Search

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mitochondrial dysfunction disrupts the synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes in pancreatic acinar cells and plays a primary role in the etiology of exocrine pancreas disorders. However, the transcriptional mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial function to support acinar cell physiology are poorly understood. Here, we aim to elucidate the function of estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) in pancreatic acinar cell mitochondrial homeostasis and energy production. METHODS: Two models of ERRγ inhibition, GSK5182-treated wild-type mice and ERRγ conditional knock-out (cKO) mice, were established to investigate ERRγ function in the exocrine pancreas. To identify the functional role of ERRγ in pancreatic acinar cells, we performed histological and transcriptome analysis with the pancreas isolated from ERRγ cKO mice. To determine the relevance of these findings for human disease, we analyzed transcriptome data from multiple independent human cohorts and conducted genetic association studies for ESRRG variants in two distinct human pancreatitis cohorts. RESULTS: Blocking ERRγ function in mice by genetic deletion or inverse agonist treatment results in striking pancreatitis-like phenotypes accompanied by inflammation, fibrosis, and cell death. Mechanistically, loss-of-ERRγ in primary acini abrogates mRNA expression and protein levels of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex genes, resulting in defective acinar cell energetics. Mitochondrial dysfunction due to ERRγ deletion further triggers autophagy dysfunction, ER stress, and production of reactive oxygen species, ultimately leading to cell death. Interestingly, ERRγ-deficient acinar cells that escape cell death acquire ductal cell characteristics indicating a role for ERRγ in acinar-to-ductal metaplasia. Consistent with our findings in ERRγ cKO mice, ERRγ expression was significantly reduced in patients with chronic pancreatitis compared to normal subjects. Furthermore, candidate locus region genetic association studies revealed multiple single nucleotide variants (SNVs) for ERRγ that associated with chronic pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our findings highlight an essential role for ERRγ in maintaining the transcriptional program that supports acinar cell mitochondrial function and organellar homeostasis and provide a novel molecular link between ERRγ and exocrine pancreas disorders.

The quality and health functional effects of ganjang fermented in onggi and other ordinary containers were studied. The containers employed for ganjang fermentation included non-glazed onggi (onggi without glaze, OWOG), glazed onggi (onggi with glaze, OWG), ceramics (CRM), stainless steel containers (STL), and glass bottles (GLA). Grain-type meju with salt and water was fermented in each container at 37°C for 40 days. The pH decreased slowly and the acidity gradually increased, whereas the amino-type nitrogen content increased, although the ammonia-type nitrogen content was significantly decreased (p

The two-layered ceiling culture chip allows buoyant adipocytes to be maintained and observed, revealing mechanisms involved in adipocyte dedifferentiation.

As our society grows, the potential of certain people affecting the masses has increased dramatically with the presence of media, virality, and celebrities. Therefore, it is essential to know which persons might be influencing, swaying, or manipulating the public the most in a social network. Similarly, finding the most important webpage can impact advertisement spending for corporations. I propose and determine a better method to find the most significant "influencer" and other real-world applications using graph theory in discrete mathematics. There are many methods of node centrality, and some have more advantages than others. As measuring this score becomes more complex, accuracy is guaranteed, but time complexity increases simultaneously. In particular, when the score is a case where the relationship between nodes is important, the time complexity shows an extreme increase. Graphs representing the real world have a lot of nodes and edges in many cases, and experiments have found that if applied as they are, the time efficiency will be extremely low. To compensate for this point, bridge detection and community detection, a method of dividing a large graph into several subgraphs at a low level, were applied to change the nested loop operation to a simple sum of operations in series. Furthermore, a model, which is the most appropriate combination, was proposed and experimentally proved in consideration of trade-offs. The reason for selecting the ratio of node and edge numbers to increase the experiment's credibility was also described.

