Cyclic Phytosphingosine-1-Phosphate Primed Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Background and Objectives@#O-cyclic phytosphingosine-1-phosphate (cP1P) is a synthetic chemical and has a structure like sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). S1P is known to promote cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and anti-apoptosis through hippocampal signals. However, S1P mediated cellular-, molecular mechanism is still remained in the lung.Acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are characterized by excessive immune response, increased vascular permeability, alveolar-peritoneal barrier collapse, and edema. In this study, we determined whether cP1P primed human dermal derived mesenchymal stem cells (hdMSCs) ameliorate lung injury and its therapeutic pathway in ALI mice. @*Methods@#and Results: cP1P treatment significantly stimulated MSC migration and invasion ability. In cytokine array, secretion of vascular-related factors was increased in cP1P primed hdMSCs (hdMSCcP1P ), and cP1P treatment induced inhibition of Lats while increased phosphorylation of Yap. We next determined whether hdMSCcP1P reduce inflammatory response in LPS exposed mice. hdMSCcP1P further decreased infiltration of macrophage and neutrophil, and release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were reduced rather than naïve hdMSC treatment. In addition, phosphorylation of STAT1 and expression of iNOS were significantly decreased in the lungs of MSCcP1P treated mice. @*Conclusions@#Taken together, these data suggest that cP1P treatment enhances hdMSC migration in regulation of Hippo signaling and MSCcP1P provide a therapeutic potential for ALI/ARDS treatment.

Research progress on processing historical evolution, chemical constituents, and pharmacological action of Bombyx Batryticatus / 中国中药杂志

Bombyx Batryticatus is a precious traditional Chinese animal drug commonly used in clinical practice in China, which has the effects of extinguishing wind, stopping convulsions, dispelling wind, relieving pain, resolving phlegm, and dissipating mass. The processing of Bombyx Batryticatus has a long history. As early as in the Liu Song period of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, there was a record of the processing of Bombyx Batryticatus with rice swill. In addition to the processing with bran, honey bran, and ginger juice, which are still used today, there are also processing methods such as rendering, flour processing, wine processing, salt processing, oil processing, charcoal, and red dates processing in ancient times. After processing, the fishy smell of Bombyx Batryticatus can be removed, and avoid nausea and vomiting caused by the direct taking. Furthermore, processing can also facilitate the removal of surface hairs and toxicity reduction, making the medicinal material crispy and easy to crush. Previous studies have shown that the main chemical constituents of Bombyx Batryticatus include protein polypeptides, sterols, and flavonoids, with anticonvulsant, anticoagulation, antithrombotic, anti-cancer, hypnotic, hypoglycemic, and other pharmacological effects. This paper reviewed the processing historical evolution, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects of Bombyx Batryticatus to lay a foundation for the research on the processing mechanism, quality control, and active core substances of Bombyx Batryticatus.

Diagnosis and treatment of apical cyst of deciduous teeth with infection: a case report / 华西口腔医学杂志

There is a high incidence of chronic periapical periodontitis of deciduous teeth, however, there is a low incidence of the apical cyst. This paper reports a 7-year-old child with deciduous periodontitis caused by chronic periapical periodontitis of deciduous teeth. Through literature review, the etiology, imaging characteristics, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment methods were discussed to provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Preliminary clinical experience of the novel transcatheter aortic valve system Prizvalve® for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the novel Prizvalve® system in treating severe aortic stenosis. Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, single-arm, observational study. A total of 11 patients with severe aortic stenosis with high risk or inappropriate for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) were included, and TAVI was achieved with the Prizvalve® system between March 2021 and May 2021 in West China Hospital. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed immediately after prosthesis implantation to evaluate mean transaortic gradient and maximal transaortic velocity. The device success rate was calculated, which was defined as (1) the device being delivered via the access, deployed, implanted and withdrawn, (2) mean transaortic gradient<20 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) or a maximal transaortic velocity<3 m/s post TAVI, and without severe aortic regurgitation or paravalvular leak post TAVI. TTE was performed at 30 days after the surgery, and all-cause mortality as well as the major cardiovascular adverse events (including acute myocardial infarction, disabling hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke) up to 30 days post TAVI were analyzed. Results: The age of 11 included patients were (78.1±6.3) years, with 8 males. A total of 10 patients were with NYHA functional class Ⅲ or Ⅳ. Devices were delivered via the access, deployed, implanted and withdrawn successfully in all patients. Post-implant mean transaortic gradient was (7.55±4.08) mmHg and maximal transaortic velocity was (1.78±0.44) m/s, and both decreased significantly as compared to baseline levels (both P<0.05). No severe aortic regurgitation or paravalvular leak was observed post TAVI. Device success was achieved in all the 11 patients. No patient died or experienced major cardiovascular adverse events up to 30 days post TAVI. Mean transaortic gradient was (9.45±5.07) mmHg and maximal transaortic velocity was (2.05±0.42) m/s at 30 days post TAVI, which were similar as the values measured immediately post TAVI (both P>0.05). Conclusions: TAVI with the Prizvalve® system is a feasible and relatively safe procedure for patients with severe aortic stenosis and at high risk or inappropriate for SAVR. Further clinical studies could be launched to obtain more clinical experience with Prizvalve® system.

