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Proinflammatory cytokine plays a central role in host defense and acute inflammatory responses. Both positive and negative correlations of NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways have been reported depending on cell types in response to inflammatory stimuli for IL-6 cytokine production. Macrophages are vital to the regulation of immune responses and the development of inflammation, but the crosstalk between two pathways has not been elucidated so far in macrophages. We observed a positive cross-regulation between the NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways for IL-6 production in human macrophages. To verify the functional validity of this interaction, LY294002 or PNU74654, representative blockers of each pathway, were treated. IL-6 secretion was reduced to the basal level by both inhibitor treatments, even when stimulated by LPS. We also found that NF-κB p65 migrated to the nucleus and interacted with the transcription factor TCF-4 in macrophages upon LPS stimulation.

Abstract Background Accurate age estimation is vital for clinical and forensic purposes. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence(AI) technologies, traditional methods relying on tooth development, while reliable, can be enhanced by leveraging deep learning, particularly neural networks. This study evaluated the efficiency of an AI model by applying the entire panoramic image for age estimation. The outcome performances were analyzed through supervised learning (SL) models. Methods Total of 27,877 dental panorama images from 5 to 90 years of age were classified by 2 types of grouping. In type 1 they were classified by each age and in type 2, applying heuristic grouping, the age over 20 years were classified by every 5 years. Wide ResNet (WRN) and DenseNet (DN) were used for supervised learning. In addition, the analysis with ± 3 years of deviation in both types were performed. Results For the DN model, while the type 1 grouping achieved an accuracy of 0.1016 and F1 score of 0.058, the type 2 achieved an accuracy of 0.3146 and F1 score of 0.2027. Incorporating ± 3years of deviation, the accuracy of type 1 and 2 were 0.281, 0.7323 respectively; and the F1 score were 0.1768, 0.6583 respectively. For the WRN model, while the type 1 grouping achieved an accuracy of 0.1041 and F1 score of 0.0599, the type 2 achieved an accuracy of 0.3182 and F1 score of 0.2071. Incorporating ± 3years of deviation, the accuracy of type 1 and 2 were 0.2716, 0.7323 respectively; and the F1 score were 0.1709, 0.6437 respectively. Conclusions The application of entire panorama image data for supervised with classification by heuristics grouping with ± 3years of deviation for supervised learning models and demonstrated satisfactory outcome for the age estimation.

Introduction: Prohibitin (PHB) is an essential scaffold protein that modulates signaling pathways controlling cell survival, metabolism, inflammation, and bone formation. However, its specific role in periodontium development remains less understood. This study aims to elucidate the expression pattern and function of PHB in periodontium development and its involvement in alveolar bone formation.Methods: Immunolocalization of PHB in the periodontium of postnatal (PN) mice were examined. Phb morpholino was micro-injected into the right-side mandible at PN5, corresponding to the position where the alveolar bone process forms in relation to the lower first molar. The micro-injection with a scramble control (PF-127) and the left-side mandibles were used as control groups. Five days post-micro-injection, immunohistochemical analysis and micro-CT evaluation were conducted to assess bone mass and morphological changes. Additionally, expression patterns of signaling molecules were examined following Phb downregulation using 24-h in vitro cultivation of developing dental mesenchyme at E14.5.Results: The immunostaining of PHB showed its localization in the periodontium at PN5, PN8, and PN10. The in vitro cultivation of dental mesenchyme resulted in alterations in Bmps, Runx2, and Wnt signalings after Phb knock-down. At 5 days post-micro-injection, Phb knocking down showed weak immunolocalizations of runt-related transcription factor (RUNX2) and osteocalcin (OCN). However, knocking down Phb led to histological alterations characterized by decreased bone mass and stronger localizations of Ki67 and PERIOSTIN in the periodontium compared 1 to control groups. The micro-CT evaluation showed decreased bone volume and increased PDL space in the Phb knock-down specimens, suggesting its regulatory role in bone formation.Discussion: The region-specific localization of PHB in the margin where alveolar bone forms suggests its involvement in alveolar bone formation and the differentiation of the periodontal ligament. Overall, our findings suggest that Phb plays a modulatory role in alveolar bone formation by harmoniously regulating bone-forming-related signaling molecules during periodontium development.

Speckle noise in ultrasound images (UIs) significantly reduces the accuracy of disease diagnosis. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate its feasibility in salivary gland ultrasound imaging by modeling the adaptive non-local means (NLM) algorithm. UIs were obtained using an open-source device provided by SonoSkills and FUJIFILM Healthcare Europe. The adaptive NLM algorithm automates optimization by modeling the isotropic search window, eliminating the need for manual configuration in conventional NLM methods. The coefficient of variation (COV), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and edge rise distance (ERD) were used as quantitative evaluation parameters. UIs of the salivary glands revealed evident visualization of the internal echo shape of the malignant tumor and calcification line using the adaptive NLM algorithm. Improved COV and CNR results (approximately 4.62 and 2.15 times, respectively) compared with noisy images were achieved. Additionally, when the adaptive NLM algorithm was applied to the UIs of patients with salivary gland sialolithiasis, the noisy images and ERD values were calculated almost similarly. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the applicability of the adaptive NLM algorithm in optimizing search window parameters for salivary gland UIs.