The anticancer effects of Shinan (Shinan-South Korea) sea salts on azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) with high fat diet (HFD)-induced colon cancer and obesity in C57BL/6N mice were studied. We prepared three types of sea salt: generally manufactured sea salt (GS), generally manufactured after filtering seawater (FS), and manufactured with only new seawater (NS). Sea salt intake increased colon length and reduced colon length/weight ratio, tumor number, and progression of colon cancer in colon tissue. The differently prepared sea salts also ameliorated liver injury. In addition, the mineral composition of each salt was different. Moreover, the sea salts enhanced activation of natural killer cell (CD56) expression in colon and spleen tissues. However, the mineral compositions of sea salts were not simply associated with anticancer effects in AOM/DSS+HFD induced mice. Thus, the anticolorectal cancer effects of sea salts may be mediated by different factors, which remain to be identified.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be caused by abnormal bowel movements, altered brain-gut axis, gut microbiota change, and low levels of inflammation or immune activation. The intake of food containing much fiber and lactic acid bacteria (LABs) can alleviate IBS.This study was undertaken to confirm the alleviative effect of kimchi on symptoms of IBS.Three types of kimchi (standard kimchi, SK; dead nano-sizedAfter intervention, dietary fiber intake was increased in all groups. Typical IBS symptoms (abdominal pain or inconvenience, desperation, incomplete evacuation, and bloating), defecation time, and stool type were also improved. In serum, all groups showed reductions in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (Kimchi intake helps alleviate IBS by increasing dietary fiber intake and reducing serum inflammatory cytokine levels and harmful fecal enzyme activities. Notably, nLp improved the immune system, and several functional ingredients in FK promoted the growth of

With the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes, it is imperative to identify how to effectively prevent or treat this disease. Studies have shown that some lactic acid bacteria can improve type 2 diabetes with almost no side effects. Therefore, in this experimental study, we explored the preventive and therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus fermentum TKSN041 (L. fermentum TKSN041) on streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes in rats. The results showed that L. fermentum TKSN041 could reduce the amount of water intake, reduce weight loss, and control the increase in the fasting blood glucose level of diabetic rats. The organ index and tissue section results showed that L. fermentum TKSN041 could reduce the damage caused by diabetes to the liver, kidney, spleen, pancreatic, and brain tissue. Furthermore, L. fermentum TKSN041 decreased the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glycated serum proteins (GSP), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and endothelin 1 (ET-1) in serum and increased the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and interleukin 10 (IL-10). Finally, L. fermentum TKSN041 up-regulated the mRNA and protein expressions of NF-kappa-B inhibitor-α (IκB-α), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), liver kinase B1 (LKB1), and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and down-regulated those of nuclear factor-κBp65 (NFκB-p65) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Furthermore, LF-TKSN041 up-regulated the mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) and down-regulated neuropeptide Y (NPY), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBF-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These results suggest that L. fermentum TKSN041 may be a useful intervention factor for the prevention or treatment of type 2 diabetes induced by STZ. Clinical trials are needed to further demonstrate its effectiveness.

Chong Li,1– 3,* Jun Si,4,* Fang Tan,5 Kun-Young Park,1– 3 Xin Zhao1– 3 1Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, People’s Republic of China; 2Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, People’s Republic of China; 3Chongqing Engineering Laboratory for Research and Development of Functional Food, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing 400067, People’s Republic of China; 4Pre-Hospital Emergency Department, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing 400014, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Public Health, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela 838, Philippines*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xin Zhao; Kun-Young Park Tel +86-23-6265-3650Email zhaoxin@cque.edu; kunypark@foods.ac.cnAim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the preventive effect of Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 (LP-KSFY06) on D-galactose/lipopolysaccharide (D-Gal/LPS)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice.Methods: We evaluated the antioxidant capacity of LP-KSFY06 in vitro, detailed the effects of LP-KSFY06 on the organ index, liver function index, biochemical index, cytokines, and related genes, and noted the accompanying pathological changes.Results: The results clearly showed that LP-KSFY06 can remove 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline − 6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) free radicals in vitro. The analysis of the organ index and pathology demonstrated that LP-KSFY06 significantly prevented ALI. Biochemical and molecular biological analysis showed that LP-KSFY06 prevented a decrease in the antioxidant-related levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and also prevented an increase in aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) levels. LP-KSFY06 upregulated the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin (IL)-10 and downregulated the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). These oxidative and inflammatory indicators were consistent with the results of gene detections. Furthermore, we determined that LP-KSFY06 downregulated Keap1, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), IL-18, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14 or p38), upregulated Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), B-cell inhibitor-α (IκB-α), and thioredoxin (Trx) mRNA expression. These may be related to the regulation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) and NLRP3/NF-κB pathways.Conclusion: LP-KSFY06 is an effective multifunctional Lactobacillus with strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory ability that can prevent D-gal/LPS-induced ALI in mice and assist in maintaining health.Keywords: Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06, D-galactose, lipopolysaccharide, acute liver injury, mice