Transperineal ultrasonography for treatment response evaluation in children with perianal Crohn’s disease

Purpose@#This study assessed the performance of transperineal ultrasonography (TPUS) in evaluating the treatment response in children with perianal Crohn’s disease (PACD) compared with pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). @*Methods@#This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of our institution, which waived the requirement for informed consent. Twenty-nine patients (19 boys and 10 girls; median age, 14 years [range, 8 to 18 years]) with 56 fistulas were examined. Each fistula’s thickness and abscess size were measured using both modalities, and treatment response was classified as positive or negative based on each modality. The concordance of the classifications was compared between TPUS and pelvic MRI. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the performance of TPUS. @*Results@#TPUS found 80.4% (45/56) of the fistulas. On MRI, 39 fistulas (70%) were classified as having positive treatment responses, and the remaining 17 as having no response. The agreement of the classifications between TPUS and MRI was moderate (κ=0.486; P<0.001; Spearman ρ=0.573; P<0.001). Based on the ROC analysis with the MRI findings as a reference to distinguish positive from negative treatment responses, TPUS exhibited sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 63.3%, 93.3%, 95.0%, 56.0%, and 73.3%, respectively. @*Conclusion@#TPUS can be an appropriate adjuvant imaging modality for pelvic MRI to evaluate the treatment response of PACD in children when initial TPUS detects PACD with a location and imaging features comparable to those visualized on MRI.

A Systematic Literature Review of Shift Workers’ Sleep in Korea / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#The aim of this systematic literature review was to synthesize and investigate the effects of shift workers’sleep in Korea. @*Methods@#A search was conducted through three electronic databases using keywords such as “shift work” or “rotation work” and “sleep”, with sleep as the independent variable, and 17 papers were reviewed. @*Results@#The design of those 17 studies was analyzed in a cross-sectional analysis. The most commonly measured characteristic was quality of sleep, whereas the others were sleep disturbance, sleep efficiency, and sleepiness. The study outcome variables were job-related factors, mental health, wellness, stress, fatigue, and metabolic syndrome. @*Conclusion@#The results inform sleep and health-promoting behaviors and improvement in shift workers’working condition.

Analysis on "the essence of tuina, arrival of qi ensuring curative effect" / 中国针灸

In reference with the systematic review of the thought of deqi (arrival of qi) put forward in Huangdi Neijing (Internal Classic of Yellow Emperor) and other classic books of traditional Chinese medicine, in view of detecting qi and identifying qi before treatment, as well as the prerequisites of deqi in tuina, meaning the accurate syndrome differentiation and manipulations, the importance of deqi in treatment with tuina is expounded. In association with clinical experience, the specific manifestations of deqi in patients during tuina are summarized, e.g. soreness, distention, pain, numbness, warm feeling and slight sweating, local changes in intestinal sound and skin color, as well as mind regulation. It is anticipated that deqi of tuina may be drawn the attention in clinical practice, and the relevant study be expanded.

