Probiotics exert various effects on the body and provide different health benefits. Previous reports have demonstrated that the P8 protein (P8), isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus, has anticancer properties. However, its efficacy in stem cells and normal cells has not been reported. In this study, the effect of P8 on cell proliferation and wound healing was evaluated, investigating its underlying mechanism. Based on scratch assay results, we demonstrated that P8 treatment significantly increases wound healing by activating the cell cycle and promoting stem cell stemness.Cellular mechanisms were further investigated by culturing stem cells in a medium containing Lactobacillus-derived P8 protein, revealing its promotion of cell proliferation and migration. Also, it is found that P8 enhances the expression of stemness markers, such as OCT4 and SOX2, along with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and Hippo pathways. These results indicate that P8 can promote cell growth by increasing stem cell proliferation, migration, and stemness in a manner associated with MAPK and Hippo signaling, which could contribute to the increased wound healing after P8 treatment. Furthermore, P8 could promote wound healing in keratinocytes by activating the MAPK signaling pathways. These results suggest that P8 might be a promising candidate to enhance stem cell culture efficiency by activating cell proliferation, and enhance therapeutic effects in skin diseases.

Probiotics exert various effects on the body and provide different health benefits. Previous reports have demonstrated that the P8 protein (P8), isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus, has anticancer properties. However, its efficacy in stem cells and normal cells has not been reported. In this study, the effect of P8 on cell proliferation and wound healing was evaluated, investigating its underlying mechanism. Based on scratch assay results, we demonstrated that P8 treatment significantly increases wound healing by activating the cell cycle and promoting stem cell stemness.Cellular mechanisms were further investigated by culturing stem cells in a medium containing Lactobacillus-derived P8 protein, revealing its promotion of cell proliferation and migration. Also, it is found that P8 enhances the expression of stemness markers, such as OCT4 and SOX2, along with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and Hippo pathways. These results indicate that P8 can promote cell growth by increasing stem cell proliferation, migration, and stemness in a manner associated with MAPK and Hippo signaling, which could contribute to the increased wound healing after P8 treatment. Furthermore, P8 could promote wound healing in keratinocytes by activating the MAPK signaling pathways. These results suggest that P8 might be a promising candidate to enhance stem cell culture efficiency by activating cell proliferation, and enhance therapeutic effects in skin diseases.

Probiotics exert various effects on the body and provide different health benefits. Previous reports have demonstrated that the P8 protein (P8), isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus, has anticancer properties. However, its efficacy in stem cells and normal cells has not been reported. In this study, the effect of P8 on cell proliferation and wound healing was evaluated, investigating its underlying mechanism. Based on scratch assay results, we demonstrated that P8 treatment significantly increases wound healing by activating the cell cycle and promoting stem cell stemness.Cellular mechanisms were further investigated by culturing stem cells in a medium containing Lactobacillus-derived P8 protein, revealing its promotion of cell proliferation and migration. Also, it is found that P8 enhances the expression of stemness markers, such as OCT4 and SOX2, along with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and Hippo pathways. These results indicate that P8 can promote cell growth by increasing stem cell proliferation, migration, and stemness in a manner associated with MAPK and Hippo signaling, which could contribute to the increased wound healing after P8 treatment. Furthermore, P8 could promote wound healing in keratinocytes by activating the MAPK signaling pathways. These results suggest that P8 might be a promising candidate to enhance stem cell culture efficiency by activating cell proliferation, and enhance therapeutic effects in skin diseases.

Objectives: Gastric dysplasia is primarily treated using endoscopic resection. Although argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternative treatment for older patients or those with bleeding tendencies, studies have reported a higher rate of local recurrence after APC than after endoscopic resection. Using pathological examinations, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and associated causative factors of residual dysplasia following APC. Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with low-grade gastric dysplasia from March 2020 to February 2021 and conducted follow-up examinations for 15 months after enrollment of the last patient. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo APC at an output power setting of 45, 60, or 80 W. Results: Residual lesions were found in 13 of 68 patients (19.1%) during the 24-h follow-up endoscopy and biopsy. The Ki-67 index, a marker of cellular proliferation, was significantly associated with the presence of residual lesions. The presence of residual dysplasia at the three-month follow-up was associated with the presence of residual lesions at the 24-h follow-up and a positive Ki-67 index. Only three of the 13 patients with residual lesions 24 h after APC demonstrated residual lesions at the three-month follow up. No post-procedural complications were observed. Conclusions Residual dysplasia may persist even after APC and cause local recurrence. If Ki-67-positive cells are detected in the remnant tissue following APC, additional interventions should be considered.

Objectives: Gastric dysplasia is primarily treated using endoscopic resection. Although argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternative treatment for older patients or those with bleeding tendencies, studies have reported a higher rate of local recurrence after APC than after endoscopic resection. Using pathological examinations, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and associated causative factors of residual dysplasia following APC. Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with low-grade gastric dysplasia from March 2020 to February 2021 and conducted follow-up examinations for 15 months after enrollment of the last patient. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo APC at an output power setting of 45, 60, or 80 W. Results: Residual lesions were found in 13 of 68 patients (19.1%) during the 24-h follow-up endoscopy and biopsy. The Ki-67 index, a marker of cellular proliferation, was significantly associated with the presence of residual lesions. The presence of residual dysplasia at the three-month follow-up was associated with the presence of residual lesions at the 24-h follow-up and a positive Ki-67 index. Only three of the 13 patients with residual lesions 24 h after APC demonstrated residual lesions at the three-month follow up. No post-procedural complications were observed. Conclusions Residual dysplasia may persist even after APC and cause local recurrence. If Ki-67-positive cells are detected in the remnant tissue following APC, additional interventions should be considered.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of Fontan surgery in the Republic of Korea, as there were only a few studies from Asian countries. Methods: The medical records of 1,732 patients who underwent Fontan surgery in 10 cardiac centers were reviewed. Results: Among them, 1,040 (58.8%) were men. The mean age at Fontan surgery was 4.3±4.2 years, and 395 (22.8%) patients presented with heterotaxy syndrome. According to the types of Fontan surgery, 157 patients underwent atriopulmonary (AP) type; 303, lateral tunnel (LT) type; and 1,266, extracardiac conduit (ECC) type. The overall survival rates were 91.7%, 87.1%, and 74.4% at 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. The risk factors of early mortality were male, heterotaxy syndrome, AP-type Fontan surgery, high mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) in pre-Fontan cardiac catheterization, and early Fontan surgery year. The risk factors of late mortality were heterotaxy syndrome, genetic disorder, significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) before Fontan surgery, high mPAP in pre-Fontan cardiac catheterization, and no fenestration. Conclusions In Asian population with a high incidence of heterotaxy syndrome, the heterotaxy syndrome was identified as the poor prognostic factors for Fontan surgery. The preoperative low mPAP and less AVVR are associated with better early and long-term outcomes of Fontan surgery.