Quantum dot organic solar cells (QD‐OSCs) have received considerable attention because of the luminescent property of QDs and the good miscibility due to the organic ligand in the shell. However, the use of Cd‐ or Pb‐based QDs is limited due to toxicity. Hence, Zn–Cu–In–S/ZnS QDs (ZQs) as nontoxic QDs are used in this study for the light‐amplification layer (LAL), consisting of sub‐donor (sub‐D, D18‐Cl) and QDs. The LAL applied between the hole transfer layer (HTL) and bulk heterojunction (BHJ, PM6:BTP‐eC9), ensurs effective photon amplification and high morphological stability. In particular, the ligands of ZQs constituting LAL interact with D18‐Cl and PM6:BTP‐eC9 to align molecular orientation and improve interface contact. The sub‐D/BHJ structure in which sub‐D and BHJ are introduced by layer‐by‐layer (LBL) coating method solves problems such as morphology degradation and stability degradation due to the complexity of existing ternary system. The sub‐D/BHJ, an effective ternary structure, shows a higher performance (17.06%) than the BHJ system (16.66%). Meanwhile, the LAL/BHJ shows not only the highest performance of 17.6% but also outstanding stability (93.6% after 1000 h). This study demonstrates effective energy harvesting through QDs and introduces an optimal QD‐OSCs structure strategy for high‐efficiency, high‐stability OSCs.

Noise and blurring in light microscope images are representative factors that affect accurate identification of cellular and subcellular structures in biological research. In this study, a method for l1-norm-based blind deconvolution after noise reduction with non-subsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) was designed and applied to a light microscope image to analyze its feasibility. The designed NSCT-based algorithm first separated the low- and high-frequency components. Then, the restored microscope image and the deblurred and denoised images were compared and evaluated. In both the simulations and experiments, the average coefficient of variation (COV) value in the image using the proposed NSCT-based algorithm showed similar values compared to the denoised image; moreover, it significantly improved the results compared with that of the degraded image. In particular, we confirmed that the restored image in the experiment improved the COV by approximately 2.52 times compared with the deblurred image, and the NSCT-based proposed algorithm showed the best performance in both the peak signal-to-noise ratio and edge preservation index in the simulation. In conclusion, the proposed algorithm was successfully modeled, and the applicability of the proposed method in light microscope images was proved based on various quantitative evaluation indices.

Introduction: During tooth development, proper protein folding and trafficking are significant processes as newly synthesized proteins proceed to form designated tissues. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs inevitably in tooth development as unfolded and misfolded proteins accumulate in ER. 4-Phenylbutyric acid (4PBA) is a FDA approved drug and known as a chemical chaperone which alleviates the ER stress. Recently, several studies showed that 4PBA performs therapeutic effects in some genetic diseases due to misfolding of proteins, metabolic related-diseases and apoptosis due to ER stress. However, the roles of 4PBA during odontogenesis are not elucidated. This study revealed the effects of 4PBA during molar development in mice.Methods: We employed in vitro organ cultivation and renal transplantation methods which would mimic the permanent tooth development in an infant period of human. The in vitro cultivated tooth germs and renal calcified teeth were examined by histology and immunohistochemical analysis.Results and Discussion: Our results revealed that treatment of 4PBA altered expression patterns of enamel knot related signaling molecules, and consequently affected cellular secretion and patterned formation of dental hard tissues including dentin and enamel during tooth morphogenesis. The alteration of ER stress by 4PBA treatment during organogenesis would suggest that proper ER stress is important for pattern formation during tooth development and morphogenesis, and 4PBA as a chemical chaperone would be one of the candidate molecules for dental and hard tissue regeneration.

Periodontitis is an excessive inflammatory event in tooth-supporting tissues and can cause tooth loss. We used erythropoietin (EPO), which has been reported to play an important role in bone healing and modulation of angiogenesis, as a therapeutic agent in vivo and in vitro experimental models to analyze its effect on periodontitis. First, EPO was applied to in vitro MC3T3-E1 cells and human periodontal ligament fibroblast (hPDLF) cells to examine its function in altered cellular events and gene expression patterns. In vitro cultivation of MC3T3-E1 and hPDLF cells with 10 IU/ml EPO at 24 and 48 h showed an obvious increase in cell proliferation. Interestingly, EPO treatment altered the expression of osteogenesis-related molecules, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteocalcin (OC) in MC3T3-E1 cells but not in hPDLF cells. In particular, MC3T3-E1 cells showed increased expression of ALP, BMP-2, and OC on day 5, while hPDLF cells showed increased expression of BMP-2, and OC on day 14. Based on the in vitro examination, we evaluated the effect of EPO on bone formation using an experimentally-induced animal periodontitis model. After the induction of periodontitis in the maxillary left second M, 10 IU/ml of EPO was locally applied to the extraction tooth sockets. Histomorphological examination using Masson’s trichrome (MTC) staining showed facilitated bone formation in the EPO-treated groups after 14 days. Similarly, stronger positive reactions against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OC) were detected in the EPO-treated group compared to the control. Meanwhile, myeloperoxidase, an inflammatory marker, was decreased in the EPO-treated group on days 1 and 5. Overall, EPO facilitates bone healing and regeneration through altered signaling regulation and modulation of inflammation in the osteoblast cell lineage and to a lesser extent in hPDLF cells.