Structural Equation Modeling for Quality of Life of Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities: Focusing on the Self-Help Model

Purpose@#This study aimed to construct and test a predictive model for the quality of life (QOL) in mothers of children with developmental disabilities (DB). The hypothesized model included severity of illness, distress, uncertainty, self-help, and parenting efficacy as influencing factors, QOL as a consequence based on the Braden’s Self-Help Model. @*Methods@#The data were collected through a direct and online surveys from 206 mothers in 8 locations, including welfare or daycare centers, developmental treatment centers, and The Parents’ Coalition for the Disabled located in two provinces of Korea. Data were analysed using SPSS/WIN 23.0 and AMOS 21.0 program. @*Results@#The fit indices of the predictive model satisfied recommended levels; χ2 = 165.79 (p < .001), normed χ2 (χ2 /df) = 2.44, RMR = .04, RMSEA = .08, GFI = .90, AGFI = .85, NFI = .91, TLI = .93, CFI = .95. Among the variables, distress (β = - .46, p < .001), parenting efficacy (β = .22, p < .001), and self-help (β = .17, p = .018) had direct effects on QOL. Severity of illness (β = - .61, p = .010) and uncertainty (β = - .08, p = .014) showed indirect effects. The explanatory power of variables was 61.0%. @*Conclusion@#The study results confirm the utility of Braden’s Self-Help Model. They provide a theoretical basis for improving QOL in mothers of children with DB. Nursing intervention strategies that can relieve mothers’ distress and uncertainty related to disease and enhance parenting efficacy and self-help behavior should be considered.

Simultaneous determination of 11 active components in Lonicera japonica flowers and leaves at different development stages by HPLC-DAD / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to develop an HPLC-DAD method for simultaneous determination of 11 components(6 phenolic acids and 5 iridoids) in Lonicera japonica flowers(LjF) and leaves(LjL), and compare the content differences of LjF at different development stages, LjL at different maturity levels, and between LjF and LjL. One-way ANOVA, principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were employed to compare the content of the 11 components. The content of total phenolic acids, total iridoid glycosides, and total 11 components in LjF showed an overall downward trend with the development of flowers. The content of total phenolic acids, total iridoid glycosides, and total 11 components in young leaves were higher than those in mature leaves. The results of PCA showed that the samples at different flowering stages had distinguishable differences in component content. The VIP value of OPLS-DA showed that isochlorogenic acid A, chlorogenic acid, and secologanic acid were the main differential components of LjF at different development stages or LjL with different maturity levels. LjF and LjL have certain similarities in chemical composition while significant differences in component content. The content of total phenolic acids in young leaves was significantly higher than that in LjF at various development stages. The content of total iridoid glycosides in young leaves was similar to that in LjF before white flower bud stage. The total content of 11 components in young leaves was significantly higher than that in LjF at green flower bud stage, before and during completely white flower bud stage. LjL have great potential for development. Follow-up research on the pharmacodynamic equivalence of LjF and LjL(especially young leaves) should be carried out to speed up the development and application of LjL.

The Treatment Options and Clinical Significance of Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients with Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis as the Initial Manifestation / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the causes, treatment options and outcomes of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients with splanchnic venous thrombosis (SVT).@*METHODS@#The clinical diagnosis, treatment and outcomes data of one 26-year-old male ITP patient with SVT as initial manifestation were collected. The possible causes and treatment options of the patients were discussed through literatures review.@*RESULTS@#The result of blood routine tests of the patient showed that Plt（17-38）×10@*CONCLUSION@#ITP combined with large scale of SVT is rare, and it is difficult to cure. It should be pay more attention to the possible thrombosis risk triggered by a transiently increased EOS in the blood stream. Promptly etiological treatment and the balance between anticoagulant therapy and bleeding risks should be taken in clinical practice.

Nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day” survey on the nutritional status of hospitalized children in South Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the nutritional status and prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children at admission and during hospitalization in South Korea. @*SUBJECTS/METHODS@#This first cross-sectional nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day (pNday)” survey was conducted among 872 hospitalized children (504 boys, 368 girls; 686 medical, 186 surgical) from 23 hospitals in South Korea. Malnutrition risk was screened using the Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) and the Screening Tool Risk on Nutritional status and Growth. Nutritional status was assessed by z-scores of weight-for-age for underweight, weight-for-height for wasting, and height-for-age for stunting as well as laboratory tests. @*RESULTS@#At admission, of the 872 hospitalized children, 17.2% were underweight, and the prevalence of wasting and stunting was 20.2% and 17.3%, respectively. During hospitalization till pNday, 10.8% and 19.6% experienced weight loss and decreased oral intake, respectively.During the aforementioned period, fasting was more prevalent in surgical patients (7.5%) than in medical patients (1.6%) (P < 0.001). According to the PYMS, 34.3% and 30% of the children at admission and on pNday, respectively, had a high-risk of malnutrition, requiring consultation with the nutritional support team (NST). However, only 4% were actually referred to the NST during hospitalization. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Malnutrition was prevalent at admission and during hospitalization in pediatric patients, with many children experiencing weight loss and poor oral intake. To improve the nutritional status of hospitalized children, it is important to screen and identify all children at risk of malnutrition and refer malnourished patients to the multidisciplinary NST for proper nutritional interventions.

Usefulness of Endoscopic Hill Grade in Evaluating Children Suspected of Having Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Background/Aims@#This study aim to evaluate the relationship between the Hill grade confirmed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and the degree of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) in children suspected of having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). @*Methods@#A retrospective review of 105 children and adolescents who underwent EGD and MII-pH for the evaluation of GERD from March 2013 to July 2019 was performed. Clinical features and results of EGD and 24-hour MII-pH were collected and statistically analyzed. @*Results@#Hill grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 were identified using EGD in 56 (53.3%), 22 (22.0%), 16 (15.2%), and 11 (10.5%) patients, respectively. As the Hill grade increased, the proportion of neurological diseases (P < 0.001) and endoscopic erosive esophagitis (P < 0.001) increased significantly. The acid exposure index, bolus exposure index, number of reflux episodes, and number of GER reaching proximal extent on MII-pH increased significantly as the endoscopic Hill grade increased (all P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed an increase in the Hill grade by 1 increased the acid exposure index by 2.0%, bolus exposure index by 0.7%, number of reflux episodes by 18.9 episodes, and the number of GER reaching the proximal esophagus increased by 10.5 episodes on average (all P < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#Hill grade on EGD was associated with GER in children. Estimating the degree of GER by applying Hill grade in the retroflexion view may be useful in practice when evaluating children suspected with GERD.

Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of iridoid glycosides in Lonicera japonica / 中国中药杂志

As a traditional Chinese medicinal material, Lonicera japonica has a long medicinal history. The chemical constituents of Lonicera japonica are complex, mainly including iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, triterpenes, organic acids and volatile oil. Iridoid glycosides account for a higher proportion. In addition, modern pharmacological studies have shown that the iridoid glycosides have many pharmacological activities such as antivirus, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, liver protection and lowering blood sugar. This review intends to systematically summarize the iridoid glycosides identified from Lonicera japonica and their pharmacological activities by searc-hing Chinese and English databases, in order to provide a reference for the further development and utilization of Lonicera japonica and for the improvement of quality standards of medicinal materials.

