SPB-201 Alleviates Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Damage in Rats through Its Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Pro-angiogenic Properties.

Background/aims: The inhibition of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis by indomethacin causes gastric ulceration by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Methods: This study investigated the protective effects of an Artemisia annua extract powder (SPB-201) on gastric damage and its underlying mechanisms by analyzing various molecular biological markers in indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration rats and AGS human gastric cancer cells.

Results: The oral administration of SPB-201 augmented the gastroprotective PGE and NO contents by increasing COX-1, COX-2, and eNOS expression, resulting in the improvement of gastric damage and ulcerative hyperemia in rats.

Prognostic Role of Pre-Cannulation Lactate in Trauma Patients Undergoing Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Although venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving intervention for trauma patients with severe respiratory failure, its mortality rate is 27%, and optimal metabolic markers for its initiation remain uncertain. We investigate the prognostic value of pre-cannulation lactate in trauma patients receiving early VV ECMO. This retrospective cohort study (2015-2024) included trauma patients undergoing VV ECMO.

A2-Astrocyte Activation by Short-Term Hypoxia Rescues α-Synuclein Pre-Formed-Fibril-Induced Neuronal Cell Death.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neuro-degenerative disease for which a radical cure is not available, only symptomatic control. Studies have shown that hypoxia may have disease-modifying effects on PD. Herein, we investigated whether short-term hypoxia activates astrocytes and whether it has a protective effect on pre-formed fibril (PFF)-treated primary cortical neurons.

induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in HeLa human cervical cancer cells.

Background/objectives: A. Berger () is a perennial herb belonging to the Crassulaceae family that has been traditionally used to treat inflammation, fever, and poisoning. Although studies on the anticancer activity of have been conducted, its effect on virus-induced cancers has yet to be elucidated.

()-Glucosciadopitysin, a New Biflavonoid Glycoside from the Leaves of and Osteogenic Activity of Bioflavonoids.

The leaves of have been used in treating freckles and effectively reducing cough and sputum in folk medicines. Recently, investigations into the correlation between ginkgo leaves and the proliferative activity of osteogenic differentiation have been conducted. However, bioactive compounds that enhance osteogenesis or exhibit osteoporosis prevention from have not been fully identified.

Mutations Causing X-Linked Recessive Oligodontia with Variable Expression.

Background/objectives: The ectodysplasin A () gene, a member of the tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily, is involved in the early epithelial-mesenchymal interaction that regulates ectoderm-derived appendage formation. Numerous studies have shown that mutations in the gene can cause X-linked ectodermal dysplasia (ED) and non-syndromic oligodontia (NSO). Accordingly, this study aimed to identify the causative genetic mutations of the gene.

Hidden face of Parkinson's disease: Is it a new autoimmune disease?

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and clinical symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and slowed movements. A key feature of Parkinson's disease is the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein, forming insoluble Lewy bodies in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which contributes to neurodegeneration. These α-synuclein aggregates may act as autoantigens, leading to T-cell-mediated neuroinflammation and contributing to dopaminergic cell death.

Critical Considerations in Calling Disease-Causing Mutations in Nonsyndromic Oligodontia.

Oligodontia, the absence of six or more teeth excluding third molars, is a rare genetic condition, unlike hypodontia (missing one or more teeth), which is a relatively common human disease. To identify the genetic etiology of nonsyndromic oligodontia (NSO) families, we performed mutational analysis and investigated the functional effects of identified mutations. Whole-exome sequencing was conducted on recruited families with NSO.

Physiological change of striatum and ventral midbrain's glia cell in response to different exercise modalities.

Exercise not only regulates neurotransmitters and synapse formation but also enhances the function of multiple brain regions, beyond cortical activation. Prolonged aerobic or resistance exercise modality has been widely applied to reveal the beneficial effects on the brain, but few studies have investigated the direct effects of different exercise modalities and variations in exercise intensity on the neuroinflammatory response in the brain and overall health. Therefore, in this study, we investigated changes in brain cells and the immune environment of the brain according to exercise modalities.

Plastid phylogenomics of Robinsonia (Senecioneae; Asteraceae), endemic to the Juan Fernández Islands: insights into structural organization and molecular evolution.

Background: The genus Robinsonia DC. (tribe Senecioneae, Asteraceae) endemic to the Juan Fernández Islands in Chile is one of the most conspicuous insular plant groups in the world. Unlike typical herbaceous Asteraceae plants, these plants demonstrate spectacular and unusual rosette tree growth forms as shown by the alpine giant senecios (genus Dendrosenecio, tribe Senecioneae) endemic to the East African mountains.

Inter-archipelago dispersal, anagenetic evolution, and the origin of a rare, enigmatic plant genus on a remote oceanic archipelago.

Premise: Island plants have long interested biologists because of their distinctive morphological features and their isolation on small land areas in vast oceans. Studies of insular endemics may include identifying their ancestors, tracing their dispersal to islands, and describing their evolution on islands, including characters adaptive to island life. Thamnoseris is a monospecific genus endemic to the Desventuradas Islands, Chile.

Phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity of the Korean endemic Phedimus latiovalifolius (Crassulaceae) and its close relatives.

Phedimus latiovalifolius (Y.N.Lee) D.

Predictive factors for size change of aorta in patients with acute blunt traumatic aortic injury.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the changes in aorta size, the factors affecting size changes in patients with acute blunt traumatic aortic injury and to evaluate the adequacy of the current 120% thoracic endovascular aortic repair graft oversizing policy.

Design And Methods: This retrospective review study was conducted using the prospectively collected medical records of 45 patients (mean age: 53.5 years, male: 39 patients) with blunt traumatic aortic injury treated at a level 1 trauma center between 2012 and 2021.

The autoimmune response induced by α-synuclein peptides drives neuronal cell death and glial cell activation.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with the loss of dopaminergic neurons and neuroinflammation. Recent studies have identified a role of T cells in the pathogenesis of PD. Additionally, these studies suggested that α-synuclein (α-Syn) is related to abnormal T-cell responses and may act as an epitope and trigger autoimmune T-cell responses.

SARS-CoV-2 infection exacerbates the cellular pathology of Parkinson's disease in human dopaminergic neurons and a mouse model.

While an association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and viral infections has been recognized, the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on PD progression remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 infection heightens the risk of PD using human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons and a human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) transgenic (Tg) mouse model. Our findings reveal that SARS-CoV-2 infection exacerbates PD susceptibility and cellular toxicity in DA neurons pre-treated with human preformed fibrils (hPFFs).

Commentary: Optimal Timing for Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures: When Is Best?

See Article page 120.

ERK3 Increases Snail Protein Stability by Inhibiting FBXO11-Mediated Snail Ubiquitination.

Snail is a key regulator of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the key step in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of tumors. Although induction of Snail transcription precedes the induction of EMT, the post-translational regulation of Snail is also important in determining Snail protein levels, stability, and its ability to induce EMT. Several kinases are known to enhance the stability of the Snail protein by preventing its ubiquitination; however, the precise molecular mechanisms by which these kinases prevent Snail ubiquitination remain unclear.