Background: Lac color, a natural red dye derived from the larvae of laccifer lacca kerr, is one of the most commonly used substances in food. To date, no studies have reported on the antigenicity of lac color and the other biomarkers that can determine anaphylactic reactions. To address this, we evaluated the antigenicity of lac color through active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in addition to identifying potential biomarkers performing exploratory studies. For ASA test, Guinea pigs (n = 5) were sensitized with 0(negative control), 4 mg/kg of lac color, 4 mg/kg of lac color + FCA, and 5 mg/kg of ovalbumin + FCA (positive control) 3 times a week for three weeks. Fourteen days after the last sensi‑ tization, animals were challenged intravenously weekly for two weeks. Hematological and histopathological analyses were performed and compared to control groups. Results: In the ASA test, all lac color groups showed mild symptoms such as nose rubbing, urination, and evacuation, which are insufficient indicators of anaphylaxis. Exploratory studies identified several biomarkers: decreased platelet count, and increased basophil count; distention in the lung, and redness on the inner wall of trachea; mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear, and heart hemorrhage. When these biomarkers were applied to the ASA test of lac color, in comparison to the negative control group, the positive control group (ovalbumin + FCA) showed a significant over 60-fold reduction in platelet count and nearly threefold higher basophil count compared to other groups. Furthermore, only positive control group exhibited full lung distention and severe redness on the inner wall of the trachea. Mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear was about three times higher, and heart hemorrhage was only present in the positive control group compared to others. None of the lac color groups were different from the negative control group (p > 0.05), whereas the positive control group was significantly different (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our study concludes that lac color, at the tested concentrations, does not induce antigenicity in the guinea pig model, providing valuable safety data. Furthermore, the biomarkers identified in this study offer a supportive approach to evaluating the immunogenicity of substances in future research.

Background: Lac color, a natural red dye derived from the larvae of laccifer lacca kerr, is one of the most commonly used substances in food. To date, no studies have reported on the antigenicity of lac color and the other biomarkers that can determine anaphylactic reactions. To address this, we evaluated the antigenicity of lac color through active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in addition to identifying potential biomarkers performing exploratory studies. For ASA test, Guinea pigs (n = 5) were sensitized with 0(negative control), 4 mg/kg of lac color, 4 mg/kg of lac color + FCA, and 5 mg/kg of ovalbumin + FCA (positive control) 3 times a week for three weeks. Fourteen days after the last sensi‑ tization, animals were challenged intravenously weekly for two weeks. Hematological and histopathological analyses were performed and compared to control groups. Results: In the ASA test, all lac color groups showed mild symptoms such as nose rubbing, urination, and evacuation, which are insufficient indicators of anaphylaxis. Exploratory studies identified several biomarkers: decreased platelet count, and increased basophil count; distention in the lung, and redness on the inner wall of trachea; mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear, and heart hemorrhage. When these biomarkers were applied to the ASA test of lac color, in comparison to the negative control group, the positive control group (ovalbumin + FCA) showed a significant over 60-fold reduction in platelet count and nearly threefold higher basophil count compared to other groups. Furthermore, only positive control group exhibited full lung distention and severe redness on the inner wall of the trachea. Mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear was about three times higher, and heart hemorrhage was only present in the positive control group compared to others. None of the lac color groups were different from the negative control group (p > 0.05), whereas the positive control group was significantly different (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our study concludes that lac color, at the tested concentrations, does not induce antigenicity in the guinea pig model, providing valuable safety data. Furthermore, the biomarkers identified in this study offer a supportive approach to evaluating the immunogenicity of substances in future research.

Background: Lac color, a natural red dye derived from the larvae of laccifer lacca kerr, is one of the most commonly used substances in food. To date, no studies have reported on the antigenicity of lac color and the other biomarkers that can determine anaphylactic reactions. To address this, we evaluated the antigenicity of lac color through active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in addition to identifying potential biomarkers performing exploratory studies. For ASA test, Guinea pigs (n = 5) were sensitized with 0(negative control), 4 mg/kg of lac color, 4 mg/kg of lac color + FCA, and 5 mg/kg of ovalbumin + FCA (positive control) 3 times a week for three weeks. Fourteen days after the last sensi‑ tization, animals were challenged intravenously weekly for two weeks. Hematological and histopathological analyses were performed and compared to control groups. Results: In the ASA test, all lac color groups showed mild symptoms such as nose rubbing, urination, and evacuation, which are insufficient indicators of anaphylaxis. Exploratory studies identified several biomarkers: decreased platelet count, and increased basophil count; distention in the lung, and redness on the inner wall of trachea; mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear, and heart hemorrhage. When these biomarkers were applied to the ASA test of lac color, in comparison to the negative control group, the positive control group (ovalbumin + FCA) showed a significant over 60-fold reduction in platelet count and nearly threefold higher basophil count compared to other groups. Furthermore, only positive control group exhibited full lung distention and severe redness on the inner wall of the trachea. Mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear was about three times higher, and heart hemorrhage was only present in the positive control group compared to others. None of the lac color groups were different from the negative control group (p > 0.05), whereas the positive control group was significantly different (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our study concludes that lac color, at the tested concentrations, does not induce antigenicity in the guinea pig model, providing valuable safety data. Furthermore, the biomarkers identified in this study offer a supportive approach to evaluating the immunogenicity of substances in future research.