Study Design: Case-control study.Purpose: To investigate the independent associations of back pain with sarcopenia and with back muscle degeneration, and to introduce a new risk index for back muscle degeneration.Overview of Literature: The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia recommends diagnosis using handgrip strength, gait speed, and skeletal muscle mass. However, these criteria do not strongly reflect back muscle degeneration.Methods: Patients who completed a questionnaire on back-pain between October 2016 and October 2017 were enrolled in this study. Appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI), cross-sectional area (CSA) index, fatty infiltration (FI) rate of the paraspinal muscles, and lumbar extensor strength index (LESI) were measured and compared between no back-pain and back-pain group. Correlations between LESI and ASMI, CSA index, and FI rate were analyzed. The back-pain group was further divided according to ASMI into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia subgroups and by our newly developed back muscle degeneration risk index based on correlation coefficients between LESI and CSA index, FI rate. Differences in ASMI, CSA index, FI rate, LESI, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score between subgroups were analyzed.Results: The ASMI, CSA index, FI rate, and LESI differed significantly between back-pain and pain-free groups. The LESI demonstrated the strongest correlation with FI rate. There were no significant differences in VAS score and back muscle degeneration index in the back-pain group when divided according to the presence of sarcopenia. However, there was a significant difference in VAS score between back-pain patients when classified according to high and low back muscle degeneration risk index.Conclusions: We suggest that the degree of back pain is more strongly associated with back muscle degeneration than with sarcopenia. This back muscle degeneration risk index, reflecting both back muscle morphology and function, could be a useful parameter for evaluation of back pain and muscle degeneration.

The quality and in vitro anticancer effects of ‘Doenjang’ that was fermented in ‘Onggi’ and other ordinary containers were studied. The containers employed herein for the fermentation were non-glazed ‘Onggi’ (OWOG), glazed ‘Onggi’, ceramic and stainless steel containers, in addition to glass bottles. Grain-type was fermented in each container with salt and water in a ratio of 33:12:45 at 37°C for 40 day. During the fermentation of ‘Doenjang’ in ‘Onggi’, the pH decreased and the acidity increased. In addition, the amino-type nitrogen content increased, although the ammonium nitrogen content decreased. The levels of yeast, mold, and lactic acid bacteria increased, while the total bacteria content decreased for the doenjang fermented in ‘Onggi’ compared to the values obtained when other types of container were employed. Overall, the obtained results indicated that ‘Onggi’, and especially OWOG, was the optimal container for the fermentation of ‘Doenjang’ to ensure a high quality and in vitro anticancer effect.

This study was to compare the anticolitis activity of fresh Saengshik (FSS) with heated Saengshik (HSS) with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis mouse model. Both FSS- and HSS...

The chemopreventive effects of various mixed cereal grain (MCG) samples on azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS, 2% w/v)-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) in C57BL/6J mice were studied. The main MCG preparation consisted of fermented brown rice (FBR), glutinous brown rice, glutinous Sorghum bicolor, glutinous Panicum miliaceum, Coix lacryma-jobi and black soybean at an appropriate mixing ratio. Other MCG preparations contained rice coated with 5% Phellinus linteus and 5% Curcuma longa (MGR-PC), or 10% Phellinus linteus (MCG-P), or 10% Curcuma longa (MCG-C). Consumption of dietary MCG-PC by CRC mice significantly increased colon length, decreased the ratio of colon weight to length, and reduced the number of colon tumors. Similar effects, although to a lower extent, were observed in CRC mice fed with MCG-P, followed by those fed with MCG-C, MCG, FBR or white rice (WR). MCG-PC significantly suppressed colonic neoplasia, and decreased the levels of various cytokines (tumor necrosis factor: Tnf, interleukin 1 beta: Il1b, interleukin 6: Il6, and interferon gamma: Ifng) in serum and colon tissue of the CRC mice. In addition, MCG-PC increased the mRNA expressions of tumor protein p53(Tp53) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A(Cdkn1a), activated pro-apoptotic caspase 3(Casp3), and reduced expression of both mRNA and protein of inducible inducible nitric oxide synthase 2 (Nos2), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2), and cyclin D1(Ccnd1) in colon tissue. These findings suggest that than compared with other cereal grain preparations, MCG-PC had a greater activity against AOM/DSS-induced CRC by reducing intestinal inflammation, and modulating the expression of certain carcinogenesis related factors (Nos2, Ptgs2, Tp53, Cdkn1a, Ccnd1 and Casp3) in colon tissue of CRC mice.

