The use of thermogenic dietary supplements has led to growing concerns about potential adverse health effects. A 19-year-old female patient experienced recurrent blurred vision after consuming thermogenic dietary supplements for 5 weeks and eating only one meal per day. Initial brain imaging showed a lesion at the corpus callosum, which disappeared after a month, and her symptoms resolved within 2 days. The potential risks associated with using thermogenic dietary supplements in combination with intermittent fasting need to be carefully considered.

Purpose: Evidence suggests that long-term air pollution exposures may induce depression; however, the influence of physical activity on this effect is unclear. We investigated modification of the associations between air pollution exposures and depression by the intensity of physical activity. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1454 Korean adults. Depression was defined as a Geriatric Depression Scale score ≥8. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5: diameter ≤10 μm and ≤2.5 μm, respectively) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) level at each participant’s residential address were estimated. Based on metabolic equivalents, physical activity intensity was categorized as inactive, minimally active, or health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA). Results: Each 1-part per billion (ppb) NO2 concentration increase was significantly associated with a 6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 4%–8%] increase in depression risk. In older adults (≥65 years), a 1-ppb NO2 increase was associated (95% CI) with a 4% (1%–7%), 9% (5%–13%), and 21% (9%–33%) increase in depression risk in the inactive, minimally active, and HEPA groups, respectively. Compared with the inactive group, the minimally active (p=0.039) and HEPA groups (p=0.004) had higher NO2 exposure-associated depression risk. Associations of PM10 and PM2.5 with depression did not significantly differ by the intensity of physical activity. Conclusion We suggest that older adults who vigorously exercise outdoors may be susceptible to air pollution-related depression.

As the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients increased rapidly, the Korean government decided to pay most of the related medical expenses with finances from the National Health Insurance (NHI). We aimed to document changes in NHI medical expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic period. We also sought to compare how Japan and Taiwan, neighboring countries with NHI systems, responded to COVID-19 and to discuss policy implications.

Microplastics are environmental pollutants that prevail in the oceans, remote islands, and polar regions. Exposure to microplastics presents a major emerging threat to the ecosystems due to their potential adverse effects. Herein, we reviewed the literature to provide an up-to-date synopsis of the current understanding of the sources, compositions, and adverse effects of microplastics in humans and the environment. Most studies on microplastics have focused on developing standardized methods for monitoring the occurrence, distribution, and movement of microplastics in the environment, as well as developing microplastic substitutes; however, although humans are exposed to microplastics via various routes, research on the adverse effects of microplastics in humans remains limited. Little is known about the impact of microplastics on human health and the toxic effects that may vary depending on the type, size, shape, and concentration of microplastics. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of microplastic toxicity and related pathologies.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic strategies that can promote platelet production are in demand to enhance clinical outcomes of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Our research group has studied human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) and their effectiveness in promoting bone marrow (BM) engraftment. Here, we analyzed the effects of T-MSCs on platelet production and hemostasis. METHODS: Donor BM cells (BMCs) were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and transplanted with or without T-MSCs to BALB/c recipient mice. Mice were sacrificed and blood cells were counted using an Auto Hematology Analyzer. Femur sections were stained with CD41 antibody to analyze megakaryocytes in the BM. Growth factor secretion from MSCs was analyzed using the Quantibody Array. Effects of T-MSC conditioned medium (CM) on megakaryopoiesis were investigated using the MegaCult assay. In a mouse model of BMT, T-MSC CM was injected with or without anti-placental growth factor (a-PlGF) blocking antibody, and blood cell numbers and coagulation were analyzed. RESULTS: T-MSC co-transplantation increased percent survival of BMT mice. Platelet numbers were significantly lower in the BMC-only group, whereas T-MSC co-transplantation restored circulating platelets to levels similar to those of the control group. Significantly reduced numbers of CD41 ? megakaryocytes in Bu-Cy and BMC groups were increased by T-MSC co-transplantation. PlGF secretion from T-MSCs were detected and enhanced megakaryopoiesis, platelet production, and coagulation by T-MCS CM were disrupted in the presence of the a-PlGF blocking antibody. CONCLUSION We demonstrated the effectiveness of T-MSC co-transplantation in promoting platelet production and coagulation after BMT. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic relevance of T-MSCs for preventing thrombocytopenia after BMT.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells are immune sentinels in the skin that respond to a wide range of pathological and environmental stimuli; they owe their function to the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). We previously found that tonsilderived mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs) were able to effectively attenuate TLR7-mediated skin inflammation in mice, which was accompanied by an increase in mast cell number. The present study investigated whether T-MSC extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, are able to regulate mast cell activation in response to TLR7 stimulation. METHODS: The HMC-1 human mast cell line was treated with a TLR7 agonist in the presence or absence of T-MSC exosomes, and the levels of expressed inflammatory cytokines were assessed. Additionally, mice were repeatedly injected with a TLR7 agonist with or without interval treatments with T-MSC exosomes and assessed dermal distribution of mast cells and related immune cells. RESULTS: We showed that T-MSC exosomes containing microRNAs that target inflammatory cytokines significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines in TLR7 agonist-treated HMC-1 cells. In addition, T-MSC exosomes inhibited the increase in the number of both dermal mast cells and CD14-positive cells in TLR7 agonist-treated mice. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that T-MSC exosomes have regulatory effects on mast cell activation under inflammatory conditions, including TLR7 stimulation.

