An inducible sphingosine kinase 1 in hepatic stellate cells potentiates liver fibrosis.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a role in hepatic fibrosis and sphingosine kinase (SphK) is involved in biological processes. As studies on the regulatory mechanisms and functions of SphK in HSCs during liver fibrosis are currently limited, this study aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism and connected pathways of SphK upon HSC activation. The expression of SphK1 was higher in HSCs than in hepatocytes, and upregulated in activated primary HSCs.

Amitriptyline nanoparticle repositioning prolongs the anti-allodynic effect of enhanced microglia targeting.

Amitriptyline (AMI) has been used to treat neuropathic pain. However, the clinical outcomes remain unsatisfactory, presumably due to a limited understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we investigated a drug repositioning strategy using a low-dose of AMI encapsulated in poly (D, L lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (AMI NPs) for neuropathic pain, since PLGA nanoparticles are known to enhance delivery to microglia.

Practical management of mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis: an international expert consensus.

Introduction: Although there are well-defined guidelines for the management of mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC), there are still unmet needs. For this reason, we conducted an international expert consensus to standardize the management of patients with mild-to-moderate UC and provide practical guidance to clinicians.

Areas Covered: Based on Delphi methodology, 15 statements were approved after two rounds of voting, addressing several aspects of disease management from sequencing to treatment duration, from monitoring to optimization techniques and safety profile.

Y-27632 enables long-term expansion of mouse submandibular gland epithelial cells via inactivation of TGF-β1/CTGF/p38 and ROCK2/JNK signaling pathway.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Y-27632 on the long-term maintainence of mouse submandibular epithelial cells (SG-Epis) in vitro and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: The role of the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 in maintaining SG-Epis and its underlying mechanisms were evaluated by examining the in vitro expansion of mouse SG-Epis. Changes in key cellular characteristics, such as proliferation, long-term expansion, and mRNA and protein expression, were assessed in the presence or absence of Y-27632.

Clinical performance of implant-assisted removable partial dentures using implant surveyed crowns: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of implant-assisted removable partial dentures (IARPD) with surveyed crowns, also known as implant-crown-retained removable partial dentures (ICRPDs).

Materials And Methods: Electronic searches of MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Web of Science, and the Korea Citation Index were performed according to the established search terms for ICRPD. A literature search was conducted for studies published in English or Korean until September 2023, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathogenesis of oral diseases.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for protein synthesis, transport, and folding, as well as calcium storage, lipid and steroid synthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) occurs when misfolded or unfolded proteins accumulate in the ER lumen due to increased protein secretion or impaired folding. While the role of ERS in disease pathogenesis has been widely studied, most research has focused on extraoral diseases, leaving the role of ERS in intraoral diseases unclear.

Clinical Efficacy of a Position-Responding Mandibular Advancement Device in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Objectives: Although mandibular advancement device (MAD) treatment is effective for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), some concerns remain regarding its potential therapeutic impact and side effects. Thus, we developed a novel MAD that auto-titrates depending on its position in patients with OSA. We conducted a clinical trial to determine the efficacy of an auto-titrating mandibular advancement device (AMAD) for treating OSA.

Role of Autophagy and AMPK in Cancer Stem Cells: Therapeutic Opportunities and Obstacles in Cancer.

Cancer stem cells represent a resilient subset within the tumor microenvironment capable of differentiation, regeneration, and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, often using dormancy as a shield. Their unique properties, including drug resistance and metastatic potential, pose challenges for effective targeting. These cells exploit certain metabolic processes for their maintenance and survival.

Demineralized Dentin Matrix Incorporated with rhBMP-2 Composite Graft for Treating Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) is characterized by bone exposure in the oral and maxillofacial region for more than eight weeks in patients treated with anti-resorptive agents, immunosuppressants, or anti-angiogenic agents, without prior radiation therapy or metastatic disease to the jaws. Conservative treatments can control infection in mild cases, but surgical intervention is necessary for patients with severe symptoms. A 78-year-old female with a history of bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis presented with persistent pain, swelling, and malodor following implant placement in the upper right maxilla.

Effects of seasonal management programs on PM in Seoul and Beijing using DN-PMF: Collaborative efforts from the Korea-China joint research.

South Korea and China have implemented increasingly stringent mitigation measures to reduce the health risks from PM exposure, jointly conducting a ground-based air quality observation study in Northeast Asia. Dispersion normalized positive matrix factorization (DN-PMF) was used to identify PM sources in Seoul and Beijing and assess the effectiveness of the seasonal management programs (SMPs) through a comparative study. Samples were collected during three periods: January-December 2019, September 2020-May 2021, and July 2021-March 2022.

Astrocyte-derived dominance winning reverses chronic stress-induced depressive behaviors.

Individuals with low social status are at heightened risk of major depressive disorder (MDD), and MDD also influences social status. While the interrelationship between MDD and social status is well-defined, the behavioral causality between these two phenotypes remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the behavioral relationships between depressive and dominance behaviors in male mice exposed to chronic restraint stress and the role of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) astrocytes in these behaviors.

Analysis of the relationship between body imbalance characteristics and physical ability in air force cadets: physical function and gravity acceleration resistance.

Air Force pilots and some athletes (e.g., in sledding sports) are frequently exposed to high G-forces.

Heat-killed Lancefieldella Rimae Induces Bone Resorption by Promoting Osteoclast Differentiation.

Introduction: Apical periodontitis, mainly caused by bacterial infection in the dental pulp, is often accompanied by abscess, periapical inflammation, and alveolar bone loss. Lancefieldella rimae has been detected in the root canals of patients with apical periodontitis. Here, we investigated whether L.

Effects of no-ozone cold plasma and mouse mesenchymal stem cell treatments on wound healing in a mouse skin model.

Skin wounds heal faster during stem cell differentiation. Cold plasma reportedly enhances cell proliferation and differentiation and enhances the efficacy of stem cell therapy. However, the exact mechanism of action involved remains unknown.

NEGR1 Modulates Mouse Affective Discrimination by Regulating Adult Olfactory Neurogenesis.

Background: Affective recognition and sensory processing are impaired in people with autism. However, no mouse model of autism comanifesting these symptoms is available, thereby limiting the exploration of the relationship between affective recognition and sensory processing in autism and the molecular mechanisms involved.

Methods: With mice, we conducted the affective state discrimination test and an odor habituation/dishabituation test.

Comparative study of axial displacement in digital and conventional implant prosthetic components.

Axial displacement of prosthetic components is a major concern in implant dentistry, particularly during screw tightening. However, implant manufacturers provide different recommended torques for tightening implant prosthetic components, which can lead to errors in prosthesis fit before and after impression making. Implant-abutment connection angle or abutment geometries can affect axial displacement.

Variation in immunoglobulin use and impact on survival in myeloma.

Serious infection is common in patients with multiple myeloma due to immune deficiency from the underlying disease and/or its treatment. Immunoglobulin replacement is one approach to reduce infection risk in these patients. However, few real-world data exist on its use in patients with myeloma.