Study on Reversal Effect of Quercetin on Human Cervical Squamous Carcinoma Cisplatin-resistant Cell Line SiHa/DDP / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To study the reversal effect of quercetin on human cervical squamous carcinoma cisplatin-resistant cell line SiHa/DDP. METHODS ：The drug resistance index of cisplatin to SiHa/DDP cells ，and the reversal resistance multiple of quercetin to SiHa/DDP cells were determined. The effects of quercetin （0.005 μg/mL），cisplatin（2.5 μg/mL），cisplatin combined with quercetin （2.5 μg/mL cisplatin+0.005 μg/mL quercetin），quercetin combined with pathway inhibitor（0.005 μg/mL quercetin+ 20 nmol/L rapamycin ）on the apoptotic rate of SiHa/DDP cells were investigated ，as well as its effects on the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian rapamycin target protein （mTOR） signaling pathway related proteins （PI3K，Akt，mTOR，P-gp，p70S6K）. RESULTS ：The resistance index of cisplatin to SiHa/DDP cells was 5.19， and reversal resistance multiple of quercetin to SiHa/DDP cells was 4.00. Compared with cisplatin alone and quercetin alone ， cisplatin combined with quercetin ，quercetin combined with rapamycin could significantly increase the apoptotic rate of SiHa/DDP cells（P＜0.05），while decreased the phosphorylation of Akt ，mTOR and p 70S6K protein as well as the expression of P-gp protein （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：Quercetin can effectively reverse drug resistance of SiHa/DDP cells to cisplatin ，which may be associated with inhibiting the expression of the protein related to PI 3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day” survey on the nutritional status of hospitalized children in South Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the nutritional status and prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children at admission and during hospitalization in South Korea. @*SUBJECTS/METHODS@#This first cross-sectional nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day (pNday)” survey was conducted among 872 hospitalized children (504 boys, 368 girls; 686 medical, 186 surgical) from 23 hospitals in South Korea. Malnutrition risk was screened using the Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) and the Screening Tool Risk on Nutritional status and Growth. Nutritional status was assessed by z-scores of weight-for-age for underweight, weight-for-height for wasting, and height-for-age for stunting as well as laboratory tests. @*RESULTS@#At admission, of the 872 hospitalized children, 17.2% were underweight, and the prevalence of wasting and stunting was 20.2% and 17.3%, respectively. During hospitalization till pNday, 10.8% and 19.6% experienced weight loss and decreased oral intake, respectively.During the aforementioned period, fasting was more prevalent in surgical patients (7.5%) than in medical patients (1.6%) (P < 0.001). According to the PYMS, 34.3% and 30% of the children at admission and on pNday, respectively, had a high-risk of malnutrition, requiring consultation with the nutritional support team (NST). However, only 4% were actually referred to the NST during hospitalization. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Malnutrition was prevalent at admission and during hospitalization in pediatric patients, with many children experiencing weight loss and poor oral intake. To improve the nutritional status of hospitalized children, it is important to screen and identify all children at risk of malnutrition and refer malnourished patients to the multidisciplinary NST for proper nutritional interventions.

Usefulness of Endoscopic Hill Grade in Evaluating Children Suspected of Having Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Background/Aims@#This study aim to evaluate the relationship between the Hill grade confirmed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and the degree of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) in children suspected of having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). @*Methods@#A retrospective review of 105 children and adolescents who underwent EGD and MII-pH for the evaluation of GERD from March 2013 to July 2019 was performed. Clinical features and results of EGD and 24-hour MII-pH were collected and statistically analyzed. @*Results@#Hill grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 were identified using EGD in 56 (53.3%), 22 (22.0%), 16 (15.2%), and 11 (10.5%) patients, respectively. As the Hill grade increased, the proportion of neurological diseases (P < 0.001) and endoscopic erosive esophagitis (P < 0.001) increased significantly. The acid exposure index, bolus exposure index, number of reflux episodes, and number of GER reaching proximal extent on MII-pH increased significantly as the endoscopic Hill grade increased (all P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed an increase in the Hill grade by 1 increased the acid exposure index by 2.0%, bolus exposure index by 0.7%, number of reflux episodes by 18.9 episodes, and the number of GER reaching the proximal esophagus increased by 10.5 episodes on average (all P < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#Hill grade on EGD was associated with GER in children. Estimating the degree of GER by applying Hill grade in the retroflexion view may be useful in practice when evaluating children suspected with GERD.

Clinical analysis of left atrial appendage occlusion for stroke prevention in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation / 中华内科杂志

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) over 75 years. A total of 82 patients with AF who underwent LAAO successfully in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from March 2014 to March 2019 were divided into two groups according to age: the elderly group (aged>75 years) and the young group (aged ≤75 years). Risk of perioperative complications and incidence of ischemic stroke and major bleeding during follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in procedure-related ischemic stroke(0 vs.1.6%, P=0.768) and major bleeding (0 vs.1.6%, P=0.768) during perioperative period between the two groups. No complications as death or pericardial tamponade occurred in the two group. During a (25.9±15.9) months period of followed up, ischemic stroke event rate was 3.6/100 person-years in the elderly group and 4.9/100 person-years in the young group, respectively. Major bleeding event rate was 2.5/100 person-years in the elderly group and 0/100 person-years in the young group, respectively. Compared with the expected ones, the relative risk reduction (RRR) of stroke in the elderly group was more profound than that in the young group (32.0% vs. 25.0%), while the risk of major bleeding in the young group was significantly lower than that in the elderly group (RRR 100% vs. 56.9%). Therefore, LAAO might be suitable for stroke prevention in the elderly AF patients.

