Development and Evaluation of Dual Microneedle Array Patch for Sequential Intradermal Delivery of Adjuvant and Antigen.

Purpose: Adjuvants are critical for enhancing immune responses to recombinant protein-based vaccines, which typically exhibit weak immunogenicity. Microneedle array patches (MAPs) offer a promising method for intradermal delivery, but conventional Co-Delivery MAPs (containing antigen and adjuvant together) have limited loading capacity and potential undesirable interactions. Adjuvants may also trigger adverse reactions in sensitive populations.

Efficacy and safety of pioglitazone, empagliflozin and glimepiride as third-line agents in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin and DPP-4 inhibitors: A multicentre, phase 4 randomized controlled trial.

Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of three triple-combination therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled on metformin and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor.

Materials And Methods: This multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, parallel-group, phase 4 study included patients with T2D inadequately controlled on metformin (≥1000 mg) and a DPP-4 inhibitor. Participants were randomised to receive empagliflozin 10 mg/day (n = 61), pioglitazone 15 mg/day (n = 58) or glimepiride 2 mg/day (n = 57).

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Cilostazol/Extract of Ginkgo biloba vs. Aspirin in Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: We conducted a prospective, randomized study to evaluate the combination of cilostazol (CTZ) and extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) and compare it with aspirin for the prevention of atherosclerosis progression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: One hundred five patients with T2DM and increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were randomly assigned to receive either CTZ 200 mg plus EGb 160 mg once daily or aspirin (ASA) 100 mg/day for 12 months. The primary endpoint was the change in maximum carotid IMT.

Powder-attached microneedles for the stable and effective transdermal delivery of clinically validated mRNA-LNP vaccine.

Microneedle-based delivery offers a promising strategy for administering mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccines via the skin; however, maintaining mRNA-LNP integrity and achieving effective immune responses remain challenging. This study presents a clinically relevant microneedle platform for the transdermal delivery of clinically validated mRNA-LNP vaccines using powder-attached microneedles (P-MAP) and coated microneedles (C-MAP). The mRNA-LNP vaccine, based on the formulation of Moderna's clinically approved product, was prepared without alteration in their composition or manufacturing method.

Association of temporal MASLD with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality.

Background: We investigated the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and related comorbidities including cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality, based on changes in metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service for individuals aged ≥ 20 years. MASLD was defined as a fatty liver index (FLI), a prediction formula based on metabolic parameters, with a cutoff of ≥ 60.

Dissolving Microneedle for Maintaining the Integrity of HPV Virus-Like Particles Enabling Durable Sterile Protection Across Various Mucosal Tissues.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have substantially reduced cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases in high-income countries, with male vaccination addressing transmission as well as head and neck cancers. However, in low- and middle-income countries, widespread vaccination efforts are hindered by considerable costs, insufficient medical staff, and challenges in maintaining vaccine stability. Conventional microneedle vaccine production often compromises the structural integrity of virus-like particles (VLPs), thereby reducing their effectiveness.

Efficacy and safety of time-restricted eating in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background & Aims: Time-restricted eating (TRE) may improve weight loss, insulin resistance, and body composition, which are key factors in the pathophysiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, evidence on the efficacy of TRE in patients with MASLD is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of TRE in patients with overweight or obesity and MASLD.

Tat-GSTpi suppresses inflammatory responses by regulating ROS/MAPKs/apoptosis signaling pathways.

Glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTpi) is a phase II detoxifying enzyme that plays key roles in cellular processes. In a previous study, we have reported that cell permeable Tat-GSTpi can protect dopaminergic neurons against cell death. However, the precise roles of GSTpi in inflammation remain to be elucidated.

Baricitinib-loaded separable microneedle array patch (S-MAP) based on hyaluronic acid for alopecia areata therapy.

Separable and dissolvable microneedle array patch based primarily on hyaluronic acid is designed for the topical delivery of baricitinib in alopecia areata (AA) therapy. Locoregional application of a separable microneedle array patch (S-MAP) may avoid the systemic side effects of oral administration and can be administered without pain compared with typical intradermal injections. Baricitinib (which has poor aqueous solubility) is evenly suspended with sodium carboxymethylcellulose.