Objective Transgenic hens hold a great promise to produce various valuable proteins. Through virus transduction into stage X embryo, the transgene expression under the control of constructed chicken ovalbumin promoters has been successfully achieved. However, a validation system that can evaluate differently developed ovalbumin promoters in in vitro, remains to be developed. Methods In the present study, chicken oviduct epithelial cells (cOECs) were isolated from oviduct tissue and shortly cultured with keratinocyte complete medium supplemented with chicken serum. The isolated cells were characterized with immunofluorescence, western blot, and flow cytometry using oviduct-specific marker. Chicken mutated ovalbumin promoter (Mut-4.4-kb-pOV) was validated in these cells using luciferase reporter analysis. Results The isolated cOECs revealed that the oviduct-specific marker, ovalbumin protein, was clearly detected by immunofluorescence, western blot, and flow cytometry analysis revealed that approximately 79.40% of the cells contained this protein. Also, luciferase reporter analysis showed that the constructed Mut-4.4-kb-pOV exhibited 7.1-fold (p

Background: We aimed to investigate the effects of a community-based senior musical program on the cognitive and physical functions in older women. Method: Older women aged ≥65 years participating in a program at a community welfare center were randomized to experimental (n = 17) or control (n = 17) groups. The control group participated in singing and yoga classes offered at the welfare center, while the experimental group participated in a senior musical program consisting of vocal training, dancing, and breathing training. The effects of the 12-week program (120 min/session, two sessions/week) and the intergroup differences in outcomes were compared using the cognitive impairment screening test (CIST), pulmonary function test (PFT), respiratory muscle pressure test (RPT), and static and dynamic balance tests. Result: The experimental group showed significant post-intervention changes in CIST scores, cardiorespiratory parameters, and static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05), but the control group only showed significant changes in some respiratory and balance parameters (p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the experimental group showed significantly greater post-intervention changes in the CIST score, PFT and RPT parameters, static balance, and Y-balance anterior (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The senior musical program enhanced older women’s cognitive, respiratory, and physical functions and promoted a sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction.

For hard tissue formation, cellular mechanisms, involved in protein folding, processing, and secretion play important roles in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In pathological and regeneration conditions, ER stress hinders proper formation and secretion of proteins, and tissue regeneration by unfolded protein synthesis. 4-Phenylbutyric acid (4PBA) is a chemical chaperone that alleviates ER stress through modulation in proteins folding and protein trafficking. However, previous studies about 4PBA only focused on the metabolic diseases rather than on hard tissue formation and regeneration. Herein, we evaluated the function of 4PBA in dentin regeneration using an exposed pulp animal model system via a local delivery method as a drug repositioning strategy. Our results showed altered morphological changes and cellular physiology with histology and immunohistochemistry. The 4PBA treatment modulated the inflammation reaction and resolved ER stress in the early stage of pulp exposure. In addition, 4PBA treatment activated blood vessel formation and TGF-β1 expression in the dentin-pulp complex. Micro-computed tomography and histological examinations confirmed the facilitated formation of the dentin bridge in the 4PBA-treated specimens. These results suggest that proper modulation of ER stress would be an important factor for secretion and patterned formation in dentin regeneration.

ABSTRACT: A surrogate eggshell incubation system is a well-defined method to apply to avian genetic modification. In this study, we tried to investigate whether the egg weight differences between donor and surrogate eggs have an effect on donor viability. The groups were divided by egg weight differences between the donor and surrogate eggs into 4 in each system. The viability at d 4 was evaluated at the end of System II, the embryos alive were transferred into the second surrogate eggshells, and the viability at d 5, 6 was evaluated at early phase of System III. Then, the viability of System III was evaluated at different incubation period: d 6–12, d 13–18, d 19–21, and hatching rate was evaluated at d 22. Although the effect of egg weight differences between the donor and surrogate eggs was not observed, a specific group in System III showed higher survival and hatching rate than other group (P > 0.05).

BackgroundCo-circulation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory viruses, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can be a severe threat to public health. The accurate detection and differentiation of these viruses are essential for clinical laboratories. Herein, we comparatively evaluated the performance of the Kaira COVID-19/Flu/RSV Detection Kit (Kaira; Optolane, Seongnam, Korea) for detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV in nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) specimens with that of the PowerChek SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A&B, RSV Multiplex Real-time PCR Kit (PowerChek; Kogene Biotech, Seoul, Korea).MethodsA total of 250 archived NPS specimens collected for routine clinical testing were tested in parallel by the Kaira and PowerChek assays. RNA standards were serially diluted and tested by the Kaira assay to calculate the limit of detection (LOD).ResultsThe positive and negative percent agreements between the Kaira and PowerChek assays were as follows: 100% (49/49) and 100% (201/201) for SARS-CoV-2; 100% (50/50) and 99.0% (198/200) for influenza A; 100% (50/50) and 100% (200/200) for influenza B; and 100% (51/51) and 100% (199/199) for RSV, respectively. The LODs of the Kaira assay for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV were 106.1, 717.1, 287.3, and 442.9 copies/mL, respectively.ConclusionsThe Kaira assay showed comparable performance to the PowerChek assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV in NPS specimens, indicating that the Kaira assay could be a useful diagnostic tool when these viruses are co-circulating.

