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Inorganic–organic hybrid materials have promising properties for bone repair because of the covalent bonding between their inorganic and organic phases. This desirable interaction allows the limitations of composite materials, such as inhomogeneous biodegradation rates and nonbiointeractive surfaces, to be overcome. In this study, a polycaprolactone (PCL)-based polyurethane (PU) with an organosilane functional group was synthesized for the first time. Thereafter, a biodegradable PU-silica hybrid was produced through the sol-gel process. The PU-silica hybrid was not only flexible and fully biodegradable but also possessed shape memory ability. In addition, allophanate bonding enabled the silane coupling agent to induce increased crosslinking between the polymer and silica network, as well as between polymer and polymer. Accordingly, the sol-to-gel gelation time required to produce the hybrids was very short, which allowed the production of 3D porous hybrid scaffolds through a simple salt-leaching process. A hybrid scaffold with a 30 wt. % silica composition was the most ideal bone regenerative scaffold since it was able to withstand thermal deformation with promising mechanical properties. Moreover, the hybrid scaffold induced osteogenic differentiation and angiogenesis to accelerate bone regeneration.

Herein, a Schiff base ligand FHE was synthesized by condensing 5-allyl-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, a eugenol derivative, with the derivative furan-2-carbohydrazide.

The prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is affected by invasion and metastasis. Leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LARS) was shown to be related to the growth and migration of lung cancer cells. Dickkopf 4 (DKK4) is known as a Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor, and its upregulation was reported in several cancers. However, the clinical significance of LARS and DKK4 in human CRC has not been clearly defined. We investigated the expression of LARS and DKK4 by immunohistochemical staining in tissue microarrays from 642 primary CRC patients and analyzed the relationship between their expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of CRC patients. LARS and DKK4 expressions were not related to gender, age at surgery, histologic grade, size, tumor location, tumor invasion, or metastasis, but LARS expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage, N stage, and lymph node metastasis. DKK4 expression was inversely related to the TNM stage and N stage. Survival analysis demonstrated that the OS and DFS in the LARS high expression group were not different compared to the LARS low expression group. OS and DFS in the DKK4 high expression group were significantly higher than in the DKK4 low expression group. In addition, OS and DFS in the group with the combination of the LARS high/DKK4 low expression were significantly lower than in the LARS high/DKK4 high expression group. The low expression of DKK4 alone can be used as a predictor of relapse in CRC patients. In addition, DKK4 low expression in the case of LARS high expression can be used as a poor prognostic factor in CRC patients. Thus, our findings suggest that DKK4 alone or in combination with LARS at diagnosis may be a useful prognostic factor for CRC.

Inorganic–organic hybrid materials have promising properties for bone repair because of their covalent bonding between the inorganic and organic phases. This fine interaction allows us to overcome the limitations of composite materials, such as inhomogeneous biodegradation rates and non-biointeractive surfaces. In this study, a polycaprolactone (PCL)-based polyurethane (PU) with an organosilane functional group was synthesized for the first time. Thereafter, a biodegradable PU-silica hybrid was produced through a sol-gel process. The PU-silica hybrid was not only tough and flexible but also fully biodegradable. In addition to this, the urethane bonding enabled the silane coupling agent to increase crosslinking between the polymer and silica network, as well as between polymer to polymer. Accordingly, a rapid sol-to-gel gelation time was required to produce the hybrids, which allowed the production of 3D porous hybrid scaffolds through a simple salt-leaching process. A hybrid scaffold with 30 wt. % silica composition was the most ideal material for a bone regenerative scaffold since it was able to withstand thermal deformation with promising mechanical properties. Moreover, the hybrid scaffold induced osteogenic differentiation and angiogenesis, to accelerate bone regeneration.