Comparison of loss of response between anti-tumor necrosis factor alone and combined use with immunomodulators in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background/Aims@#Combination therapy with immunomodulators (IMMs) was proposed as a strategy to prevent the development of loss of response (LOR) to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the effect is unclear in patients already exposed to IMMs. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether combination therapy with IMMs is superior to monotherapy for prevention of LOR to anti-TNF. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective study of patients in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital with IBD between January 2009 and October 2018. LOR was defined as clinical deterioration after maintenance of anti-TNF for at least 6 months. We investigated the difference in incidence of LOR to anti-TNF between the monotherapy and combination groups. We additionally assessed factors affecting LOR development to anti-TNF. @*Results@#A total of 116 patients with IBD were included in this study (monotherapy 61 patients; combination 55 patients). Overall, LOR to anti-TNF occurred in 31 patients during the follow-up period. The combination of an anti-TNF agent and IMM showed no significant difference in the incidence of LOR compared to anti-TNF agent monotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.786 to 3.148; p = 0.182). Female sex was significantly associated with the development of LOR to anti-TNF (HR, 3.032; 95% CI, 1.467 to 6.268; p = 0.003). @*Conclusions@#Anti-TNF and IMM combination therapy did not prove efficacious in preventing the development of LOR in IBD patients. Female sex was associated with the development of LOR to anti-TNF; further studies are required to confirm these results.

Organoid Model in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive- fibrosing disease characterized by extensive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), scarring of the lung parenchyma. Despite increased awareness of IPF, etiology and physiological mechanism of IPF are unclear. Therefore, preclinical model will require relevant and recapitulative features of IPF. Recently, pluripotent stem cells (PSC)-based organoid studies are emerging as an alternative approach able to recapitulate tissue architecture with remarkable fidelity. Moreover, these biomimetic tissue models can be served to investigate the mechanisms of diverse disease progression. In this review, we will overview the current organoids technology for human disease modeling including lung organoids for IPF.

Reduced receptor for advanced glycation end products is associated with α-SMA expression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and mice / 한국실험동물학회지

Background@#Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive interstitial lung disease. Despite alveolar epithelial cells is crucial role in lung, its contribution and the associated biomarker remain unknown in the pathogenesis of IPF. Recently, environmental factors including stone dust, silica and cigarette smoking were found as risk factors involved in IPF. Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a member of the immunoglobulin super family of cell surface receptors. It has been shown that interaction between RAGE and its ligands on immune cells mediates cellular migration and regulation of pro-inflammation. RAGE is highly expressed in the lung, in particular, alveolar epithelial cells. Therefore, we determined whether RAGE expression is associated with fibrosis-associated genes in patients with IPF and mice. @*Results@#When bleomycin (BLM) was intratracheally administered to C57BL/6 mice for 1, 2 weeks, macrophage and neutrophils were significantly increased. The fibrotic nodule formed and accumulation of collagen was determined after BLM injection in H&E- and Masson’s trichrome staining. Levels of elastin, Col1a1 and fibronectin were increased in quantitative real-time PCR and protein levels of α-SMA was increased in western blot analysis. In the lung tissues of 1 mg/kg BLM-induced mice, RAGE expression was gradually decreased in 1- and 2 weeks in immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis, and 3 mg/kg of BLM-induced mice exhibited decreased RAGE levels while α-SMA expression was increased. We next determined RAGE expression in the lungs of IPF patients using immunohistochemistry.As a result, RAGE expression was decreased, while α-SMA expression was increased compared with non-IPF subjects. @*Conclusions@#Our findings suggest that reduced RAGE was associated with increased fibrotic genes in BLM-induced mice and patients with IPF. Therefore, RAGE could be applied with a biomarker for prognosis and diagnosis in the pathogenesis of IPF.