Apigenin, a natural product belonging to the flavone class, affects various cell physiologies, such as cell signaling, inflammation, proliferation, migration, and protease production. In this study, apigenin was applied to mouse molar pulp after mechanically pulpal exposure to examine the detailed function of apigenin in regulating pulpal inflammation and tertiary dentin formation. In vitro cell cultivation using human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and in vivo mice model experiments were employed to examine the effect of apigenin in the pulp and dentin regeneration. In vitro cultivation of hDPSCs with apigenin treatment upregulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)- and osteogenesis-related signaling molecules such as BMP2, BMP4, BMP7, bone sialoprotein (BSP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OCN) after 14 days. After apigenin local delivery in the mice pulpal cavity, histology and cellular physiology, such as the modulation of inflammation and differentiation, were examined using histology and immunostainings. Apigenin-treated specimens showed period-altered immunolocalization patterns of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), NESTIN, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 at 3 and 5 days. Moreover, the apigenin-treated group showed a facilitated dentin-bridge formation with few irregular tubules after 42 days from pulpal cavity preparation. Micro-CT images confirmed obvious dentin-bridge structures in the apigenin-treated specimens compared with the control. Apigenin facilitated the reparative dentin formation through the modulation of inflammation and the activation of signaling regulations. Therefore, apigenin would be a potential therapeutic agent for regenerating dentin in exposed pulp caused by dental caries and traumatic injury.

Grounding is a therapeutic technique that involves doing activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect us to the earth. The physiological effects of grounding have been reported from a variety of perspectives such as sleep or pain. However, its anti-stress efficacy is relatively unknown. The present study investigated the stress-related behavioral effects of earthing mat and its neurohormonal mechanisms in the Sprague–Dawley male rat. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: the naïve normal (Normal), the 21 days immobilization stressed (Control), the 21 days stressed + earthing mat for 7 days (A7) or 21 days (A21) group. The depressive-and anxiety like behaviors were measured by forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and elevated plus maze (EPM). Using immunohistochemistry, the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and c-Fos immunoreactivity were analyzed in the brain. In the EPM, time spent in the open arm of the earthing mat groups was significantly increased compared to the Control group (p < 0.001), even though there were without effects among groups in the FST and TST. The expression of CRF immunoreactive neurons in the earthing mat group was markedly decreased compared to the Control group. Overall, the earthing mat reduced stress-induced behavioral changes and expression of c-Fos and CRF immunoreactivity in the brain. These results suggest that the earthing mat may have the potential to improve stress-related responses via the regulation of the corticotrophinergic system.

ABSTRACT: Virus injection into EGK-X embryos is a well-defined approach in avian transgenesis. This system uses a chicken ovalbumin gene promoter to induce transgene expression in the chicken oviduct. Although a reconstructed chicken ovalbumin promoter that links an ovalbumin promoter and estrogen-responsive enhancer element (ERE) is useful, a large viral vector containing the ovalbumin promoter and a target gene restricts viral packaging capacity and produces low-titer virus particles. We newly developed recombinant chicken promoters by linking regulatory regions of ovalbumin and other oviduct-specific genes. Putative enhancer fragments of the genes, such as ovotransferrin (TF), ovomucin alpha subunit (OVOA), and ovalbumin-related protein X (OVALX), were placed at the 5`-flanking region of the 2.8-kb ovalbumin promoter. Basal promoter fragments of the genes, namely, pTF, lysozyme (pLYZ), and ovomucoid (pOVM), were placed at the 3`-flanking region of the 1.6-kb ovalbumin ERE. The recombinant promoters cloned into each reporter vector were evaluated using a dual luciferase assay in human and chicken somatic cells, and LMH/2A cells treated with 0-1,000 nM estrogen, and cultured primary chicken oviduct cells. The recombinant promoters with linking ovalbumin and TF, OVOA, pOVM, and pLYZ regulatory regions had 2.1- to 19.5-fold (P < 0.05) higher luciferase activity than the reconstructed ovalbumin promoter in chicken oviduct cells. Therefore, recombinant promoters may be used to efficiently drive transgene expression in transgenic chickens.

miRNAs are conserved short non-coding RNAs that play a role in the modulation of various biological pathways during tissue and organ morphogenesis. In this study, the function of miRNA-221-3p in tooth development, through its loss or gain in function was evaluated. A variety of techniques were utilized to evaluate detailed functional roles of miRNA-221-3p during odontogenesis, including in vitro tooth cultivation, renal capsule transplantation, in situ hybridization, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Two-day in vitro tooth cultivation at E13 identified altered cellular events, including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, and cytoskeletal arrangement, with the loss and gain of miRNA-221-3p. qPCR analysis revealed alterations in gene expression of tooth-related signaling molecules, including β-catenin, Bmp2, Bmp4, Fgf4, Ptch1, and Shh, when inhibited with miRNA-221-3p and mimic. Also, the inhibition of miRNA-221-3p demonstrated increased mesenchymal localizations of pSMAD1/5/8, alongside decreased expression patterns of Shh and Fgf4 within inner enamel epithelium (IEE) in E13 + 2 days in vitro cultivated teeth. Moreover, 1-week renal transplantation of in vitro cultivated teeth had smaller tooth size with reduced enamel and dentin matrices, along with increased cellular proliferation and Shh expression along the Hertwig epithelial root sheath (HERS), within the inhibitor group. Similarly, in 3-week renal calcified teeth, the overexpression of miRNA-221-3p did not affect tooth phenotype, while the loss of function resulted in long and slender teeth with short mesiodistal length. This study provides evidence that a suitable level of miRNA-221-3p is required for the modulation of major signaling pathways, including Wnt, Bmp, and Shh, during tooth morphogenesis.

