Abstract Background aims A previous study demonstrated that human umbilical cord blood–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCB-MSCs) have superior wound-healing activity compared with fibroblasts in ...vitro . However, wound healing in vivo is a complex process that involves multiple factors. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of hUCB-MSCs and fibroblasts on diabetic wound healing in vivo . This study especially focused on collagen synthesis and angiogenesis, which are considered to be the important factors affecting diabetic wound healing. Methods Porous polyethylene discs were loaded with either fibroblasts or hUCB-MSCs, and a third group, which served as a control, was not loaded with cells. The discs were then implanted in the back of diabetic mice. During the first and the second week after implantation, the discs were harvested, and collagen level and microvascular density were compared. Results In terms of collagen synthesis, the hUCB-MSC group showed the highest collagen level (117.7 ± 8.9 ng/mL), followed by the fibroblast group (83.2 ± 5.2 ng/mL) and the no-cell group (60.0 ± 4.7 ng/mL) in the second week after implantation. In terms of angiogenesis, the microvascular density in the hUCB-MSC group was 56.8 ± 16.4, which was much higher than that in the fibroblast group (14.3 ± 4.0) and the no-cell group (5.7 ± 2.1) in the second week after implantation. Conclusions These results demonstrate that hUCB-MSCs are superior to fibroblasts in terms of their effect on diabetic wound healing in vivo.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Bilirubin (BR) is a de novo synthesized metabolite of human cells. However, subcellular localization of BR in the different organelles of human cells has been largely unknown. Here, utilizing UnaG as ...a genetically encoded fluorescent BR sensor, we report the existence of relatively BR-enriched and BR-depleted microspaces in various cellular organelles of live cells. Our studies indicate that (i) the cytoplasmic facing membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the nucleus are relatively BR-enriched spaces and (ii) mitochondrial intermembrane space and the ER lumen are relatively BR-depleted spaces. Thus, we demonstrate a relationship between such asymmetrical BR distribution in the ER membrane and the BR metabolic pathway. Furthermore, our results suggest plausible BR-transport and BR-regulating machineries in other cellular compartments, including the nucleus and mitochondria.
Full text
Available for:
IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Bioelectrodes, including metallic and conductive polymer (CP) bioelectrodes, often suffer from biofouling by contamination from microbacteria and/or biomolecules in biological systems, which can ...cause substantial impairment of biofunctionality and biocompatibility. Herein, we have employed an
in situ
polymerization of methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) by gamma radiation to introduce fouling-resistant properties onto the surface of the conductive polymer, polypyrrole (PPy). The concentrations of an MPC monomer were varied during the grafting. PPy electrodes modified with MPC (PPy-
g
-MPC) revealed excellent anti-biofouling properties, as demonstrated by multiple analyses, such as serum protein adsorption, fibroblast adhesion, bacteria adhesion, and scar tissue formation
in vivo
. Importantly, PPy-
g
-MPC, which was modified with 0.2 M MPC using gamma radiation, exhibited electrical properties similar to unmodified PPy electrodes, indicating that our MPC grafting strategies did not cause impairment of electrical/electrochemical properties of the original PPy electrodes while successfully introducing anti-biofouling properties. Zwitterionic MPC polymer grafting on PPy electrodes by
in situ
polymerization with gamma radiation will benefit the development of highly biocompatible and functional bioelectrodes, such as neural electrodes, stimulators, and biosensors.
A nonbiofouling conductive polymer (
i.e.
, polypyrrole PPy) bioelectrode was fabricated by grafting zwitterionic methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer (MPC) using gamma radiation.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow is involved in brain waste clearance and may be impaired in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. This study aims to investigate the relationship ...between the CSF pulsation and the development of dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using EPI-based fMRI.
We measured CSF pulsation in the 4th ventricle of 17 healthy controls and 35 PD patients using a novel CSF pulsation index termed "CSFpulse" based on echo-planar imaging (EPI)-based fMRI. The PD patients were classified into a PD with dementia high-risk group (PDD-H,
= 19) and a low risk group (PDD-L,
= 16), depending on their development of dementia within 5 years after initial brain imaging. The size of the 4th ventricle was measured using intensity-based thresholding.
