associated with impaired recovery after acute kidney injury. Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) induces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses leading to severe tissue damage, where incomplete or maladaptive repair accelerates renal fibrosis and aging. To investigate the role of the purinergic P2Y2 receptor (P2Y2R) in these processes, we used P2Y2R knockout (KO) mice subjected to IR.

Activation of Purinergic P2Y2 Receptor Protects the Kidney Against Renal Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Mice.

Extracellular ATP plays an important role in renal physiology as well as the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion (IR). Expression of the purinergic P2Y2 receptor has been shown on inflammatory and structural cells of the kidney, and P2Y2R is preferably activated by ATP (or UTP). Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism of P2Y2R during IR injury by using P2Y2R knockout (KO) mice and a selective P2Y2R agonist, MRS2768.

Oyster hydrolysate ameliorates UVB-induced skin dehydration and barrier dysfunction.

Ultraviolet (UV) exposure triggers skin aging primarily by disrupting skin barrier function, resulting in dry skin and wrinkle formation. Oyster hydrolysate (OH), as a functional food, has been reported for anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. This study investigated the underlying mechanism of OH effect on UVB-induced skin aging in SKH1 hairless mice.

The First Report on the Complete Sequence Characterization of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 in the Republic of Korea.

The bluetongue virus (BTV) is a significant animal pathogen with economic implications in the ruminant industry. Despite global reports on BTV detection and epidemiologic investigations, limited studies have focused on the virus in the ROK. In this study, BTV epidemiological research was conducted on blood samples from cattle and goat farms across nine regions during 2013-2014.

Early Growth Response 1 Contributes to Renal IR Injury by Inducing Proximal Tubular Cell Apoptosis.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) causes acute kidney injury due to oxidative stress, tubular inflammation, and apoptosis. Early growth response 1 (Egr-1) is a transcription factor belonging to the immediate early gene family and is known to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Egr-1 expression is induced during renal IR; however, its pathogenic role and underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

GOLPH3 promotes endotoxemia-induced liver and kidney injury through Golgi stress-mediated apoptosis and inflammatory response.

Sepsis is a serious clinical condition characterized by a systemic inflammatory response, a leading cause of acute liver and kidney injury, and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the acute liver and kidney injury is crucial for developing an effective therapy. Golgi apparatus plays important roles and has various substrates mediating cellular stress responses.

Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism Attenuates Multiple Organ Failure after Renal Ischemia and Reperfusion in Mice.

Renal ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) that is often complicated by multiple organ failure of the liver and intestine. The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is activated in patients with renal failure associated with glomerular and tubular damage. We thus investigated whether canrenoic acid (CA), a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist, protects against AKI-induced hepatic and intestinal injury, suggesting the underlying mechanisms.

The effects of early exercise in traumatic brain-injured rats with changes in motor ability, brain tissue, and biomarkers.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is brain damage which is caused by the impact of external mechanical forces. TBI can lead to the temporary or permanent impairment of physical and cognitive abilities, resulting in abnormal behavior. We recently observed that a single session of early exercise in animals with TBI improved their behavioral performance in the absence of other cognitive abnormalities.

CFD study on vesicoureteral reflux in the urinary tract with double J stent.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in the upper and lower urinary tracts with and without ureteral stenosis and with a double J stent (DJS).

Methods: The entire length of the urinary tract with an implanted DJS was modeled. To assess the possibility of VUR, the measured values were used as boundary conditions for the baseline, the maximum cystometric bladder capacity (MCBC) during the filling phase, and maximum vesical pressure during the voiding phase were computed.

Venous outflow-targeted coil embolization of direct carotid-cavernous fistulas.

Background: Coil embolization is the mainstay treatment for carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). However, few studies have reported entire occlusion of engorged veins to interrupt venous outflow. We report our experience with venous outflow-targeted coil embolization of direct CCFs.

P2Y2R Deficiency Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis by Reducing Lipogenesis and Enhancing Fatty Acid β-Oxidation through AMPK and PGC-1α Induction in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic metabolic liver disease associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Activation of the purinergic receptor P2Y2R has been reported to promote adipogenesis, inflammation and dyslipidemia in adipose tissues in obese mice. However, the role of P2Y2R and its mechanisms in NAFLD remain unknown.

Geniposide Improves Diabetic Nephropathy by Enhancing ULK1-Mediated Autophagy and Reducing Oxidative Stress through AMPK Activation.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common pathological feature in patients with diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Although several pharmacological agents have been developed, the management of DN remains challenging. Geniposide, a natural compound has been reported for anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects; however, its role in DN remains poorly understood.

Fermentation of Sprouted Ginseng () Increases Flavonoid and Phenolic Contents to Attenuate Alcoholic Hangover and Acute Liver Injury in Mice.