Introduction: Prohibitin (PHB) is an essential scaffold protein that modulates signaling pathways controlling cell survival, metabolism, inflammation, and bone formation. However, its specific role in periodontium development remains less understood. This study aims to elucidate the expression pattern and function of PHB in periodontium development and its involvement in alveolar bone formation. Methods: Immunolocalization of PHB in the periodontium of postnatal (PN) mice were examined. Phb morpholino wasmicro-injected into the right-side mandible at PN5, corresponding to the positionwhere the alveolar bone process forms in relation to the lower firstmolar. The micro-injectionwith a scramble control (PF-127) and the left-side mandibles were used as control groups. Five days post-micro-injection, immunohistochemical analysis and micro-CT evaluation were conducted to assess bone mass andmorphological changes. Additionally, expression patterns of signaling molecules were examined following Phb downregulation using 24-h in vitro cultivation of developing dental mesenchyme at E14.5. Results: The immunostaining of PHB showed its localization in the periodontium at PN5, PN8, and PN10. The in vitro cultivation of dental mesenchyme resulted in alterations in Bmps, Runx2, and Wnt signalings after Phb knock-down. At 5 days post-micro-injection, Phb knocking down showed weak immunolocalizations of runt-related transcription factor (RUNX2) and osteocalcin (OCN). However, knocking down Phb led to histological alterations characterized by decreased bone mass and stronger localizations of Ki67 and PERIOSTIN in the periodontium compared 1 to control groups. The micro-CT evaluation showed decreased bone volume and increased PDL space in the Phb knock-down specimens, suggesting its regulatory role in bone formation. Discussion: The region-specific localization of PHB in the margin where alveolar bone forms suggests its involvement in alveolar bone formation and the differentiation of the periodontal ligament. Overall, our findings suggest that Phb plays amodulatory role in alveolar bone formation by harmoniously regulating boneforming-related signaling molecules during periodontium development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo compare the image quality of acquired diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and computed DWI and evaluate the lesion detectability and likelihood of malignancy in these datasets.Materials and methodsThis prospective study was approved by our institutional review board. A total of 29 women (mean age, 43.5 years) underwent DWI between August 2018 and April 2019 for 32 breast cancers and 16 benign breast lesions. Three radiologists independently reviewed the acquired DWI with b-values of 1000 and 2000 s/mm2 (A-b1000 and A-b2000) and the computed DWI with a b-value of 2000 s/mm2 (C-b2000). Image quality was scored and compared between the three DWI datasets. Lesion detectability was recorded, and the lesion's likelihood for malignancy was scored using a five-point scale.ResultsThe A-b1000 images were superior to the A-b2000 and C-b2000 images in chest distinction, fat suppression, and overall image quality. The A-b2000 and C-b2000 images showed comparable scores for all image quality parameters. C-b2000 showed the highest values for lesion detection among all readers, although there was no statistical difference in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy between the DWI datasets. The malignancy scores of the DWI images were not significantly different among the three readers.ConclusionsA-b1000 DWI is suitable for breast lesion evaluations, considering its better image quality and comparable diagnostic values compared to that of A-b2000 and C-b2000 images. The additional use of computed high b-value DWI may have the potential to increase the detectability of breast masses.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Periodontitis, as chronic inflammatory destructive disease, is associated metabolic syndromes bidirectionally. Toothbrushing is an essential and important way to manage periodontitis through mechanical removal of biofilm at periodontal tissue. We aimed to assess the association between toothbrushing frequency and the prevalent NAFLD in nationally representative Korean adults. Among adults aged 19 years and older who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2010, a total of 6,352 subjects were analyzed. NAFLD was defined as fatty liver index ≥60. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). An inverse association between toothbrushing frequency and NAFLD was found. The adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of NALFD was 0.56 (0.35-0.91) in the group who performed toothbrushing ≥ 3 per day compared to the group that performed toothbrushing ≤ 1 per day. For those with toothbrushing frequency ≤1 per day, the adjusted OR (95% CIs) of NAFLD was 2.26 (1.22-4.19) in smokers and 4.52 (1.97-10.38) in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM), compared to those without the disease and with toothbrushing frequency ≥2 per day, respectively. Our results indicate that higher frequency of toothbrushing is inversely associated with NAFLD. As a modifiable oral habit, regular toothbrushing may be recommended to lower risk of NAFLD, especially in high risk groups such as smokers and diabetic patients.