We found that CSF pulsation was significantly higher in PD patients than in healthy controls, and that PD patients with high risk of dementia (PDD-H) had the highest CSF pulsation. We also observed an enlargement of the 4th ventricle in PD patients compared to healthy controls.
Our results suggest that CSF pulsation may be a potential biomarker for PD progression and cognitive decline, and that EPI-based fMRI can be a useful tool for studying CSF flow and brain function in PD.
Purpose To examine the effect of lung volume on the size and volume of pulmonary subsolid nodules (SSNs) measured on CT.
Materials and Methods A total of 42 SSNs from 31 patients were included. CT ...examination was first performed at total lung capacity (TLC), and a section containing the nodule was additionally scanned at tidal volume (TV). The diameter and volume of each SSN, as well as the crosssectional lung area containing the nodule, were measured. The significance of the changes in measurements between TLC and TV within the same individuals was evaluated.
Results The lung area and the diameter and volume of SSNs decreased significantly at TV by 12.7 cm2, 0.5 mm, and 46.4 mm3 on average, respectively (p < 0.001), compared to those at TLC.
Changes in lung area between TV and TLC were positively correlated with the change in SSN diameter (p = 0.027) and volume (p = 0.014). However, after correction (by considering the change in lung area), the changes in SSN diameter (p = 0.124) and volume (p = 0.062) were not significantly different.
Conclusion SSN size and volume can be significantly affected by lung volume during CT scans of the same individuals. KCI Citation Count: 0
The hospitalist system has been introduced to improve the quality and safety of inpatient care. As its effectiveness has been confirmed in previous studies, the hospitalist system is spreading in ...various fields. However, few studies have investigated the feasibility and value of hospitalist-led care of patients with cancer in terms of quality and safety measures. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Hospitalist-Oncologist co-ManagemEnt (HOME) system.
Between January 1, 2019, and January 31, 2021, we analyzed 591 admissions before and 1068 admissions after the introduction of HOME system on January 1, 2020. We compared the length of stay and the types and frequencies of safety events between the conventional system and the HOME system, retrospectively. We also investigate rapid response system activation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, unplanned intensive care unit transfer, all-cause in-hospital mortality, and 30-day re-admission or emergency department visits.
The average length of stay (15.9 days vs. 12.9 days, P < 0.001), frequency of safety events (5.6% vs. 2.8%, P = 0.006), rapid response system activation (7.3% vs. 2.2%, P < 0.001) were significantly reduced after the HOME system introduction. However, there was no statistical difference in frequencies of cardiopulomonary resuscitation and intensive care unit transfer, all-cause in-hospital morality, 30-day unplanned re-admission or emergency department visits.
The study suggests that the HOME system provides higher quality of care and safer environment compared to conventional oncologist-led team-based care, and the efficiency of the medical delivery system could be increased by reducing the hospitalization period without increase in 30-day unplanned re-admission.
Full text
Available for:
CEKLJ, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Sebaceous gland hyperplasia and increased sebum secretion after irradiation of ultraviolet (UV)‐B has been widely accepted. This study was performed to clarify expression of inflammatory cytokines ...after irradiating UV‐B in cultured sebocytes. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8 and tumor necrosis factor‐α, in cultured sebocytes after exposure to 40 and 70 mJ/cm2 UV‐B. Protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and lipid production in cultured sebocytes after exposure to UV‐B were measured using enzyme‐linked immunoassay and lipid analysis kit. The expression of inflammatory cytokines, especially IL‐1β and IL‐8, was significantly increased in cultured sebocytes after treatment with UV‐B. Many more studies on the effect of UV‐B on sebaceous glands should be performed to reveal the pathogenic mechanism of acne.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC-ASCT) as a consolidation treatment is a promising approach for eligible patients with newly diagnosed primary central ...nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).
In this retrospective analysis, 22 patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL received chemotherapy with rituximab, methotrexate, procarbazine, and vincristine. Those who showed complete or partial response subsequently received consolidation HDC-ASCT with a thiotepa- based conditioning regimen but did not undergo radiotherapy.
The PCNSL patients had a median age of 57 years (range, 49‒67 yr); of the total patients, 9.1% had a performance status of 2 or higher, and 72.1% had multiple lesions. Approximately 82% of patients received six cycles of induction chemotherapy, which was well tolerated with excellent disease control. The rate of confirmed or unconfirmed complete response increased from 45.5% at the period of interim analysis to 81.8% prior to the initiation of HDC-ASCT. With a median follow-up of 19.6 months (range, 7.5‒56.5 mo), the 2-year progression-free survival and overall survival estimates were 84% and 88%, respectively. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Grade 3 toxicity was recorded in 90.9% of the patients after undergoing the HDC-ASCT, and the most common grade 3 adverse event was febrile neutropenia without sepsis.
The discussed treatment approach is feasible in patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL, yielding encouraging results.
According to a 2020 study by the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third leading cause of cancer both in incidence and death in the United States. Nonetheless, CRC ...screening remains lower than that for other high-risk cancers such as breast and cervical cancer. Risk calculators are increasingly being used to promote cancer awareness and improve compliance with CRC screening tests. However, research concerning the effects of CRC risk calculators on the intention to undergo CRC screening has been limited. Moreover, some studies have found the impacts of CRC risk calculators to be inconsistent, reporting that receiving personalized assessments from such calculators lowers people's risk perception.
The objective of this study is to examine the effect of using CRC risk calculators on individuals' intentions to undergo CRC screening. In addition, this study aims to examine the mechanisms through which using CRC risk calculators might influence individuals' intentions to undergo CRC screening. Specifically, this study focuses on the role of perceived susceptibility to CRC as a potential mechanism mediating the effect of using CRC risk calculators. Finally, this study examines how the effect of using CRC risk calculators on individuals' intentions to undergo CRC screening may vary by gender.
We recruited a total of 128 participants through Amazon Mechanical Turk who live in the United States, have health insurance, and are in the age group of 45 to 85 years. All participants answered questions needed as input for the CRC risk calculator but were randomly assigned to treatment (CRC risk calculator results immediately received) and control (CRC risk calculator results made available after the experiment ended) groups. The participants in both groups answered a series of questions regarding demographics, perceived susceptibility to CRC, and their intention to get screened.
We found that using CRC risk calculators (ie, answering questions needed as input and receiving calculator results) has a positive effect on intentions to undergo CRC screening, but only for men. For women, using CRC risk calculators has a negative effect on their perceived susceptibility to CRC, which in turn reduces the intention to sign up for CRC screening. Additional simple slope and subgroup analyses confirm that the effect of perceived susceptibility on CRC screening intention is moderated by gender.
This study shows that using CRC risk calculators can increase individuals' intentions to undergo CRC screening, but only for men. For women, using CRC risk calculators can reduce their intentions to undergo CRC screening, as it reduces their perceived susceptibility to CRC. Given these mixed results, although CRC risk calculators can be a useful source of information on one's CRC risk, patients should be discouraged from relying solely on them to inform decisions regarding CRC screening.
Objective: ASTRIS is a large real-world, open-label, multinational clinical study of osimertinib in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation-positive advanced non-small ...cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have previously received a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). We report data from the Korean ASTRIS subgroup.
Methods: Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with a confirmed T790M mutation, WHO performance status of 0-2 and prior EGFR-TKI therapy, received osimertinib 80 mg once daily. Efficacy outcomes were overall survival (OS), investigator-assessed response rate (RR) and progression-free survival (PFS), and time to treatment discontinuation (TTD).
Results: At data cut-off (20 October 2017), 466 Korean patients were enrolled. Baseline EGFR molecular testing was mainly performed on biopsied tissue (75.1%). Baseline mutations co-occurring with T790M included exon 19 deletions (60.7%) and L858R (32.8%). 1-year OS was 82.7% (OS data not matured at data cut-off). Overall, RR was 71.0%, median PFS was 12.4 months and median TTD was 15.0 months. In patients with/without CNS metastases, RR was 68.0% and 79.6%, respectively; median PFS, 10.8 and 11.0 months, respectively; and median TTD, 11.2 and 14.7 months, respectively. Overall, 31.1% of patients experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE), leading to dose modification (12.0%), discontinuation (5.2%) or death (2.8%). Serious AEs (24.9%) included pulmonary embolism (1.7%), pleural effusion (1.7%), and pneumonia (1.5%).
Conclusion: In this real-world subgroup analysis of Korean patients in the ASTRIS study, osimertinib demonstrated comparable clinical efficacy to that attained in the global ASTRIS study and other clinical trials, with no new safety concerns.
PDF