Background: Lac color, a natural red dye derived from the larvae of laccifer lacca kerr, is one of the most commonly used substances in food. To date, no studies have reported on the antigenicity of lac color and the other biomarkers that can determine anaphylactic reactions. To address this, we evaluated the antigenicity of lac color through active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in addition to identifying potential biomarkers performing exploratory studies. For ASA test, Guinea pigs (n = 5) were sensitized with 0(negative control), 4 mg/kg of lac color, 4 mg/kg of lac color + FCA, and 5 mg/kg of ovalbumin + FCA (positive control) 3 times a week for three weeks. Fourteen days after the last sensi‑ tization, animals were challenged intravenously weekly for two weeks. Hematological and histopathological analyses were performed and compared to control groups. Results: In the ASA test, all lac color groups showed mild symptoms such as nose rubbing, urination, and evacuation, which are insufficient indicators of anaphylaxis. Exploratory studies identified several biomarkers: decreased platelet count, and increased basophil count; distention in the lung, and redness on the inner wall of trachea; mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear, and heart hemorrhage. When these biomarkers were applied to the ASA test of lac color, in comparison to the negative control group, the positive control group (ovalbumin + FCA) showed a significant over 60-fold reduction in platelet count and nearly threefold higher basophil count compared to other groups. Furthermore, only positive control group exhibited full lung distention and severe redness on the inner wall of the trachea. Mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear was about three times higher, and heart hemorrhage was only present in the positive control group compared to others. None of the lac color groups were different from the negative control group (p > 0.05), whereas the positive control group was significantly different (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our study concludes that lac color, at the tested concentrations, does not induce antigenicity in the guinea pig model, providing valuable safety data. Furthermore, the biomarkers identified in this study offer a supportive approach to evaluating the immunogenicity of substances in future research.

Background: Lac color, a natural red dye derived from the larvae of laccifer lacca kerr, is one of the most commonly used substances in food. To date, no studies have reported on the antigenicity of lac color and the other biomarkers that can determine anaphylactic reactions. To address this, we evaluated the antigenicity of lac color through active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in addition to identifying potential biomarkers performing exploratory studies. For ASA test, Guinea pigs (n = 5) were sensitized with 0(negative control), 4 mg/kg of lac color, 4 mg/kg of lac color + FCA, and 5 mg/kg of ovalbumin + FCA (positive control) 3 times a week for three weeks. Fourteen days after the last sensi‑ tization, animals were challenged intravenously weekly for two weeks. Hematological and histopathological analyses were performed and compared to control groups. Results: In the ASA test, all lac color groups showed mild symptoms such as nose rubbing, urination, and evacuation, which are insufficient indicators of anaphylaxis. Exploratory studies identified several biomarkers: decreased platelet count, and increased basophil count; distention in the lung, and redness on the inner wall of trachea; mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear, and heart hemorrhage. When these biomarkers were applied to the ASA test of lac color, in comparison to the negative control group, the positive control group (ovalbumin + FCA) showed a significant over 60-fold reduction in platelet count and nearly threefold higher basophil count compared to other groups. Furthermore, only positive control group exhibited full lung distention and severe redness on the inner wall of the trachea. Mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration (MICI) in the ear was about three times higher, and heart hemorrhage was only present in the positive control group compared to others. None of the lac color groups were different from the negative control group (p > 0.05), whereas the positive control group was significantly different (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our study concludes that lac color, at the tested concentrations, does not induce antigenicity in the guinea pig model, providing valuable safety data. Furthermore, the biomarkers identified in this study offer a supportive approach to evaluating the immunogenicity of substances in future research.

The reliability of presepsin as a biomarker of sepsis may be reduced in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT). This study analyzed the utility of plasma presepsin values in predicting mortality in patients with AKI requiring CKRT, particularly those with sepsis-associated AKI. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 57 patients who underwent CKRT, with plasma presepsin measurements, from April 2022 to March 2023; 35 had sepsis-associated AKI. The predictive values of plasma presepsin, as well as Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, for 28-day mortality were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for 28-day mortality in the sepsis-associated AKI subgroup. Results: Overall, plasma presepsin showed a lower area under the curve value (0.636; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.491–0.781) than the APACHE II (0.663; 95% CI, 0.521–0.804) and SOFA (0.731; 95% CI, 0.599–0.863) scores did. However, in sepsis-associated AKI, the area under the curve increased to 0.799 (95% CI, 0.653–0.946), which was higher than that of the APACHE II (0.638; 95% CI, 0.450–0.826) and SOFA (0.697; 95% CI, 0.519–0.875) scores. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, a high presepsin level was an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality in sepsis-associated AKI (hazard ratio, 3.437; p = 0.03). Conclusion: Presepsin is a potential prognostic marker in patients with sepsis-associated AKI requiring CKRT.