Although mounting evidence has demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) can promote tumorigenesis, its role in cancer remains controversial. To find potential target molecules of PGC-1α, GeneFishingTM DEG (differentially expressed genes) screening was performed using stable HEK293 cell lines expressing PGC-1α (PGC-1α-HEK293). As results, leucyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (LARS1) was upregulated. Western blot analysis showed that LARS1 was increased in PGC-1α overexpressed SW480 cells but decreased in PGC-1α shRNA knockdown SW620 cells. Several studies have suggested that LARS1 can be a potential target of anticancer agents. However, the molecular network of PGC-1α and LARS1 in human colorectal cancer cells remains unclear. LARS1 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas LARS1 knockdown reduced them. We also observed that expression levels of cyclin D1, c-Myc, and vimentin were regulated by LARS1 expression. We aimed to investigate whether effects of PGC-1α on cell proliferation and invasion were mediated by LARS1. Our results showed that PGC-1α might modulate cell proliferation and invasion by regulating LARS1 expression. These results suggest that LARS1 inhibitors might be used as anticancer agents in PGC-1α-overexpressing colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed in the future to clarify the detailed molecular mechanism by which PGC-1α regulates LARS1 expression.

Background Early extubation success (ES) in preterm infants may reduce various mechanical ventilation-associated complications; however, extubation failure (EF) can cause adverse short- and long-term outcomes. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify differences in risk factors and clinical outcomes between ES and EF in very early preterm infants. Methods This retrospective study was conducted between January 2017 and December 2021. Premature infants born at 32 weeks’ gestational age in whom extubation had failed at least once were assigned to the EF group. Successfully extubated patients with a similar gestational age and birth weight as those in the EF group were assigned to the ES group. EF was defined as the need for re-intubation within 120 h of extubation. Various variables were compared between groups. Results The EF rate in this study was 18.6% (24/129), and approximately 80% of patients with EF required re-intubation within 90.17 h. In the ES group, there was less use of inotropes within 7 days of life (12 [63.2%] vs. 22 [91.7%], p = 0.022), a lower respiratory severity score (RSS) at 1 and 4 weeks (1.72 vs. 2.5, p = 0.026; 1.73 vs. 2.92, p = 0.010), and a faster time to reach full feeding (18.7 vs. 29.7, p = 0.020). There was a higher severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia BPD (3 [15.8%] vs. 14 [58.3%], p = 0.018), longer duration of oxygen supply (66.5 vs. 92.9, p = 0.042), and higher corrected age at discharge (39.6 vs. 42.5, p = 0.043) in the EF group. The cutoff value, sensitivity, and specificity of the respiratory severity score (RSS) at 1 week were 1.98, 0.71, and 0.42, respectively, and the cutoff value, sensitivity, and specificity of RSS at 4 weeks were 2.22, 0.67, and 0.47, respectively. Conclusions EF caused adverse short-term outcomes such as a higher BPD severity and longer hospital stay. Therefore, extubation in very early preterm infants should be carefully evaluated. Using inotropes, feeding, and RSS at 1 week of age can help predict extubation success.

Kyung Yie Park (박경이)* , Su Jeong Park (박수정)**, Jin Sun Lim (임진선)*** Abstra

Background The analysis of nail surface topography is a subject of ever-increasing interest in dermatology, especially in cosmetic studies. However, there is no accurate and scientifically sound instrumental method that can identify and provide quantitative data on nail surface topography. Materials and methods The right index fingers of 78 healthy individuals were examined. The severity of nail roughness was rated by two independent dermatologists on a scale of 1 to 3. Using the phaseshift rapid in vivo measurement of the skin (PRIMOS) system, three-dimensional microtopography was performed, and the roughness parameter values were calculated and evaluated. The relationship between clinical nail roughness grade and nail roughness parameter values obtained utilizing PRIMOS was evaluated. Results A moderate correlation was found between the roughness parameter values and the clinical roughness grade. Our study showed that an overall relationship exists between the nail roughness parameter values obtained using PRIMOS and clinically observed nail surface changes. Conclusion With further studies, PRIMOS could be a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers for conducting an accurate and objective patient assessment in daily practice and demonstrating effectiveness of different therapies for nail dystrophy or evaluating cosmetic effects of various topical treatments in future clinical trials.

Biodegradable polymer polylactide (PLA) can form stereocomplex crystals through racemic blending between poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA). This stereocomplexation could lead to sub...