Purpose Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nerve system, resulting in cumulative loss of motor function. Multiple sclerosis is induced through multiple mechanisms and is caused by inflammation and demyelination. This study aims to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of swimming exercise in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rats, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Methods EAE was induced by an intradermal injection of 50-μg purified myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 33–55 (MOG33-55) dissolved in 200-μL saline at the base of the tail. The rats in the swimming exercise group were made to swim for 30 minutes once pert a day for 26 consecutive days, starting 5 days after induction of EAE. To compare the effect of swimming exercise with interferon-β, a drug for multiple sclerosis, interferon-β was injected intraperitoneally into rats of the EAE-induced and interferon-β-treated group during the exercise period. Results Injection of MOG33-55 caused weight loss, decreased clinical disability score, and increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators in the lumbar spinal cord. Loss of motor function and weakness increased demyelination score. Swimming exercise suppressed demyelination and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators. These changes promoted recovery of EAE symptoms such as body weight loss, motor dysfunction, and weakness. Swimming exercise caused the same level of improvement as interferon-β treatment. Conclusions The results of this experiment suggest the possibility of swimming exercise in urological diseases that are difficult to treat. Swimming exercises can be considered for relief of symptom in incurable multiple sclerosis.

The identification of biomarkers of a living tissues is essentially required to understand specific functions of the cells. In previous study, we reported IGFBP 3 as one of the putative biomarkers, by showing specific expression at porcine spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) of early stage of porcine testis. In this study, we analyzed the expression of seven members of IGFBP family (IGFBPs) in SSCs and histological expression pattern of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), which plays a role on the growth promoting enzyme by cleavage of IGFBPs in testis of 5 days old pig. RT-PCR analysis showed that IGFBP 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 were expressed at high level specifically in porcine SSCs compared with whole testis. We performed immunohisotochemical staining of testis sections with PAPP-A and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) which are the known biomarkers for SSCs. We were not able to find co-expression of PAPP-A and PGP9.5; PAPP-A was expressed only in Sertoli cells and PGP9.5 expression was confirmed in spermatogonium. Additionally, we were able to confirm the GATA4 expression in Sertoli and Leydig cells as a regulator of Sertoli cell function was not detected PGP9.5 expressing cells, indicating indirect evidence of that cytolocalization of PAPP-A expression is limited in Sertoli cells. These results suggested that the PAPP-A expressed in Sertoli cells may play role on regulation of development and differentiation of testicular cells through the IGF axis in neonatal porcine testis.

Acute vascular rejection has been known as a main barrier occurring in a xenograted tissue of alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase knock-out (GalT KO) pig into a non-human primate (NHP). Adenosine which is a final metabolite following sequential hydrolysis of nucleotide by ecto-nucleotidases such as CD39 and CD73, act as a regulator of coagulation, and inflammation. Thus xenotransplantation of CD39 and CD73 expressing pig under the GalT KO background could lead to enhanced survival of recipient NHP. We constructed a human CD39 and CD73 expression cassette designed for endothelial cell-specific expression using porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD39/hCD73). We performed isolation of endothelial cells (pAEC) from aorta of 4 week-old GalT KO and membrane cofactor protein expressing pig (GalT-MCP/-MCP). We were able to verify that isolated cells were endothelial-like cells using immunofluorescence staining analysis with von Willebrand factor antibody, which is well known as an endothelial maker, and tubal formation assay. To find optimal condition for efficient transfection into pAEC, we performed transfection with GFP expression vector using four programs of nucleofection, M-003, U-023, W-023 and Y-022. We were able find that the program W-023 was optimal for pAEC with regard to viability and transfection efficiency by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy analyses. Finally, we were able to obtain GalT-MCP/-MCP/CD39/CD73 pAEC expressing CD39 and CD73 at levels of 33.3% and 26.8%, respectively. We suggested that pACE isolated from GalT-MCP/-MCP pig might be provided as a basic resource to understand biochemical and molecular mechanisms of the rejections and as an alternative donor cells to generate GalT-MCP/-MCP/CD39/CD73 pig expressing CD39 and CD73 at endothelial cells.

Background/purpose: The surgical extraction of impacted third molars (ITMs) is a common surgical procedure in dentistry. If prophylactic removal of ITMs is beneficial, however, is a still disputed issue. The aim of this study was to analysis the pathologic changes in impacted third molars (ITMs) and adjacent teeth according to patient age groups in the Korean population to determine if the prophylactic removal of ITMs is to be supported or not. Materials and methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent surgical extraction of impacted third molars was performed. The patients were divided into 5 groups according to their age. Each group was analyzed with respect to patients' chief complaints, specific pathologic conditions in ITMs, and the damage to adjacent teeth due to untreated ITMs. Results: In this study, 2883 impacted third molars in 1109 patients were analyzed. The most common patients' chief complaint was pain, and the frequency of pain was significantly higher in older age groups. The frequency and severity of pathologic changes in ITMs and adjacent second molars due to ITMs were increased with advancing age. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we conclude that the prophylactic removal of ITMs that have a higher probability of pathologic changes can be considered to be a reasonable treatment modality in younger patients to reduce morbidity resulting from surgical extraction compared with patients who attained advanced age. Keywords: impacted third molar, extraction, prophylactic removal, dental caries, periodontal disease

