DHRS13 suppresses differentiation and mitophagy in glioma via retinoic acid and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.

To elucidate the complex interplay of undifferentiated cancer cells in malignancy, we focus on the crucial mechanisms that maintain the undifferentiated state of cancer stem-like cells, which drive tumor growth and therapy resistance. Here, we identify a protein called dehydrogenase/reductase 13 (DHRS13) that is abundant in undifferentiated glioblastoma cells. DHRS13 is primarily located in the mitochondria and functions as a retinaldehyde reductase, converting all-trans-retinaldehyde to all-trans-retinol with high affinity for NADPH.

Cancer-wide in silico analyses using differentially expressed genes demonstrate the functions and clinical relevance of JAG, DLL, and NOTCH.

Notch ligands [jagged (JAG) and, delta-like (DLL) families] and receptors [NOTCH family] are key regulators of Notch signaling. NOTCH signaling contributes to vascular development, tissue homeostasis, angiogenesis, and cancer progression. To elucidate the universal functions of the JAG, DLL, and NOTCH families and their connections with various biological functions, we examined 15 types of cancer using The Cancer Genome Atlas clinical database.

Analysis of Clinical Characteristics of Tuberculosis Patients with Dementia in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea.

(1) Background: Among Korean research papers there have been studies on the correlation between tuberculosis-hypertension and diabetes and the correlation between dementia-hypertension and diabetes, but there were no analysis data specifically on tuberculosis and dementia. (2) Methods: A total of 2992 tuberculosis patients in the Gyeongbuk region were analyzed through a final analysis of integrated disease and health management system data collected from 2021 to 2022. In this selection, patients with tuberculosis under 50 years of age and 368 people diagnosed with tuberculosis were excluded.

Jagged1 intracellular domain/SMAD3 complex transcriptionally regulates TWIST1 to drive glioma invasion.

Jagged1 (JAG1) is a Notch ligand that correlates with tumor progression. Not limited to its function as a ligand, JAG1 can be cleaved, and its intracellular domain translocates to the nucleus, where it functions as a transcriptional cofactor. Previously, we showed that JAG1 intracellular domain (JICD1) forms a protein complex with DDX17/SMAD3/TGIF2.

Annexin A2 Stabilizes Oncogenic JAG1 Intracellular Domain by Inhibiting Proteasomal Degradation in Glioblastoma Cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal brain cancer, causing inevitable deaths of patients owing to frequent relapses of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The significance of the NOTCH signaling pathway in CSCs has been well recognized; however, there is no NOTCH-selective treatment applicable to patients with GBM. We recently reported that Jagged1 (JAG1), a NOTCH ligand, drives a NOTCH receptor-independent signaling pathway via JAG1 intracellular domain (JICD1) as a crucial signal that renders CSC properties.

The oncogenic JAG1 intracellular domain is a transcriptional cofactor that acts in concert with DDX17/SMAD3/TGIF2.

Jagged1 (JAG1) is a Notch ligand that contact-dependently activates Notch receptors and regulates cancer progression. The JAG1 intracellular domain (JICD1) is generated from JAG1, like formation of the NOTCH1 intracellular domain (NICD1); however, the role of JICD1 in tumorigenicity has not been comprehensively elucidated. Here we show that JICD1 induces astrocytes to acquire several cancer stem cell properties, including tumor formation, invasiveness, stemness, and resistance to anticancer therapy.

Polymer Thin Film Promotes Tumor Spheroid Formation via JAK2-STAT3 Signaling Primed by Fibronectin-Integrin α5 and Sustained by LMO2-LDB1 Complex.

Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are considered promising targets for anti-cancer therapy owing to their role in tumor progression. Extensive research is, therefore, being carried out on CSCs to identify potential targets for anti-cancer therapy. However, this requires the availability of patient-derived CSCs ex vivo, which remains restricted due to the low availability and diversity of CSCs.

Generation of reproductive transgenic pigs of a CRISPR-Cas9-based oncogene-inducible system by somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Alternative cancer models that are close to humans are required to create more valuable preclinical results during oncology studies. Here, a new onco-pig model via developing a CRISPR-Cas9-based Conditional Polycistronic gene expression Cassette (CRI-CPC) system to control the tumor inducing simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40LT) and oncogenic HRAS . After conducting somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), transgenic embryos were transplanted into surrogate mothers and five male piglets were born.

Characteristics of depressive symptoms in middle-aged family members of dementia patients: 2017 Korea Community Health Survey.

Objectives: The characteristics of depressive symptoms in the family members of home-dwelling patients with dementia have not been clearly reported. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of depressive symptoms in middle-aged family members living with a patient with dementia.

Methods: This study used the data from the nationwide 2017 Korea Community Health Survey.

Transcriptional activities of human elongation factor-1α and cytomegalovirus promoter in transgenic dogs generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Recent advances in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in canines facilitate the production of canine transgenic models. Owing to the importance of stable and strong promoter activity in transgenic animals, we tested human elongation factor 1α (hEF1α) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter sequences in SCNT transgenic dogs. After transfection, transgenic donor fibroblasts with the hEF1α-enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) transgene were successfully isolated using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).

Korean Red ginseng extract inhibits glioblastoma propagation by blocking the Wnt signaling pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Korean Red ginseng extract (RG) is one of the most widely used traditional health functional food in Asia, which invigorates immunity and vital energy. RG have been suggested to inhibit proliferation, invasion, and inflammation in several cancer cell lines. Correspondingly, clinical studies have raised the possibility that RG could augment therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients.

p-Synephrine stimulates glucose consumption via AMPK in L6 skeletal muscle cells.

Interest in p-synephrine, the primary protoalkaloid in the extract of bitter orange and other citrus species, has increased due to its various pharmacological effects and related adverse effects. The lipolytic activity of p-synephrine has been repeatedly revealed by in vitro and in vivo studies and p-synephrine is currently marketed as a dietary supplement for weight loss. The present study investigated the effect of p-synephrine on glucose consumption and its action mechanism in L6 skeletal muscle cells.