A systemic treatment of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is known to improve healings of damaged tissues. However, recent studies suggested local actions of G-CSF on the healing processes of damaged tissues. We investigated the treatment effect of locally injected G-CSF and compared to that of systemically injected G-CSF in a rat model. A wound was created on the rat dorsum and treated either by local injection or by systemic injection of G-CSF. Wound healing rate, deposition of collagen, and gene expression were evaluated. G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) protein was detected by Western blotting. The wound healing rate in the local injection group was significantly higher than that in the systemic injection group at days 9 and 15; it was also significantly higher than that in the control group at days 3, 9, and 15. The expression of G-CSFR protein in wound tissues was higher than in normal skin tissues. The local injection of G-CSF is more effective than systemic injection of G-CSF in promoting wound healing, which may implicate the local action of G-CSF treatment in wound healing processes.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Collagen ; Gene Expression ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Models, Animal ; Rats* ; Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Skin ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

Alnus sibirica (AS) geographically distributes in Korea, Japan, Northeast China and Russia. The bark of this plant had been used for antipyretic, expectorant, anti-phlogistic, antitussive, anti-asthmatic and as a health tea for alcoholism. Recently, we studied various biological activities of AS and the isolated diarylheptanoid. In present study, we conducted fermentation of AS (FAS) and isolated two diarylheptanoid (hirsutenone and muricarpone B). Moreover, we established the validation and contents determinations of the two compounds by HPLC on FAS.
Alcoholism ; Alnus* ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Fermentation ; Japan ; Korea ; Plants ; Russia ; Tea

Objective To compare the pedaling force and lower extremity electromyography (EMG) with different cadences (60, 75, 90 r/min) and diverse cycling intensities (50%, 65%, 80% POV) and study the different influence on exerciser's pedaling force and lower extremity EMG. Methods Twelve healthy males participated in this study, and underwent two stages. In stage 1 the power output test at VO2max (POV) was got by cycle ergometer. In stage 2, nine conditions (3 kinds of intensities × 3 kinds of cadences) were completed respectively by using counter-balance design to record the changes for their pedaling force and lower extremity EMG. Results The negative pedaling work was significantly increased with the cadence increasing, and the appearing time of the peak pedaling force was significantly shifted forward in the cycle. When the crank angle was at 270°, the average increase of the pedaling force with the cadence increasing could obtain 1.84 times higher. In general, the firing rate of lower extremity muscular activation would be increased with the cadence increasing. Conclusions The cadence has greater effect on the pedaling force and lower extremity EMG. The tendency of pedaling force was shifted forward and the pattern of pedaling force became smoother with the cadence increasing. There are no significant differences among the diverse intensities. Based on the pedaling efficiency in this study, the optimal cadence for untrained people should be 60 r/min.

Background: We previously, reported that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces cardiomyocyte apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, we investigated whether the mechanisms underlying of the anti-apoptotic effects of G-CSF were associated with autophagy using a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Diabetic cardiomyopathy was induced in rats through a high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin and the rats were then treated with G-CSF for 5 days. Rat H9c2 cardiac cells were cultured under high glucose conditions as an in vitro model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The extent of apoptosis and protein levels related to autophagy (Beclin-1, microtubule-binding protein light chain 3 [LC3]-II/LC3-I ratio, and P62) were determined for both models. Autophagy determination was performed using an Autophagy Detection kit. Results: G-CSF significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the diabetic myocardium in vivo and led to an increase in Beclin-1 level and the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and decreased P62 level. Similarly, G-CSF suppressed apoptosis, increased Beclin-1 level and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and decreased P62 level in high glucose-induced H9c2 cardiac cells in vitro. These effects of G-CSF were abrogated by 3-methyladenine, an autophagy inhibitor. In addition, G-CSF significantly increased autophagic flux in vitro. Conclusion Our results suggest that the anti-apoptotic effect of G-CSF might be significantly associated with the up-regulation of autophagy in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Background: We previously, reported that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces cardiomyocyte apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, we investigated whether the mechanisms underlying of the anti-apoptotic effects of G-CSF were associated with autophagy using a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Diabetic cardiomyopathy was induced in rats through a high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin and the rats were then treated with G-CSF for 5 days. Rat H9c2 cardiac cells were cultured under high glucose conditions as an in vitro model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The extent of apoptosis and protein levels related to autophagy (Beclin-1, microtubule-binding protein light chain 3 [LC3]-II/LC3-I ratio, and P62) were determined for both models. Autophagy determination was performed using an Autophagy Detection kit. Results: G-CSF significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the diabetic myocardium in vivo and led to an increase in Beclin-1 level and the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and decreased P62 level. Similarly, G-CSF suppressed apoptosis, increased Beclin-1 level and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and decreased P62 level in high glucose-induced H9c2 cardiac cells in vitro. These effects of G-CSF were abrogated by 3-methyladenine, an autophagy inhibitor. In addition, G-CSF significantly increased autophagic flux in vitro. Conclusion Our results suggest that the anti-apoptotic effect of G-CSF might be significantly associated with the up-regulation of autophagy in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the process of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. We have previously reported that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) ameliorated diastolic dysfunction and attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis in a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we hypothesized a regulatory role of cardiac miRNAs in the mechanism of the anti-apoptotic effect of G-CSF in a diabetic cardiomyopathy rat model. METHODS: Rats were given a high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin injection and then randomly allocated to receive treatment with either G-CSF or saline. H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes were cultured under a high glucose (HG) condition to induce diabetic cardiomyopathy in vitro. We examined the extent of apoptosis, miRNA expression, and miRNA target genes in the myocardium and H9c2 cells. RESULTS: G-CSF treatment significantly decreased apoptosis and reduced miR-34a expression in diabetic myocardium and H9c2 cells under the HG condition. G-CSF treatment also significantly increased B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein expression as a target for miR-34a. In addition, transfection with an miR-34a mimic significantly increased apoptosis and decreased Bcl-2 luciferase activity in H9c2 cells. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that G-CSF might have an anti-apoptotic effect through down-regulation of miR-34a in a diabetic cardiomyopathy rat model.

To determine the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we explored the clinical characteristics of patients with DM and compared risk factors such as age, glycemic control, and medications to those without DM.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic that had affected more than eight million people worldwide by June 2020. Given the importance of the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) for host immunity, we retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 in patients with diabetes.

Thermal ablation using radiofrequency is a new, minimally invasive modality employed as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers. The Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed recommendations for the optimal use of radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules. These recommendations are based on a comprehensive analysis of the current literature, the results of multicenter studies, and expert consensus.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Catheter Ablation/*methods ; Consensus ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/parasitology/surgery ; Patient Safety ; Radio Waves ; Republic of Korea ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery ; Thyroid Nodule/pathology/*surgery ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Radiofrequency ablation is a new non-surgical treatment modality for patients with benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers. The Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed recommendations for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers using radiofrequency ablation. These recommendations are based on evidence from the current literature and expert consensus.
Advisory Committees ; Consensus ; Ethanol ; Humans ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule