Abstract
To determine the effect of customized vestibular exercise (VE) and optokinetic stimulation (OS) using a virtual reality system in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness ...(PPPD). Patients diagnosed with PPPD were randomly assigned to the VE group or VE with OS group. All participants received VE for 20 min using a virtual reality system with a head mount display once a week for 4 weeks. The patients in the VE with OS group additionally received OS for 9 min. We analysed the questionnaires, timed up-to-go (TUG) test, and posturography scores at baseline and after 4 weeks. A total of 28 patients (median age = 74.5, IQR 66–78, men = 12) completed the intervention. From baseline to 4 weeks, the dizziness handicap inventory, activities of daily living (ADL), visual vertigo analogue scale, and TUG improved in the VE group, but only ADL and TUG improved in the VE with OS group. Patients with severe visual vertigo improved more on their symptoms than patients with lesser visual vertigo (Pearson’s p = 0.716,
p
< 0.001). Our VE program can improve dizziness, quality of life, and gait function in PPPD; however, additional optokinetic stimuli should be applied for individuals with visual vertigo symptoms.
Background
Recently, autologous platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has attracted attention in various medical fields, including plastic and orthopedic surgery and dermatology, for its ability to promote ...wound healing. PRP has been tested during facelift and hair transplantation to reduce swelling and pain and to increase hair density.
Objective
To investigate the effects of PRP on hair growth using in vivo and in vitro models.
Methods
PRP was prepared using the double‐spin method and applied to dermal papilla (DP) cells. The proliferative effect of activated PRP on DP cells was measured. To understand the mechanisms of activated PRP on hair growth, we evaluated signaling pathways. In an in vivo study, mice received subcutaneous injections of activated PRP, and their results were compared with control mice.
Results
Activated PRP increased the proliferation of DP cells and stimulated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt signaling. Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF‐7) and beta‐catenin, which are potent stimuli for hair growth, were upregulated in DP cells. The injection of mice with activated PRP induced faster telogen‐to‐anagen transition than was seen on control mice.
Conclusions
Although few studies tested the effects of activated PRP on hair growth, this research provides support for possible clinical application of autologous PRP and its secretory factors for promotion of hair growth.
•Phosphate sorption to magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles had a maximum sorption capacity of 5.03mgPg−1.•Phosphate sorption was relatively constant at an acidic solution pH.•Phosphate sorption to ...magnetic nanoparticles showed endothermic nature of sorption process.•Magnetic nanoparticles could be used as adsorbents for phosphate removal with regeneration and repeated use.
Phosphate (P) removal by magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles was investigated using kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic experiments. The results demonstrate that phosphate sorption to the magnetic nanoparticles reached equilibrium at 24h with the maximum sorption capacity of 5.03mgPg−1 under given experimental conditions (initial P concentration range=2–20mgPL−1; adsorbent dose=0.6gL−1; reaction time=24h). The phosphate removal was relatively constant at an acidic solution pH (3.0–3.1mgPg−1 at pH 2.0–6.0), whereas the phosphate removal decreased sharply as the solution pH approached a highly alkaline condition (0.33mgPg−1 at pH 11.1). Thermodynamic tests indicate that phosphate sorption to the magnetic nanoparticles increased with increasing temperature from 15 to 45°C, indicating the spontaneous and endothermic nature of sorption process (ΔH0=39.17kJmol−1; ΔS0=156.35JK−1mol−1; ΔG0=−5.88∼−10.57kJmol−1). The results indicate that the pseudo second-order model was most suitable for describing the kinetic data. Regarding the equilibrium data, the Freundlich and Redlich–Peterson isotherms were fitted well. This study demonstrates that magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles could be used for phosphate removal from aqueous solutions with regeneration and repeated use.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is currently spreading globally. To overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, preclinical evaluations of ...vaccines and therapeutics using K18-hACE2 and CAG-hACE2 transgenic mice are ongoing. However, a comparative study on SARS-CoV-2 infection between K18-hACE2 and CAG-hACE2 mice has not been published. In this study, we compared the susceptibility and resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection between two strains of transgenic mice, which were generated in FVB background mice. K18-hACE2 mice exhibited severe weight loss with definitive lethality, but CAG-hACE2 mice survived; and differences were observed in the lung, spleen, cerebrum, cerebellum, and small intestine. A higher viral titer was detected in the lungs, cerebrums, and cerebellums of K18-hACE2 mice than in the lungs of CAG-hACE2 mice. Severe pneumonia was observed in histopathological findings in K18-hACE2, and mild pneumonia was observed in CAG-hACE2. Atrophy of the splenic white pulp and reduction of spleen weight was observed, and hyperplasia of goblet cells with villi atrophy of the small intestine was observed in K18-hACE2 mice compared to CAG-hACE2 mice. These results indicate that K18-hACE2 mice are relatively susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and that CAG-hACE2 mice are resistant to SARS-CoV-2. Based on these lineage-specific sensitivities, we suggest that K18-hACE2 mouse is suitable for highly susceptible model of SARS-CoV-2, and CAG-hACE2 mouse is suitable for mild susceptible model of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Objective
A novel rodent model and a recent randomized trial of hyperuricemic adolescents with hypertension suggest a pathogenetic role of uric acid in hypertension, but it remains unknown whether ...these findings would be applicable to adult populations where the larger disease burden exists. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine if hyperuricemia was associated with incident hypertension, particularly in various demographic subgroups.