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing rapidly and requires different strategies to maintain immunization. In Korea, different COVID-19 vaccines are recommended and available for various populations, including healthcare workers (HCWs) at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We plan to evaluate the adverse events (AEs) and immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 vaccines in HCWs at a single center. This cohort study included HCWs fully vaccinated with either BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1. Blood samples were taken eight weeks after the second vaccination with both COVID-19 vaccines and six months after the second vaccination from participants with the BNT162b2 vaccine. The primary endpoint for immunogenicity was the serum neutralizing antibody responses eight weeks after vaccination. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of various AEs within 28 days of each vaccination. Between 16 March and 23 June 2021, 115 participants were enrolled (65 in the ChAdOx1 group and 50 in the BNT162b2 group). Significantly higher surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) inhibition was observed in participants vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 (mean (SD) 91.4 (9.68)%) than in those vaccinated with ChAdOx1 (mean (SD) 73.3 (22.57)%). The effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine was maintained across all age and gender categories. At six months after the second dose, serum antibody levels declined significantly in the BNT162b2 group. The main adverse events, including fever, myalgia, fatigue, and headache, were significantly higher in the ChAdOx1 group after the first dose, whereas, after the second dose, those AEs were significantly higher in the BNT162b2 group (p < 0.05). Two doses of either the ChAdOx1 or the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine resulted in very high seropositivity among the HCWs at our center. The quality of the antibody response, measured by sVNT inhibition, was significantly better with the BNT162b2 vaccine than with the ChAdOx1 vaccine. There was no significant association between neutralizing antibody response and AE after each vaccination in our cohort.

Genistein (4,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone) is abundant in various dietary vegetables, especially soybeans, and is known to have not only an estrogenic effect but also an antiadipogenic effect. Atorvastatin (dihydroxy monocarboxylic acid) is a statin used to prevent heart disease. Although genistein and atorvastatin have been reported to possess antiadipogenic effects, their combined effects are still unclear. The aim of the current study was to explore whether the combination of genistein and atorvastatin at low concentrations significantly suppresses adipogenesis in a murine preadipocyte cell line (3T3-L1) compared to treatment with genistein or atorvastatin alone. Our results showed that cotreatment with 50 µM genistein and 50 nM atorvastatin significantly suppressed preadipocyte differentiation, whereas when each compound was used alone, there was no inhibitory effect. Additionally, cotreatment with genistein and atorvastatin significantly downregulated adipogenic marker proteins, including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ). This is the first evidence of the combined antiadipogenic effects of genistein and atorvastatin. Although additional experiments are required, combinational treatment with genistein and atorvastatin may be an alternative treatment for menopause-associated lipid metabolic disorders and obesity.

The aim of this study was to identify inflammatory cytokines as salivary biomarkers for periodontal disease. The subjects were 33 Korean adults aged 23 to 71 years. Using a multiplexed bead immunoassay called Luminex, the levels of inflammatory cytokines related to periodontal disease were evaluated. Oral examination for periodontal disease and gingival bleeding was conducted. With these two independent variables, differences in inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by an independent t-test and age-adjusted ANCOVA. Among the subjects, 21 had periodontal disease and 12 were healthy subjects. The gingival bleeding status was classified into low and high levels. Among 13 inflammatory cytokines in saliva, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1α, and TNF-α were found to be significant biomarkers within the standard curve. The quantity of IL-1β was increased in subjects with high levels of gingival bleeding. IL-1α levels were increased in subjects with periodontal disease. After adjusting for age, the significant biomarkers for gingival bleeding and periodontal disease were IL-1β and IL-1α, respectively. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, IL-1β was confirmed as a significant biomarker. The sensitivity and specificity of IL-1β for predicting periodontitis were 88.24% and 62.5%, respectively. Therefore, IL-1 was found to be a significant biomarker for periodontal disease, and it could be used in the diagnosis of periodontal disease using saliva.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a disorder that can make swallowing difficult and reduce the quality of life. Recently, the number of patients with swallowing difficulty has been increasing; however, no comprehensive treatment for such patients has been developed. Various experimental animal models that mimic oropharyngeal dysphagia have been developed to identify appropriate treatments. This review aims to summarize the experimentally induced oropharyngeal dysphagia rodent models that can be used to provide a pathological basis for dysphagia. The selected studies were classified into those reporting dysphagia rodent models showing lingual paralysis by hypoglossal nerve injury, facial muscle paralysis by facial nerve injury, laryngeal paralysis by laryngeal and vagus nerve injury, and tongue dysfunction by irradiation of the head and neck regions. The animals used in each injury model, the injury method that induced dysphagia, the screening method for dysphagia, and the results are summarized. The use of appropriate animal models of dysphagia may provide adequate answers to biological questions. This review can help in selecting a dysphagia animal system tailored for the purpose of providing a possible solution to overcome dysphagia.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify levels of perception and performance of end-oflife care among nurses and to investigate correlations between perception and performance. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive survey included 321 nurses from a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea. The participants had at least 6 months of work experience and had been involved in end-of-life care at least once, in either ward or intensive care unit settings. A structured questionnaire was utilized to assess their perception and performance of endof-life care. Results: The mean score for perception of end-of-life care was 3.23±0.34, while the score for performance of end-of-life care was 3.08±0.34. There was a significant positive correlation between nurses’ perception of end-of-life care and their performance in this area (r=0.78, P＜0.001). Conclusion: It is necessary to change perceptions regarding end-of-life care and to develop systematic and standardized education programs including content such as assessing the hydration status of dying patients, evaluating mental aspects such as suicidal ideation, and providing spiritual care for nurses working in end-of-life departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we examined the bone healing capacity of Meox2, a homeobox gene that plays essential roles in the differentiation of a range of developing tissues, and identified its putative function in palatogenesis. We applied the knocking down of Meox2 in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts to examine the osteogenic potential of Meox2. Additionally, we applied in vivo periodontitis induced experiment to reveal the possible application of Meox2 knockdown for 1 and 2 weeks in bone healing processes. We examined the detailed histomorphological changes using Masson’s trichrome staining and micro-computed tomography evaluation. Moreover, we observed the localization patterns of various signaling molecules, including α-SMA, CK14, IL-1β, and MPO to examine the altered bone healing processes. Furthermore, we investigated the process of bone formation using immunohistochemistry of Osteocalcin and Runx2. On the basis of the results, we suggest that the knocking down of Meox2 via the activation of osteoblast and modulation of inflammation would be a plausible answer for bone regeneration as a gene therapy. Additionally, we propose that the purpose-dependent selection and application of developmental regulation genes are important for the functional regeneration of specific tissues and organs, where the pathological condition of tooth loss lesion would be.