Purpose: Microbiota manipulation through selected probiotics may be a promising tool to prevent cancer development as well as onset, to improve clinical efficacy for cancer treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate change in microbiota composition after-probiotics supplementation and assessed the efficacy of probiotics in improving quality of life (QOL) in postoperative cancer patients. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 30 cancer patients from February to October 2020 before (group I) and after (group II) 8 weeks of probiotics supplementation. We performed 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing to evaluate differences in gut microbiota between groups by comparing gut microbiota diversity, overall composition, and taxonomic signature abundance. The health-related QOL was evaluated through the EORTC Quality of life Questionnaire Core 30 questionnaire. Results: Statistically significant differences were noted in group II; increase of Shannon and Simpson index (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001), decrease of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria at the phylum level (P = 0.032 and P = 0.014, retrospectively), increased of beneficial bacteria such as Weissella (0.096% vs. 0.361%, P < 0.004), Lactococcus (0.023% vs. 0.16%, P < 0.001), and Catenibacterium (0.0% vs. 0.005%, P < 0.042) at the genus level. There was a significant improvement in sleep disturbance (P = 0.039) in group II. Conclusion Gut microbiota in cancer patients can be manipulated by specific probiotic strains, result in an altered microbiota. Microbiota modulation by probiotics can be considered as part of a supplement that helps to increase gut microbiota diversity and improve QOL in cancer patients after surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the age-related clinical features, risk factors, and prognoses of bacterial keratitis in Daejeon and Chungcheong provinces and the patterns and trends of fluoroquinolone antibiotic susceptibility. Methods: Medical records of 433 patients (433 eyes) who visited one of the five university hospitals in Daejeon and Chungcheong provinces and were diagnosed as culture-positive bacterial keratitis between January 2000 to December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into younger and older groups based on an age of 60 years. Predisposing factors, prognostic factors, treatment method, causative organisms, and susceptibility to fluoroquinolone were analyzed. Results: Two hundred seventy three males (63.0%) and 160 females (37.0%) were included. The most common risk factors in the younger group were contact lens wear (27.5%) and trauma and foreign body (27.0%). The most common risk factors in the older group were trauma and foreign body (30.5%). Staphylococcus species was the most common causative Gram-positive bacteria, regardless of age, and Pseudomonas species was the most common among Gram-negative bacteria. The older group tended to have more severe keratitis required more surgical treatment and had a worse visual outcome than the younger group (p < 0.05). As of 2011, the resistance to fluoroquinolone did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions Bacterial keratitis in Daejeon and Chungcheong provinces indicated more severe clinical aspects and worse prognoses in older patients showing similar results from previous studies. Caution regarding trauma and foreign bodies and managing previous ocular disease is necessary for all age groups. Education regarding adequate contact lens care and hygiene is required for younger (<60 years) patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the age-related clinical features, risk factors, and prognoses of bacterial keratitis in Daejeon and Chungcheong provinces and the patterns and trends of fluoroquinolone antibiotic susceptibility. Methods: Medical records of 433 patients (433 eyes) who visited one of the five university hospitals in Daejeon and Chungcheong provinces and were diagnosed as culture-positive bacterial keratitis between January 2000 to December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into younger and older groups based on an age of 60 years. Predisposing factors, prognostic factors, treatment method, causative organisms, and susceptibility to fluoroquinolone were analyzed. Results: Two hundred seventy three males (63.0%) and 160 females (37.0%) were included. The most common risk factors in the younger group were contact lens wear (27.5%) and trauma and foreign body (27.0%). The most common risk factors in the older group were trauma and foreign body (30.5%). Staphylococcus species was the most common causative Gram-positive bacteria, regardless of age, and Pseudomonas species was the most common among Gram-negative bacteria. The older group tended to have more severe keratitis required more surgical treatment and had a worse visual outcome than the younger group (p < 0.05). As of 2011, the resistance to fluoroquinolone did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions Bacterial keratitis in Daejeon and Chungcheong provinces indicated more severe clinical aspects and worse prognoses in older patients showing similar results from previous studies. Caution regarding trauma and foreign bodies and managing previous ocular disease is necessary for all age groups. Education regarding adequate contact lens care and hygiene is required for younger (<60 years) patients.

PURPOSE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause serious respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia, asthma, and bronchiolitis in infants and elderly or immunocompromised individuals. An RSV vaccine has yet to be developed; only prophylactic anti-RSV antibody is commercially available. So, we investigated whether our vaccine candidate is able to induce type 1 CD4+ T helper (Th1), CD8+ T-cell responses, and protective immunity without vaccine-enhanced disease (VED) against RSV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used RSV G protein fragment (Gcf A) with recombinant baculovirus capable of expressing the RSV M2 protein (Bac M2) as a vaccine candidate, and injected this vaccine (Gcf A/Bac M2) intramuscularly, and challenged with RSV intranasally into mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, plaque assay, and weight measurement were performed to confirm humoral immunity, cellular immunity, and protective immunity. RESULTS: The Gcf A/Bac M2 formulation induced a stronger IgG response to Gcf A than Gcf A inoculation alone, and the ratio of IgG1/IgG2a indicated that the responses shifted predominantly to Th1. In addition, both RSV G-specific Th1 responses and RSV M2-specific CD8+ T-cell responses were induced, and G protein-associated eosinophilic infiltration was suppressed compared to the control group. Moreover, the Gcf A/Bac M2 group showed effective protection after an RSV challenge. CONCLUSION: Bac M2 could serve as a vaccine with intrinsic adjuvant activity, and the Gcf A/Bac M2 shows promise as a vaccine candidate for inducing protective immunity without inciting VED.
Aged ; Animals ; Asthma ; Baculoviridae* ; Bronchiolitis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Flow Cytometry ; GTP-Binding Proteins* ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunity, Humoral ; Immunoglobulin G ; Infant ; Mice ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses* ; T-Lymphocytes