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the leading cause of preventable physical and intellectual disabilities. This study aimed to assess the incidence and clinical characteristics of CH in newborns.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all newborns delivered at the Pusan National University Hospital between January 2011 and March 2021. The incidence of CH was compared according to gestational age, birth weight, and small for gestational age (SGA). The patients aged ≥3 years who could not maintain normal thyroid function and required levothyroxine treatment were diagnosed with permanent CH. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare CH risks.Results: Of 3,722 newborns, 40 were diagnosed with CH (1.07%). Gestational age and birth weight were significantly associated with CH incidence. The odds ratios (ORs) of CH in infants delivered at 32–37, 28–31, and

Tubular scaffolds have been commonly used for vascular stents, grafts, and replacement of the trachea. Common scaffolds are built from non-biodegradable synthetic polymers that have superior mechanical properties; these polymers include expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(ethylene terephthalate), and poly(urethane). Unfortunately, biodegradable polymers are rarely used for vascular scaffolds due to their inferior mechanical properties. To overcome the current limitations of biodegradable tubular scaffolds, a novel polymer melt-tube drawing (MD) process that allows the fabrication of biodegradable vascular scaffolds with high compressive strength has been developed. The machine designed for the MD process uses a combination of melt extrusion and tube-drawing. In comparison to the scaffold prepared by conventional techniques, the poly(lactide) tubular scaffold fabricated using the MD process showed improved compressive strength and recovery ability as well as a smooth surface. Furthermore, the MD-tube displayed extensive chain orientation and increased crystallinity. As a result, this novel MD process has the potential to permit fabrication of biodegradable vascular scaffolds with excellent mechanical properties. It provides an opportunity to greatly expand the application of biodegradable polymeric tubes.

Polylactide (PLA) is among the most common biodegradable polymers, with applications in various fields, such as renewable and biomedical industries. PLA features poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) enantiomers, which form stereocomplex crystals through racemic blending. PLA emerged as a promising material owing to its sustainable, eco-friendly, and fully biodegradable properties. Nevertheless, PLA still has a low applicability for drug delivery as a carrier and scaffold. Stereocomplex PLA (sc-PLA) exhibits substantially improved mechanical and physical strength compared to the homopolymer, overcoming these limitations. Recently, numerous studies have reported the use of sc-PLA as a drug carrier through encapsulation of various drugs, proteins, and secondary molecules by various processes including micelle formation, self-assembly, emulsion, and inkjet printing. However, concerns such as low loading capacity, weak stability of hydrophilic contents, and non-sustainable release behavior remain. This review focuses on various strategies to overcome the current challenges of sc-PLA in drug delivery systems and biomedical applications in three critical fields, namely anti-cancer therapy, tissue engineering, and anti-microbial activity. Furthermore, the excellent potential of sc-PLA as a next-generation polymeric material is discussed.

To increase the discrimination power of human identification in forensic and to evaluate expanded short tandem repeat (STR) loci, we examined a Korean sample population of 2000 unrelated individuals using both GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification kit and PowerPlex® Fusion System. Allele frequencies for the 20 STR loci (D3S1358, vWA, D16S539, CSF1PO, TPOX, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D2S441, D19S433, TH01, FGA, D22S1045, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D10S1248, D1S1656, D12S391, and D2S1338) were calculated. Allele frequencies of the 20 STR loci would be useful for personal identification and paternity testing in forensics and as a standard reference database in Korea.

Background: Baicalin, isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting expression of cell adhesion molecules and migration of leukocytes in vascular cells. However, there is a limited evidence on its anti-inflammatory effect in hyperglycemia-associated milieu in other cells. Hyperglycemia and its associated factors are known to induce diabetic nephropathy by exacerbating inflammation, especially, in proximal convoluted tubule. Herein, we investigated whether baicalin exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects on human renal proximal tubular cells in hyperglycemia induced conditions. Method: HK-2 cell was maintained in normal glycemic (5.78mM glucose) or in hyperglycemic (30mM glucose) condition with or without advanced glycation end-products (AGE) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). In each condition, baicalin was treated at 10uM. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Gene and protein expression of multiple inflammatory and fibrosis markers including toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4, fibronectin, collagen IV α1 (ColIVα1), collagen IV α2 (ColIVα2), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), and vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) were evaluated by PCR and WB, respectively. Results: Baicalin had no effect on cell viability. Baicalin significantly decreased gene expression of ColIVα2 in response to TNFα stimulation in normal glycemic condition (p=0.038). In hyperglycemic condition, baicalin decreased gene expressions of ICAM1 (p=0.049) and VCAM1 (p=0.049) significantly in AGE treated cells; and it significantly decreased gene expressions of TGFβ (p=0.038) and ICAM1 (p=0.017) in TNFα treated cells. Baicalin also decreased protein expression of ICAM1 in response to AGE (p=0.048) and TNFα (p=0.040) stimulation in hyperglycemic condition. Conclusion: Baicalin attenuated fibrosis process by hyperglycemia associated factors in HK-2 cell. Disclosure J. Nam: None. J. Kim: None. K. Park: None. S. Lee: None. J. Nam: None. J. Park: None. S. Park: None. Y. Kim: None. C. Ahn: None.