Patellofemoral joint problems refer to a spectrum of conditions affecting the patellofemoral joint, which is the joint between the patella and femur. These conditions can cause pain and instability in the knee and affect an individual’s ability to perform daily activities. Patellofemoral joint problems commonly cause knee pain, particularly among young athletes and physically active individuals. This review article discusses current patellofemoral joint problems, including their epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.Current Concepts: Patellofemoral joint problems are presented as clinical symptoms of pain and instability. Dividing the diagnostic criteria into anterior knee pain, patella instability, and patellofemoral arthritis is useful. Anterior knee pain is diagnosed after excluding possible causes. Patellar instability is classified into recurrent dislocation, habitual dislocation (extension and flexion types), and permanent dislocation. Moreover, patellar instability can progress to the final stage of patellofemoral arthritis. Thus, patellar instability should be treated according to the Dejour criterion, and patellofemoral arthritis treatment requires artificial joint replacement surgery.Discussion and Conclusion: The pathological mechanism of patellofemoral joint problems still needs to be properly established, and multifactorial causes make it difficult to treat patellofemoral joint problems. Accurate diagnosis is considered an essential factor for successful treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Acupotomy is a modern acupuncture method that includes modern surgical methods. Since acupotomy is relatively more invasive than filiform acupuncture treatment, it is important to establish the safety profile of this practice. To justify further large-scale prospective observational studies, this preliminary study was performed to assess the feasibility of the approach and investigate the safety profile and factors potentially associated with adverse events (AEs). METHODS: This was a prospective pilot study that assessed the feasibility of a large-scale forthcoming safety study on acupotomy treatment in a real-world setting. The feasibility (call response rate, drop-out rate, response rate for each variable and recruitment per month) and safety profile (incidence, type, severity and causality of AEs, and factors potentially associated with AEs) were measured. RESULTS: A total of 28 participants joined the study from January to May 2018. A follow-up assessment was achieved in 258 (1185 treatment points) out of 261 sessions (1214 treatment points). The response rate via telephone on the day after treatment was 87.3%. There were 8 systemic AEs in all the sessions (8/258; 3.11%) and 27 local AEs on the total points treated (27/1185; 2.28%). Severe AEs did not occur. Total AE and local AE occurrence were associated with blade width and the number of needle stimulations per treatment point. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that it could be feasible to analyze the safety of acupotomy in a real-world setting. Moreover, the primary data on some relevant AEs could be determined. We are planning large-scale prospective studies based on these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) KCT0002849 (https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/11487).
Humans ; Feasibility Studies ; Prospective Studies ; Pilot Projects ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Research Design ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The repair of large bone defects remains a significant challenge in clinical practice and requires bone grafts or substitute materials. In this study, we developed a unique hybrid bone scaffold comprising a three dimensional (3D)-printed metal plate for weight bearing and a biodegradable polymer tube serving as bone conduit. We assessed the long-term effect of the hybrid bone scaffold in repairing radial bone defects in a beagle model. METHODS: Bone defects were created surgically on the radial bone of three beagle dogs and individually-tailored scaffolds were used for reconstruction with or without injection of autologous bone and decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM). The repaired tissue was evaluated by X-ray, micro-computed tomography, and histological observation 6 months after surgery. The functional integrity of hybrid bone scaffold-mediated reconstructions was assessed by gait analysis. RESULTS: In vivo analysis showed that the hybrid bone scaffolds maintained the physical space and bone conductivity around the defect. New bone was formed adjacent to the scaffolds. Addition of autologous bone and dECM in the polymer tube improved healing by enhancing bone induction and osteoconduction. Furthermore, the beagles’ gait appeared normal by 4 months. CONCLUSION The future of bone healing and regeneration is closely related to advances in tissue engineering. Bone production using autologous bone and dECM loaded on 3D-printed hybrid bone scaffolds can successfully induce osteogenesis and provide mechanical force for functional bone regeneration, even in large bone defects.

Objective: The rapid identification and treatment of an acute kidney injury (AKI) can help to restore the kidney function. To differentiate between pre-renal AKI and intrinsic AKI, a urine chemistry test was performed to determine the function of the renal tubules. On the other hand, there is no report showing that it is helpful to arrive at the hospital as early as possible and to perform these urine chemistry tests as soon as possible. Methods: This study analyzed the timing of urinary chemistry tests in AKI patients who were admitted to the author’s hospital through the emergency departments (ED) in the last three years and divided into two groups. The early group was defined as patients who performed the test within three hours of arrival in the ED. The late group was defined as patients who were late or not. The prognostic factors were the change in 30-day estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and duration of hospital stay. Results: The changes of eGFR after 30 days in each group were 41.6±27.57 mL/min/1.73 m2 (early group, n=92) vs. 30.39±26.37 mL/min/1.73 m2 (late group, n=180) (P=0.001). Early group patients were discharged more quickly than patients in the late group (hospital day, 11.49±10.14 vs. 13.84±10.53; P=0.041). Conclusion A urine chemistry test is a test to help determine the cause of AKI. Based on the results of urine chemistry performed within three hours after arrival at the hospital, patients with AKI who visited the emergency room had betterimproved kidney function and less hospitalization time than the patients who were late or untested at the time of treatment.