Healing process in scarring inevitably produces a considerable amount of non-organized dense collagen-rich matrix called scar thus impairing the native structure of skin. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) overexpression within healing tissues is known to play an imperative role in collagen production stimulated by transforming growth factor-beta in cutaneous wound healing. Undoubtedly, the knockdown of CTGF expression through siRNA-mediated gene silencing could simply impede the scarring process. However, the less stability and low transfection of siRNAs themselves urge a safe carrier to protect and transfect them into cells at a high rate avoiding toxicities. Here, we developed a degradable poly(sorbitol-co-PEI) (PSPEI), prepared by polymerization of sorbitol diacrylate with low molecular weight polyethylenimine, which has high transfection efficiency but low cytotoxicity, and utilized it in siCTGF delivery to silence the expression of CTGF in an animal model of cutaneous wound healing. Unlike contracted scar in normal healing, there was no or less contraction in the healed skin of mice treated with siCTGF using PSPEI. Histologically, the healed tissues also had distinct papillary structures and dense irregular connective tissues that were lacking in the control scar tissues. This study exemplifies a successful treatment of cutaneous wound healing using a polymer system coupled with RNA interference. Hence, the approach holds a great promise for developing new treatments with novel targets in regenerative medicines.
Animals ; Cicatrix* ; Collagen ; Connective Tissue ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Gene Silencing ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Molecular Weight ; Polyethyleneimine ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Regenerative Medicine ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering* ; Skin ; Sorbitol ; Transfection ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

Background: Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a well-known cause of zoonotic tuberculosis in cattle and deer, and has been investigated in many physiological and molecular studies. However, detailed genome-level studies of M. bovis have not been performed in Korea. Objectives: To survey whole genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants in Korean M. bovis field isolates and to define M. bovis groups in Korea by comparing SNP typing with spoligotyping and variable number tandem repeat typing. Methods: A total of 46 M. bovis field isolates, isolated from laryngopharyngeal lymph nodes and lungs of Korean cattle, wild boar, and Korean water deer, were used to identify SNPs by performing whole-genome sequencing. SNP sites were confirmed via polymerase chain reaction using 87 primer pairs. Results: We identified 34 SNP sites with different frequencies across M. bovis isolates, and performed SNP typing and epidemiological analysis, which divided the 46 field isolates into 16 subtypes. Conclusions Through SNP analysis, detailed differences in samples with identical spoligotypes could be detected. SNP analysis is, therefore, a useful epidemiological tracing tool that could enable better management of bovine TB, thus preventing further outbreaks and reducing the impact of this disease.

Background: Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a well-known cause of zoonotic tuberculosis in cattle and deer, and has been investigated in many physiological and molecular studies. However, detailed genome-level studies of M. bovis have not been performed in Korea. Objectives: To survey whole genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants in Korean M. bovis field isolates and to define M. bovis groups in Korea by comparing SNP typing with spoligotyping and variable number tandem repeat typing. Methods: A total of 46 M. bovis field isolates, isolated from laryngopharyngeal lymph nodes and lungs of Korean cattle, wild boar, and Korean water deer, were used to identify SNPs by performing whole-genome sequencing. SNP sites were confirmed via polymerase chain reaction using 87 primer pairs. Results: We identified 34 SNP sites with different frequencies across M. bovis isolates, and performed SNP typing and epidemiological analysis, which divided the 46 field isolates into 16 subtypes. Conclusions Through SNP analysis, detailed differences in samples with identical spoligotypes could be detected. SNP analysis is, therefore, a useful epidemiological tracing tool that could enable better management of bovine TB, thus preventing further outbreaks and reducing the impact of this disease.