Methods
We searched major electronic databases using medical subject headings and keywords without language restrictions (through April 2010). We included prospective cohort studies with data on incident hypertension related to serum uric acid levels. Data ion was conducted in duplicate. We analyzed age, sex, and race subgroups.
Results
A total of 18 prospective cohort studies representing data from 55,607 participants were included. Hyperuricemia was associated with an increased risk for incident hypertension (adjusted risk ratio RR 1.41, 95% confidence interval 95% CI 1.23–1.58). For a 1 mg/dl increase in uric acid level, the pooled RR for incident hypertension after adjusting for potential confounding was 1.13 (95% CI 1.06–1.20). These effects were significantly larger in younger study populations (P = 0.02) and tended to be larger in women (P = 0.059). Two studies suggested that the effect may also be larger among African American individuals. Furthermore, later publication year and US‐based studies were significantly associated with a lower effect estimate (P values <0.02).
Conclusion
Hyperuricemia is associated with an increased risk for incident hypertension, independent of traditional hypertension risk factors. This risk appears more pronounced in younger individuals and women.
Objectives
Persistent postural‐perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic functional vestibular disorder for which the Bárány Society has established diagnostic criteria. This nationwide multicenter ...study aims to investigate the clinical features of individuals with definite PPPD and clinical variant PPPD who do not fully meet the diagnostic criteria, with a particular focus on visual exaggeration.
Methods
Between September 2020 and September 2021, a total of 76 individuals with definite PPPD and 109 individuals with clinical variant PPPD who did not meet all three exacerbating factors outlined in Criterion B were recruited from 18 medical centers in South Korea. The study gathered information on demographic factors, clinical manifestations, balance scales, and personality assessments.
Results
Comparative analysis between groups with definite PPPD and clinical variant with visual exacerbation revealed no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics, clinical course, dizziness impact, and specific precipitants. Only disease duration was significantly longer in definite PPPD compared with variant with visual exacerbation. However, the variant without visual exacerbation displayed significantly reduced rates of panic disorder, diminished space‐motion discomfort, lesser impact of dizziness, and decreased prevalence of depression when compared with the definitive PPPD.
Conclusion
This is the first comprehensive nationwide study examining clinical features of both definite PPPD patients and its clinical variants, considering visual exacerbating factors. Differences in dizziness and personality traits emerged between definite PPPD and its potential variant without visual issues. Our results highlight the possibility of a distinct clinical variant of PPPD influenced by visual dependency.
SLC39A8 encodes ZIP8, a divalent metal ion transporter. Mutations in the SLC39A8 gene are associated with congenital disorder of glycosylation type II and Leigh syndrome. Notably, affected patients ...with both disorders exhibited severe manganese (Mn) deficiency. The cellular function of human SLC39A8 (hSLC39A8) and the mechanisms by which mutations in this protein lead to human diseases are unclear. Herein, we show that hSLC39A8 mediates
Mn uptake by the cells, and its expression is regulated by Mn. While expression of wild-type hSLC39A8 increased
Mn uptake activity, disease-associated mutations abrogated the ability of the transporter to mediate Mn uptake into the cells, thereby providing a causal link to severe Mn deficiency. All mutants failed to localize on the cell surface and were retained within the endoplasmic reticulum. Interestingly, expression of hSLC39A8 mutants of both CDG type II and Leigh syndrome reduced mitochondrial
Mn levels and activity of Mn-dependent mitochondrial superoxide dismutase MnSOD, and in turn increased oxidative stress. The expression of wild-type hSLC39A8, but not the disease-associated mutants, promoted mitochondrial functions. Moreover, loss of function analyses further corroborate hSLC39A8's critical role in mediating Mn uptake and mitochondrial function. Our results provide a potential pathogenic mechanism of diseases that are associated with hSLC39A8 mutations.
Lipid biosynthesis is recently studied its functions in a range of cellular physiology including differentiation and regeneration. However, it still remains to be elucidated in its precise function. ...To reveal this, we evaluated the roles of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling in alveolar bone formation using the LPA type 2 receptor (LPAR2) antagonist AMG‐35 (Amgen Compound 35) using tooth loss without periodontal disease model which would be caused by trauma and usually requires a dental implant to restore masticatory function. In this study, in vitro cell culture experiments in osteoblasts and periodontal ligament fibroblasts revealed cell type‐specific responses, with AMG‐35 modulating osteogenic differentiation in osteoblasts in vitro. To confirm the in vivo results, we employed a mouse model of tooth loss without periodontal disease. Five to 10 days after tooth extraction, AMG‐35 facilitated bone formation in the tooth root socket as measured by immunohistochemistry for differentiation markers KI67, Osteocalcin, Periostin, RUNX2, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) and SMAD2/3. The increased expression and the localization of these proteins suggest that AMG‐35 elicits osteoblast differentiation through TGF‐β1 and SMAD2/3 signaling. These results indicate that LPAR2/TGF‐β1/SMAD2/3 represents a new signaling pathway in alveolar bone formation and that local application of AMG‐35 in traumatic tooth loss can be used to facilitate bone regeneration and healing for further clinical treatment.
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