Effect of echinalkamide identified from Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench on the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.

Plant cell cultures have been exploited to provide stable production and new secondary metabolites for better pharmacological activity. Fractionation of adventitious root cultures of Echinacea purpurea resulted in the isolation of eleven constituents, including three new compounds. The structures of the three new compounds were determined to be an alkylamide (1), a polyacetylene (2) and a lignan (3) on the basis of combined spectroscopic analysis.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Involving Second Cervical Vertebra and the Hypothalamus and Pituitary in an Adult.

Background: Adult-onset Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) with simultaneous involvement of the high cervical spine and the hypothalamus is rare.

Case Description: We have reported a case of adult-onset LCH in the second cervical vertebra with bony destruction and subsequent diabetes insipidus due to simultaneous involvement of the hypothalamus and pituitary stalk. Magnetic resonance imaging of the hypothalamus and pituitary lesion and immunohistochemistry of the cervical lesion revealed LCH.

Synergistic antitumor activity of a DLL4/VEGF bispecific therapeutic antibody in combination with irinotecan in gastric cancer.

Notch signaling has been identified as a critical pathway in gastric cancer (GC) progression and metastasis, and inhibition of Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4), a Notch ligand, is suggested as a potent therapeutic approach for GC. Expression of both DLL4 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) was similar in the malignant tissues of GC patients. We focused on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a known angiogenesis regulator and activator of DLL4.

Superolateral Hoffa Fat Pad Edema and Patellofemoral Maltracking: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The purpose of this study is to clarify which imaging parameters of patellofemoral maltracking are associated with superolateral Hoffa fat pad (SHFP) edema. A systematic search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to identify studies evaluating the relationship between SHFP edema and patellofemoral maltracking. Parameters for assessing patellofemoral maltracking on MRI were reviewed for each study.

Biochemical properties and crystal structure of formate-tetrahydrofolate ligase from Methylobacterium extorquens CM4.

Methylobacterium extorquens is a methylotroph model organism that has the ability to assimilate formate using the tetrahydrofolate (THF) pathway. The formate-tetrahydrofolate ligase from M. extorquens (MeFtfL) is an enzyme involved in the THF pathway that catalyzes the conversion of formate, THF, and ATP into formyltetrahydrofolate and ADP.

The Cyclic Value-Context Reinforcement Model of Problematic Internet Use: Empirical Validation Using a Thematic Analysis of Children's Counseling Data.

Background: Research on problematic internet use has focused on devising diagnostic criteria or describing the factors that influence internet overuse. However, a paradigm shift is necessary in studying the phenomenon of increased internet use not just from a pathological point of view but also from a developmental point of view that considers children's behavior of adapting to a technology-oriented society.

Objective: In this paper, we propose the Cyclic Value-Context Reinforcement Model (CVCRM) to understand problematic internet use behavior.

Inhibition of JAK1/2 can overcome EGFR-TKI resistance in human NSCLC.

Non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common cancer in the world. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is mutated in approximately 10% of lung cancer cases in the US and 50% of lung cancer in Asia. The representative target therapeutic agent, erlotinib (EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor; EGFR TKI), is effective in inactivating EGFR in lung cancer patients.

The Role of the Histone Methyltransferase EZH2 in Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis in STAM NASH Mice.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading form of chronic liver disease, with few biomarkers and treatment options currently available. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive disease of NAFLD, may lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Epigenetic modification can contribute to the progression of NAFLD causing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), in which the exact role of epigenetics remains poorly understood.

Post-Marketing Pooled Safety Analysis for CT-P13 Treatment of Patients with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases in Observational Cohort Studies.

Background: At EU marketing authorisation, safety data for CT-P13 (biosimilar infliximab) were limited, particularly in some indications, and uncommon adverse events (AEs) could not be evaluated among relatively small analysis populations.

Objectives: Our objective was to investigate the overall safety profile and incidence rate of AEs of special interest (AESIs), including serious infections and tuberculosis, in CT-P13-treated patients.

Methods: Data were pooled from six observational studies representing authorised indications of CT-P13 (ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, adult and paediatric Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).

The impact of short-term acute heat stress on the rumen microbiome of Hanwoo steers.

Heat stress negatively affects cattle productivity by reducing feed intake. In the present study, we assessed if the rumen microbiome composition of Hanwoo steers was altered by exposure to heat stress. Rumen samples were collected from four Hanwoo steers that were individually housed in climate-controlled chambers with 60% humidity and environmental temperatures of: 1) 15°C (0-day group), 2) 35°C for 3 days (3-day group), and 3) 35°C for 6 days (6-day group).

Single-molecule functional anatomy of endogenous HER2-HER3 heterodimers.

Human epidermal growth factor receptors (HERs) are the primary targets of many directed cancer therapies. However, the reason a specific dimer of HERs generates a stronger proliferative signal than other permutations remains unclear. Here, we used single-molecule immunoprecipitation to develop a biochemical assay for endogenously-formed, entire HER2-HER3 heterodimers.