Objective: The Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) has been validated in more than 30 languages and is noted for its broad application in research and clinical settings. This study presents the first attempt to examine the reliability and validity of the TEMPS-A in Korea. Methods: A total of 540 non-clinical participants completed the Korean TEMPS-A, which was adapted from the original English version via a comprehensive translation procedure. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α, and associations between temperaments were examined using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed, and differences in TEMPS-A scores between the gender- and age-based groups were examined using Kruskal-Wallis analysis. Results: The Korean TEMPS-A exhibited excellent internal consistency (0.70–0.91) and significant correlations between subscales. EFA resulted in a two-factor structure: Factor I (depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious) and Factor II (hyperthymic). Gender and age group differences were observed. Conclusion Overall, our results suggest that TEMPS-A is a reliable and valid measure of affective temperaments for the Korean population. This study opens new possibilities for further research on affective temperaments and their related traits.

Objective: Mood instability (MI) is a clinically significant trait associated with psychiatric disorders. However, there are no concise measurements to evaluate MI. The initial Mood Instability Questionnaire-Trait (MIQ-T) was developed to fill this gap. The current study aimed to create a short form of MIQ-T (MIQ-T-SF) that measures MI with high validity and reliability in the Korean general population. Methods: Of the 59 items in the MIQ-T, 17 items were chosen for the MIQ-T-SF following the factor analysis process. In total, 540 participants completed the MIQ-T-SF. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega were used to evaluate reliability. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to determine construct validity. Concurrent validity was confirmed via comparisons with Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Features Scale. Measurement invariance across gender and age groups was confirmed before analyzing differences in scores using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The MIQ-T-SF displayed expected correlations and high internal consistency (α=0.71–0.90, Ωt=0.72–0.92). Using EFA and CFA, a five-factor structure was confirmed. Measurement invariance was supported, and gender differences were observed. Conclusion The MIQ-T-SF is an accurate and reliable method to detect MI in the Korean general population. The study’s results offer new perspectives for future studies on MI.

Objective: Mood disorder and borderline personality pathology (BPP) are frequently comorbid and relate to childhood trauma. We investigated the relationship between childhood trauma and BPP features in mood disorder patients versus controls. Methods: A total of 488 mood disorder patients, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar I disorder (BD I), and bipolar II disorder (BD II), and 734 controls were included. We examined between-group BPP-related differences and correlated between BPP and childhood trauma using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ) and the Personality Assessment Inventory–Borderline Features Scale. Results: BD II patients showed significantly higher BPP. Emotional abuse and neglect were prominently associated with BPP, while affective instability and negative relationships exhibited a stronger association with childhood trauma. We also found a positive relationship between childhood trauma and BPP in MDD, BD I, and BD II patients. Conclusion The findings of the present study imply that BPP features are more likely to be found in patients with BD II than BD I or MDD. Mood disorder patients with severe childhood trauma may have higher BPP features. Thus, further study of the relationship between childhood trauma and BPP features could improve the therapeutic approaches and help understand patients with mood disorders.

Objective To investigate the effect of Gymnema sylvestre extract (GS) on initial anti-obesity, liver injury, and glucose homeostasis induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods The dry powder of GS was extracted with methanol, and gymnemic acid was identified by high performance liquid chromatography as deacyl gymnemic acid. Male C57BL/6J mice that fed on either a normal diet, normal diet containing 1 g/kg GS (CON+GS), HFD, or HFD containing 1.0 g/kg GS (HFD + GS) for 4 weeks were used to test the initial anti-obesity effect of GS. Body weight gain and food intake, and serum levels about lipid and liver injury markers were measured. Histopathology of adipose tissue and liver stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and oil-red O were analyzed. After 4 weeks of GS extract feeding, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed. Results The methanol extracts of GS exerted significant anti-obesity effects in HFD + GS group. They decreased body weight gain, a lower food and energy efficiency ratio, and showed lower serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol and leptin compared with the HFD group. The decreases of abdominal as well as epididymal fat weight and adipocyte hypertrophy, lipid droplets in liver, and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were also observed. The CON + GS group showed an effect of glucose homeostasis compared to the CON group. Conclusions This study shows that GS provide the possibility as a key role in an initial anti-obesity effects feeding with a HFD.