Background: Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are non-selective cationic channels with perme‑ ability to ­Ca2+ and ­Na+ . Despite their importance, there are currently few studies on TRPC in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and bone cells in the dental field. To provide biological information regarding TRPC in PDL cells and periodontal tissue, we evaluated TRPC channels expression in the osteoblast differentiation of PDL cells and periodontitis-induced tissue. Human PDL cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation media for 28 days, and the expression of Runx2, osteocalcin (OCN), and TRPC1, 3, 4, and 6 was evaluated by real-time PCR. In ligature-induced periodontitis mice, the alveolar bone and osteoid areas, the osteoclast number, and the expression of Runx2, OCN, TRPC3, and TRPC6 was evaluated by H&E staining, TRAP staining, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: In the PDL cell differentiation group, TRPC6 expression peaked on day 7 and TRPC3 expression generally increased during differentiation. During the 28 days of periodontitis progression, alveolar bone loss and osteoclast numbers increased compared to the control group during the experimental period and the osteoid area increased from day 14. TRPC6 expression in the periodontitis group increased in the PDL area and in the osteoblasts compared to the control group, whereas TRPC3 expression increased only in the PDL area on days 7 and 28. Conclusions These results indicate changes of TRPC3 and TRPC6 expression in PDL cells that were differentiating into osteoblasts and in periodontitis-induced tissue, suggesting the need for research on the role of TRPC in osteo‑ blast differentiation or periodontitis progression.

Cell-based therapies have been used as promising treatments for several untreatable diseases. However, cellbased therapies have side effects such as tumorigenesis and immune responses. To overcome these side effects, therapeutic effects of exosomes have been researched as replacements for cell-based therapies. In addition, exosomes reduced the risk that can be induced by cell-based therapies. Exosomes contain biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that play an essential role in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions during biological processes. Since the introduction of exosomes, those have been proven perpetually as one of the most effective and therapeutic methods for incurable diseases. Much research has been conducted to enhance the properties of exosomes, including immune regulation, tissue repair, and regeneration. However, yield rate of exosomes is the critical obstacle that should be overcome for practical cell-free therapy. Three-dimensional (3D) culture methods are introduced as a breakthrough to get higher production yields of exosomes. For example, hanging drop and microwell were well known 3D culture methods and easy to use without invasiveness. However, these methods have limitation in mass production of exosomes. Therefore, a scaffold, spinner flask, and fiber bioreactor were introduced for mass production of exosomes isolated from various cell types. Furthermore, exosomes treatments derived from 3D cultured cells showed enhanced cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and immunosuppressive properties. This review provides therapeutic applications of exosomes using 3D culture methods.

This study aimed to determine the impact of dysglycemia on myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction in acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs). From 2005 to 2016, a total of 1,593 patients with AMIs who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. The patients were classified into five groups according to the admission glucose level: ≤80, 81 to 140, 141 to 200, 201 to 260, and ≥261 mg/dL. The clinical and echocardiographic parameters and 30-day mortality were analyzed. The peak troponin I and white blood cell levels had a positive linear relationship to the admission glucose level. The left ventricular ejection fraction had an inverted U-shape trend, and the E/E' ratio was U-shaped based on euglycemia. The 30-day mortality also increased as the admission glucose increased, and the cut-off value for predicting the mortality was 202.5 mg/dL. Dysglycemia, especially hyperglycemia, appears to be associated with myocardial injury and could be another adjunctive parameter for predicting mortality in patients with AMIs.

This study aimed to determine the impact of dysglycemia on myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction in acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs). From 2005 to 2016, a total of 1,593 patients with AMIs who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. The patients were classified into five groups according to the admission glucose level: ≤80, 81 to 140, 141 to 200, 201 to 260, and ≥261 mg/dL. The clinical and echocardiographic parameters and 30-day mortality were analyzed. The peak troponin I and white blood cell levels had a positive linear relationship to the admission glucose level. The left ventricular ejection fraction had an inverted U-shape trend, and the E/E' ratio was U-shaped based on euglycemia. The 30-day mortality also increased as the admission glucose increased, and the cut-off value for predicting the mortality was 202.5 mg/dL. Dysglycemia, especially hyperglycemia, appears to be associated with myocardial injury and could be another adjunctive parameter for predicting mortality in patients with AMIs.

ymptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) caused by loss of dopaminergic neurons are accompanied by movement disorders, including tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and akinesia. Non-human primate (NHP) models with PD play an essential role in the analysis of PD pathophysiology and behavior symptoms. As impairments of hand dexterity function can affect activities of daily living in patients with PD, research on hand dexterity function in NHP models with chronic PD is essential. Traditional rating scales previously used in the evaluation of animal spontaneous behavior were insufficient due to factors related to subjectivity and passivity. Thus, experimentally designed applications for an appropriate apparatus are necessary. In this study, we aimed to longitudinally assess hand dexterity function using hand dexterity task (HDT) in NHP-PD models. To validate this assessment, we analyzed the alteration in Parkinsonian tremor signs and the functionality of presynaptic dopaminergic neuron using positron emission tomography imaging of dopamine transporters in these models. In addition, a significant inverse correlation between HDT and DAT level was identified, but no local bias was found. The correlation with intention tremor signs was lower than the resting tremor. In conclusion, the evaluation of HDT may reflect behavioral symptoms of NHP-PD models. Furthermore, HDT was effectively used to experimentally distinguish intention tremors from other tremors.