Therapeutic Effect of Seaweed Derived Xanthophyl Carotenoid on Obesity Management; Overview of the Last Decade.

Present-day lifestyles associated with high calorie-fat intake and accumulation, as well as energy imbalance, have led to the development of obesity and its comorbidities, which have emerged as some of the major health issues globally. To combat the disease, many studies have reported the anti-obesity effects of natural compounds in foods, with some advantages over chemical treatments. Carotenoids, such as xanthophyll derived from seaweeds, have attracted the attention of researchers due to their notable biological activities, which are associated mainly with their antioxidant properties.

Loss of S6K1 But Not S6K2 in the Tumor Microenvironment Suppresses Tumor Growth by Attenuating Tumor Angiogenesis.

Two isoforms of the 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase, S6K1 and S6K2, have been identified and are considered key downstream effectors of the mTOR signaling pathway, which is involved in tumor growth and progression. However, their biological roles in the tumor microenvironment are poorly understood. In this study, utilizing tumor xenograft models in S6k1 and S6k2 mice, we show that loss of S6K1 but not S6K2 in the tumor stroma suppresses tumor growth, accompanied by attenuated tumor angiogenesis.

Calcium Channels as Novel Therapeutic Targets for Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells.

Drug resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is reportedly attributed to the existence of cancer stem cells (CSC), because in most cancers, CSCs still remain after chemotherapy. To overcome this limitation, novel therapeutic strategies are required to prevent cancer recurrence and chemotherapy-resistant cancers by targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs). We screened an FDA-approved compound library and found four voltage-gated calcium channel blockers (manidipine, lacidipine, benidipine, and lomerizine) that target ovarian CSCs.

Benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor of digit versus major-nerve: Comparison of MRI findings.

Objective: To compare the symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings between digital peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST) and major-nerve PNST.

Methods: A total 36 cases with benign PNSTs (16 digital, 20 major-nerve) were enrolled. Chief complaint and Tinel sign were reviewed.

The Association of Maternal Accompaniment at Family Dinners and Depressive Symptoms of Korean Adolescents.

This study aims to investigate the association between family dinners involving the participation of both mother and her adolescent child and depressive symptoms within the adolescents. Data from 2183 mother-child pairs obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV-VI (2010-2013, and 2015) were employed in the analysis. The dependent variable of this study was depressive symptom of adolescents.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect for Atherosclerosis Progression by Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitor in a Normoglycemic Rabbit Model.

Background And Objectives: We sought to investigate an anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in normoglycemic atherosclerotic rabbit model.

Methods: Male New Zealand white rabbits (n=26) were fed with a 1% high-cholesterol diet for 7 weeks followed by normal diet for 2 weeks. After balloon catheter injury, the rabbits were administered with the Dapagliflozin (1mg/kg/day) or control-medium for 8 weeks (n=13 for each group).

Outcomes of bedside peripherally inserted central catheter placement: a retrospective study at a single institution.

Background: Bedside insertion of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has higher rates of malposition than fluoroscopic-guided PICC placement. This study evaluated the success rate of bedside PICC placement, variations in tip location, and risk factors for malposition.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent bedside PICC placement from January 2013 to September 2014 in a single institution.

Chondroprotective Effect of Cynaroside in IL-1-Induced Primary Rat Chondrocytes and Organ Explants via NF-B and MAPK Signaling Inhibition.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation and inflammation. Interleukin-1 is the key player in the pathogenesis of OA, which induces the expression of various catabolic factors that contribute to cartilage degradation. Cynaroside (luteolin-7-O-glucoside or luteoloside) is a flavonoid that has various pharmacological properties, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.

Microneedle drug eluting balloon for enhanced drug delivery to vascular tissue.

High rates of restenosis and neointimal formation have driven increasing interest in the application of drug eluting balloons (DEB) as counteractive measures for intraluminal drug delivery. The use of DEBs eliminates the need for stents so that serious side effects including in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis can be avoided and long-term medication of anti-platelet agent is not needed. Despite their benefits, DEBs have poor drug delivery efficiency due to short balloon inflation times (30-60 s) that limit the passive drug diffusion from the balloon surface to the luminal lesion.

Mutually exclusive antiproliferative effect of cell line-specific HOX inhibition in epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines: SKOV-3 vs RMUG-S.

We aimed to discover cell line-specific overexpressed HOX genes responsible for chemoresistance and to identify the mechanisms behind HOX-induced cell line-specific chemoresistance in EOC. Ten HOX genes and eight EOC cell lines were tested for any cell line-specific overexpression that presents a mutually exclusive pattern. Cell viability was evaluated after treatment with cisplatin and/or siRNA for cell line-specific overexpressed HOX genes.