Objective: FSTL1, an extracellular glycoprotein, is a novel myokine that is secreted by skeletal muscle. However, its functions in metabolism remain unclear, Adipose tissue is one of the important organs for maintaining energy homeostasis. FSTL1 is known to induce inflammatory response and inhibit insulin-mediated Akt signaling pathway, we aimed to investigate whether FSTL1 play metabolic roles in human adipose tissue. We hypothesized that FSTL1 increases lipolysis through its putative receptor DIP2A (Disco interacting protein 2 homolog A). Methods: Human primary adipocytes were treated with recombinant FSTL1 in dose and time dependent manner. To determine its lipolytic activity, pHSL ser563,565,660, perilipin, AMPK, PKA were determined by western blot and the rate of free fatty acid was assessed. Expression of DIP2A was determined by PCR and western blot. DIP2A was knocked-down to examine whether it mediates metabolic effects of FSTL1. Results: FSTL1 did not affect catecholamine-induced lipolysis via PKA. FSTL1, however, increased lipolysis through AMPK activation and, subsequently, HSL ser565 phosphorylation in dose dependent manner. It was found that DIP2A expression did not change during differentiation of human primary adipocyte, suggesting that it is not involved in adipocyte maturation. Conclusion: FSTL1 increased basal lipolysis through AMPK activation. AMPK is well known sensor of the intracellular energy state and serves to regulate various signals. Its activation provides ATP by FA oxidation. Therefore, FSTL1 may play an important in the regulation of energy homeostasis. FSTL1 also has effect through DIP2A. These findings suggest that DIP2A plays important roles in FSTL1 mediated lipolysis. Disclosure C. Ahn: None. A. Choi: None. J. Kim: None. K. Park: None. S. Lee: None. J. Nam: None. S. Park: None. M. Kim: None. Y. Kim: None. J. Nam: None. S. Kang: None. J. Park: None.

Recently, intermittent fasting, also known as time-restricted eating (TRE), has become a popular diet trend. Compared to animal studies, there have been few studies and inconclusive findings investigating the effects of TRE in humans. In this study, we examined the effects of 8 h TRE on body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults who were mainly active at night. A total of 33 young adults completed the 8 h TRE for 4 weeks. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline and every 2 weeks, and blood samples were collected at baseline and week 4. Daily dietary records were logged throughout the intervention period. Participants experienced significant changes in body weight (−1.0 ± 1.4 kg), body mass index (−0.4 ± 0.5 kg/m2), and body fat (−0.4 ± 1.9%) after 4 weeks of TRE. When participants were divided into weight loss/gain groups based on their weight change in week 4, fat mass reduction was significantly higher in the weight loss group than in the weight gain group. Regarding cardiometabolic risk factors, levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance improved in the weight loss group after intervention, but not in the weight gain group. All subjects showed late-shifted sleeping patterns, but no significant differences in sleep duration, sleep quality, or psychological measures between the two groups. When meal frequency and energy proportion were evaluated, the average meal frequency was 2.8 ± 0.5 and energy proportions of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks were 4.5, 39.2, 37.6, and 18.5%, respectively, there were no significant differences between the two groups. However, the saturated fat intake at dinner was lower in the weight loss group (3.1 ± 3.2%, 6.0 ± 2.5% respectively). In conclusion, 8 h TRE can be applied as a lifestyle strategy to manage body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors among young adults with late chronotypes.