BACKGROUND: Enhancement and maintenance of the stemness of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is one of the most important factors contributing to the successful in vivo therapeutic application of these cells. In this regard, three-dimensional (3D) spheroid formation has been developed as reliable method for increasing the pluripotency of MSCs. Moreover, using a new protocol, we have previously shown that dental tissues of extracted wisdom teeth can be effectively cryopreserved for subsequent use as a source of autologous stem cells. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the stemness and in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential of 3D spheroid dental MSCs compared with conventional monolayer cultured MSCs. METHODS: In this study, MSC-characterized stem cells were isolated and cultured from long-term cryopreserved dental follicles (hDFSCs), and then 2D hDFSCs were cultured under 3D spheroid-forming conditions using a newly designed microchip dish. The spheroids (3D hDFSCs) thus produced were investigated and characterized with respect to stemness, MSC marker expression, apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation properties. RESULTS: In terms of MSC and senescence markers, spheroid cells showed no difference when compared with 2D hDFSCs; however, 3D hDFSCs were observed to have a higher proportion of cell cycle arrest and a larger number of apoptotic cells. Moreover, spheroids showed substantially increased levels of pluripotency marker (early transcription factors) and ECM protein expression. Compared with 2D hDFSCs, there was also a notable enhancement in the osteogenic induction potential of spheroids, although no differences were observed with respect to in vitro adipogenesis. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the application of a spheroid culture system for dental follicle-derived stem cells using a microchip dish. Although further studies are needed, including in vivo transplantation, the results obtained in this study indicate that spheroid hDFSCs derived from cryopreserved dental follicle tissues could be used as a valuable source of autologous stem cells for bone tissue regeneration.
Adipogenesis ; Aging ; Apoptosis ; Bone and Bones ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Dental Sac ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Methods ; Molar, Third ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the predictive factors for improvement of atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 778 subjects were prospectively enrolled and followed up for 10 years. Histological analysis of AG and IM was performed by using the updated Sydney system. To find the predictive factors for reversibility of AG and IM, 24 factors including genetic polymorphisms and bacterial and environmental factors were analyzed. RESULTS: In all subjects, the predictive factor by multivariate analysis for improvement of both antral and corpus AG was successful eradication. The predictive factors for improvement of antral IM were age and successful eradication. The predictive factor for improvement of corpus IM was successful eradication. In patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, age and cagA were predictive factors for improvement of AG and IM. In patients with H. pylori eradication, monthly income and cagA were predictive factors for improvement of AG and IM. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication is an important predictive factor of regression of AG and IM and would be beneficial for the prevention of intestinal-type gastric cancer. Young age, high income, and cagA are additional predictive factors for improving AG and IM status. Thus, various factors affect the improvement of AG and IM.
Clinical Study ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Metaplasia ; Multivariate Analysis ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms

Mercury occurs in various chemical forms, and it is different to health effects according to chemical forms. In consideration of the point, the evaluation of the mercury exposure to human distinguished from occupational and environmental exposure. With strict to manage occupational exposure in factory, it is declined mercury intoxication cases by metallic and inorganic mercury inhalation to occupational exposure. It is increasing to importance in environmental exposure and public health. The focus on the health impact of exposure to mercury is more on chronic, low or moderate grade exposure—albeit a topic of great controversy—, not high concentration exposure by methylmercury, which caused Minamata disease. Recently, the issue of mercury toxicity according to the mercury exposure level, health effects as well as the determination of what mercury levels affect health are in the spotlight and under active discussion. Evaluating the health effects and Biomarker of mercury exposure and establishing diagnosis and treatment standards are very difficult. It can implement that evaluating mercury exposure level for diagnosis by a provocation test uses chelating agent and conducting to appropriate therapy according to the result. but, indications for the therapy of chelating agents with mercury exposure have not yet been fully established. The therapy to symptomatic patients with mercury poisoning is chelating agents, combination therapy with chelating agents, plasma exchange, hemodialysis, plasmapheresis. But the further evaluations are necessary for the effects and side effects with each therapy.
Chelating Agents ; Diagnosis* ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Mercury Poisoning ; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System ; Occupational Exposure ; Plasma Exchange ; Plasmapheresis ; Public Health ; Renal Dialysis

BACKGROUND: We report a case of a spray painter who developed malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the maxillary sinus following long-term exposure to chromium, nickel, and formaldehyde, implying that these agents are probable causal agents of MFH. CASE REPORT: The patient developed right-sided prosopalgia that began twenty months ago. The symptom persisted despite medical treatment. After two months, he was diagnosed with MFH through imaging studies, surgery, and pathological microscopic findings at a university hospital in Seoul. His social, medical, and family history was unremarkable. The patient had worked for about 18 years at an automobile repair shop as a spray painter. During this period, he had been exposed to various occupational agents, such as hexavalent chromium, nickel, and formaldehyde, without appropriate personal protective equipment. He painted 6 days a week and worked for about 8 hours a day. Investigation of the patient's work environment detected hexavalent chromium, chromate, nickel, and formaldehyde. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that the patient had been exposed to hexavalent chromium, formaldehyde, and nickel compounds through sanding and spray painting. The association between paranasal cancer and exposure to the aforementioned occupational human carcinogens has been established. We suggest, in this case, the possibility that the paint spraying acted as a causal agent for paranasal cancer.
Automobiles* ; Carcinogens ; Chromium ; Formaldehyde ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus* ; Nickel ; Occupational Exposure ; Paint ; Paintings ; Seoul ; Silicon Dioxide