AZD 9668, a neutrophil elastase inhibitor, promotes wound healing in the irradiated skin by inhibiting NET-derived vascular dysfunction.

Despite the increasing awareness of the health risks associated with radiation exposure such as radiotherapy and accidents, effective treatments remain limited except for bone marrow damage. Radiation-induced skin damage is a critical concern as it is often accompanied by severe inflammation and delayed wound healing. Endothelial cells have emerged as a promising therapeutic target for addressing such radiation-induced damage.

Bixin alleviates radiation-induced intestinal damage inflammation regulation and barrier recovery.

Purpose: Radiotherapy for cancer treatment or unintentional exposure to ionizing radiation causes severe damage to the unaffected tissues of the digestive system, including gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Radiation exposure leads to an inflammatory response, and uncontrolled inflammation exacerbates radiation-induced tissue injury. Bixin is a liposoluble apocarotenoid isolated from seeds, which effectively attenuates several inflammatory diseases.

Association of Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index and Insulin Resistance With Mortality in Multi-Nationwide Cohorts.

Background: Although sarcopenia and insulin resistance are closely related, there is limited evidence regarding how they interact to influence mortality across different population groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and insulin resistance and its impact on mortality and cardiovascular disease risk using large-scale national data from Korea and the United States.

Methods: We analysed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2006 and 2011-2018 and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2011, with mortality follow-up through to 2019.

Development and Evaluation of Five-in-One Vaccine Microneedle Array Patch for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, and Type b: Immunological Efficacy and Long-Term Stability.

: The development of a five-in-one vaccine microneedle patch (five-in-one MN patch) aims to address challenges in administering vaccines against Diphtheria (DT), Tetanus (TT), Pertussis (wP), Hepatitis B (HBsAg), and type b (Hib). Combining multiple vaccines into a single patch offers a novel solution to improve vaccine accessibility, stability, and delivery efficiency, particularly in resource-limited settings. : The five-in-one MN patch consists of four distinct microneedle arrays: DT and TT vaccines are coated together on one array, while wP, HepB, and Hib vaccines are coated separately on individual arrays.

Comparison of survival outcomes in haemodialysis versus immediate-start peritoneal dialysis: A propensity-matched study.

Aim: Recent reports suggest that immediate-start peritoneal dialysis (ISPD) initiated immediately after catheter insertion demonstrates better long-term outcomes. However, the survival rate of ISPD versus haemodialysis (HD) remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare survival rates between ISPD and HD using a matched-pair cohort.

Outcomes and effectiveness of active surveillance for low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of active surveillance (AS) in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and compare them to those of immediate surgery (IS).

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis, including 14 comparative studies and 7 noncomparative studies, was conducted, encompassing a total of 9,397 patients.

Results: AS was associated with lower rates of familial history of thyroid cancer, multiplicity, and overall mortality compared to IS.

PEP-1-PIN1 Promotes Hippocampal Neuronal Cell Survival by Inhibiting Cellular ROS and MAPK Phosphorylation.

The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PIN1) plays a vital role in cellular processes, including intracellular signaling and apoptosis. While oxidative stress is considered one of the primary mechanisms of pathogenesis in brain ischemic injury, the precise function of PIN1 in this disease remains to be elucidated. We constructed a cell-permeable PEP-1-PIN1 fusion protein and investigated PIN1's function in HT-22 hippocampal cells as well as in a brain ischemic injury gerbil model.

Effect of low muscle mass on total mortality related to metabolic disease in chronic kidney disease patients.

Low muscle mass is a risk factor for mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it is not clear to what extent low muscle mass contributes to this risk, either independently or in combination with metabolic abnormalities and frailty. This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006 and 2011-2018.

Corrigendum: Pre-transplant crossmatch-negative donor-specific anti-HLA antibody predicts acute antibody-mediated rejection but not long-term outcomes in kidney transplantation: an analysis of the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.