Alcoholic liver damage is caused by ethanol and its oxidized intermediates, and endotoxin-induced acute liver failure is mediated by apoptosis and inflammation. We investigated whether extracts of sprouts of (SG) attenuate alcohol or endotoxin-induced acute liver injury in mice. Whole SG contains eight times more ginsenosides than the root and, because it grows quickly ([Formula: see text]30 days) without using pesticides, the whole-plant can be harvested.

P2Y2R contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting autophagy response.

Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes and a critical risk factor for developing end-stage renal disease. Activation of purinergic receptors, including P2Y2R has been associated with the pathogenesis of renal diseases, such as polycystic kidney and glomerulonephritis. However, the role of P2Y2R and its precise mechanisms in DN remain unknown.

Honokiol Protects the Kidney from Renal Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury by Upregulating the Glutathione Biosynthetic Enzymes.

Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous antioxidant found in plants, animals, fungi, and some microorganisms that protects cells by neutralizing hydrogen peroxide. Honokiol, an active ingredient of , is known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. We investigated the protective mechanism of honokiol through regulating cellular GSH in renal proximal tubules against acute kidney injury (AKI).

Fermented Extracts Attenuate Endotoxin-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice.

Endotoxin-induced acute liver injury is mediated by an excessive inflammatory response, hepatocellular oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Traditional medicinal plants have been used to treat various disorders. (PG) has been shown to be beneficial in relieving cough and asthma and to have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic activities.

Predominance of emm4 and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pyogenes in acute pharyngitis in a southern region of Korea.

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes is the most common cause of bacterial pharyngitis. Genotyping of emm is useful for molecular epidemiological survey of S. pyogenes.

Nobiletin ameliorates hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury through the activation of SIRT-1/FOXO3a-mediated autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis.

Hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury are characterized by impaired autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequent compromise of cellular homeostasis following hepatic surgery or transplantation. Nobiletin, a natural flavonoid, is a beneficial antioxidant that possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. We investigated the effect of nobiletin on hepatic IR injury and described the underlying mechanisms.

Supplementation of Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy and Hepatic Steatosis by Activating Autophagy in Mice.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a diabetic complication marked by albuminuria and a decline of the glomerular filtration rate. Diabetic kidneys are defective in the autophagy process and mitochondrial function and their enhancement of activity alleviates the pathology. In this paper, we developed a mouse model of DN by a combined treatment of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin after unilateral nephrectomy and supplementation with flower or leaf extracts of (AM) were tested.

Clinical Validation of the Prognostic Stage Groups of the Eighth-Edition TNM Staging for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Context: Despite advances in thyroid cancer staging systems, considerable controversy about the current staging system for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) continues.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the prognostic performance of the current eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control TNM staging system (TNM-8) and the alternative proposed prognostic stage groups based on recursive partitioning analysis (TNM-RPA).

Design, Setting, And Patients: We retrospectively analyzed 182 patients with MTC treated at a single tertiary Korean hospital between 1995 and 2015.

Risk Factor Analysis of Change in Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring During Cervical Open Door Laminoplasty.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors affecting intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) changes, when such changes take place, and clinical outcomes associated with IONM change during cervical open door laminoplasty (COL) for cervical compressive myelopathy.

Methods: Between 2010 and 2015, 79 patients who underwent COL with IONM recording were studied. Changes in motor evoked potentials or somatosensory evoked potentials over an alarm criterion were defined as IONM change.

Influence of the different anteromedial portal on femoral tunnel orientation during anatomic ACL reconstruction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of femoral tunnel orientation, drilled through the accessory anteromedial (AAM) portal or the high AM portal in anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods: In 16 cadaver knees, using o'clock method, centers of the ACL femoral footprint were drilled with an 8-mm reamer via an AAM portal (eight knees) or a high AM portal (eight knees). Computed tomography (CT) scans were taken of each knee.

Association between bicortical screw fixation at upper instrumented vertebra and risk for upper instrumented vertebra fracture.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) fractures associated with UIV screw fixation (unicortical vs bicortical) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) augmentation after adult spinal deformity surgery. METHODS A single-center, single-surgeon consecutive series of adult patients who underwent lumbar fusion for ≥ 4 levels (that is, the lower instrumented vertebra at the sacrum or pelvis and the UIV of the thoracolumbar spine [T9-L2]) were retrospectively reviewed. Age, sex, follow-up duration, sagittal UIV angle immediately postoperatively including several balance-related parameters (lumbar lordosis [LL], pelvic incidence, and sagittal vertical axis), bone mineral density, UIV screw fixation type, UIV PMMA augmentation, and UIV fracture were evaluated.

Radiographic and Clinical Results of Freehand S2 Alar-Iliac Screw Placement for Spinopelvic Fixation: An Analysis of 45 Consecutive Screws.

Study Design: This was a retrospective clinical case series.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate mid-term outcomes of S2 ala-iliac (S2AI) screw fixation in patients who underwent multilevel posterior spinal fusion surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: There have been few reports on radiographic and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent spinopelvic reconstruction surgery using S2AI screw installation.