Salivary secretory disorders are life-disrupting pathologic conditions with a high prevalence, especially in the geriatric population. Both patients and clinicians frequently feel helpless and get frustrated by the currently available therapeutic strategies, which consist mainly of palliative managements. Accordingly, to unravel the underlying mechanisms and to develop effective and curative strategies, several animal models have been developed and introduced. Experimental findings from these models have contributed to answer biological and biomedical questions. This review aims to provide various methodological considerations used for the examination of pathological fundamentals in salivary disorders using animal models and to summarize the obtained findings. The information provided in this review could provide plausible solutions for overcoming salivary disorders and also suggest purpose-specific experimental animal systems.

FUSE binding protein 1 (Fubp1), a regulator of the c-Myc transcription factor and a DNA/RNA-binding protein, plays important roles in the regulation of gene transcription and cellular physiology. In this study, to reveal the precise developmental function of Fubp1, we examined the detailed expression pattern and developmental function of Fubp1 during tooth morphogenesis by RT-qPCR, in situ hybridization, and knock-down study using in vitro organ cultivation methods. In embryogenesis, Fubp1 is obviously expressed in the enamel organ and condensed mesenchyme, known to be important for proper tooth formation. Knocking down Fubp1 at E14 for two days, showed the altered expression patterns of tooth development related signalling molecules, including Bmps and Fgf4. In addition, transient knock-down of Fubp1 at E14 revealed changes in the localization patterns of c-Myc and cell proliferation in epithelium and mesenchyme, related with altered tooth morphogenesis. These results also showed the decreased amelogenin and dentin sialophosphoprotein expressions and disrupted enamel rod and interrod formation in one- and three-week renal transplanted teeth respectively. Thus, our results suggested that Fubp1 plays a modulating role during dentinogenesis and amelogenesis by regulating the expression pattern of signalling molecules to achieve the proper structural formation of hard tissue matrices and crown morphogenesis in mice molar development.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression in organisms. Most mammalian miRNAs influence biological processes, including developmental changes, tissue morphogenesis and the maintenance of tissue identity, cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and metabolism. The miR-206-3p has been correlated with cancer; however, developmental roles of this miRNA are unclear. In this study, we examined the expression pattern and evaluated the developmental regulation of miR-206-3p during tooth morphogenesis using ex-vivo culture method. The expression pattern of miR-206-3p was examined in the epithelium and mesenchyme of developing tooth germ with stage-specific manners. Perturbation of the expression of miR-206-3p clearly altered expression patterns of dental-development–related signaling molecules, including Axin2, Bmp2, Fgf4, Lef1 and Shh. The gene expression complemented with change in cellular events including, apoptosis and proliferation which caused altered crown and pulp morphogenesis in renal-capsule–calcified teeth. Especially, mislocalization of β-Catenin and SMAD1/5/8 were observed alongside dramatic alterations in the expression patterns of Fgf4 and Shh. Overall, our data suggest that the miR-206-3p regulate the cellular physiology during tooth morphogenesis through modulation of the Wnt, Bmp, Fgf, and Shh signaling pathways to form proper tooth pulp and crown.

This study aimed to administer a Delphi panel survey and provide evidence for the development of a psychological intervention protocol for use after disasters in South Korea.A three-round Delphi survey was conducted. In all rounds, respondents answered open- or closed-ended questions regarding their views on i) the concept of disaster, ii) evaluation, iii) intervention, and iv) considerations in a disaster. Data from Round 1 were subjected to content analysis. In Round 2, items with content validity ratios (CVRs) greater than 0.49 were included, and in Round 3, items with a CVR≥0.38 were accepted.The response rates for the Delphi survey were high: 83% (n = 15, Round 1), 80% (n = 16, Round 2), and 86% (n = 24, Round 3). The data collected during this survey showed a need for a support system for children; for preventive strategies, including disaster readiness plans; for the protection of children's safety; and for the development of post-disaster psychosocial care.The panel experts reached a consensus regarding the steps they considered critical in post-disaster evaluation and intervention. The findings suggest a unified model for advancing the development of the Korean version of an intervention protocol for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events.