Inflammation is a characteristic of obesity. The rich compounds in lemon peel have anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined whether fermented lemon peel can have an anti-obesity effect on obese mice induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) by regulating inflammation. The lemon peel fermentation supernatant (LPFS) could inhibit the weight gain of mice and improve the lesions of the liver and epididymal adipose tissue. In addition, LPFS regulates blood lipids, liver function, and inflammation-related indicators in the serum of obese mice. LPFS plays a positive role in regulating the inflammation and obesity-related genes in liver tissue and adipose tissue of obese mice. High-performance liquid chromatography showed an increase in the contents of compounds with antioxidant or/and anti-inflammatory effects and compounds with anti-obesity effects. These results suggest that the LPFS could help reduce obesity in obese mice induced by an HFD by adjusting the balance of the inflammatory response. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Obesity often increases the risk of chronic diseases, and mild inflammation is a feature of obesity. Therefore, timely suppression of inflammation in the body can help control the occurrence of obesity. This study clarified the anti-obesity effect of fermented lemon peel on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice by regulating the body's inflammatory response and confirmed that fermentation improves the anti-inflammatory activity of lemon peel. This study provides important references for future investigation, prophylaxis, and treatment of inflammation and obesity-related diseases, as well as the advances in functional foods and fermented foods with anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a hormone that regulates emotions in the central nervous system. However, serotonin in the peripheral system is associated with obesity and fatty liver disease. Because serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), we focused on identifying new tryptophan hydroxylase type I (TPH1) inhibitors that act only in peripheral tissues for treating obesity and fatty liver disease without affecting the central nervous system. Structural optimization inspired by para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) resulted in the identification of a series of oxyphenylalanine and heterocyclic phenylalanine derivatives as TPH1 inhibitors. Among these compounds, compound 18i with an IC50 value of 37 nM was the most active in vitro. Additionally, compound 18i showed good liver microsomal stability and did not significantly inhibit CYP and Herg. Furthermore, this TPH1 inhibitor was able to actively interact with the peripheral system without penetrating the BBB. Compound 18i and its prodrug reduced body weight gain in mammals and decreased in vivo fat accumulation.

Jangkanghwan (JKH) is a Korean traditional food that is a mixture of food ingredients and traditional Korean medicine ingredients, and it has been observed to produce satisfactory anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. In the current study, JKH was administered by gavage to BALB/C mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced colonic epithelial dysfunction, and mouse body weight and food intake were recorded. Indexes such as colonic paracellular permeability, serum inflammatory cytokines, and bacterial translocation were used to comprehensively evaluate the regulatory effect of JKH on mouse colonic epithelial function, and qPCR and Western blot were also used to analyze the expression of tight junction (TJ)-related genes, such as occludin, claudin, zonula occludens (ZOs) proteins, and junction adhesion molecules (JAM) in the colonic epithelial tissue. The experimental results indicated that JKH relieved the edema of the liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node tissues, and reduced the loss of appetite and diarrhea caused by LPS injection in mice. It increased the amount of mice food intake from 3.7 g/day in the LPS group to 4.7 g per day; the water content in the feces of mice in the JKH group was 13.86% less than that in the LPS group. JKH reduced the inflammatory response in mice caused by LPS, protected the integrity of the colon, the permeability of fluorescent macromolecules was one-fourth of the LPS group, and enhanced the mRNA and protein expression of TJ-related proteins in colon tissue. Our findings highlight that JKH has benefits in intestinal health and relieving systemic inflammation, relevant aspects of its use as a functional food.

The anticancer effects of kimchi prepared with different kinds of solar salts were evaluated in an in vitro cellular system using HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. Four kinds of kimchi samples were prepared, using different solar salts: conventionally manufactured solar salt (CS), filtered sea water solar salt (FS), dehydrated solar salt by centrifuging (DS), and washed-dehydrated solar salt (WDS). Prepared kimchi samples were presented as CSK, FSK, DSK, and WDSK, respectively. The pH values, acidity, and sensory evaluation were determined after 3 week fermentation at 5 °C (pH 4.3), and WDSK exhibited the best fermented characteristics and taste among the 4 samples examined. In the HT-29 cell growth inhibitory activity assay, all 4 kimchi samples exert dose-dependent cell growth inhibition, with WDSK showing significant growth inhibition of HT-29 cells. mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest related factors reveals that WDSK significantly increases the mRNA expression levels of Bax, Bim, caspases-3, caspases-9, and p21 as compared to other kimchi samples, at a concentration of 4.0 mg mL−1. In addition, WDSK treatment strongly decreases the Bcl-2 protein expression (on western blot) in HT-29 cells, as compared to the control group (no kimchi treatment) and significantly increases the protein expression levels of Bax, caspases-3, caspases-9, and p53. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) reveals that WDS possesses a different mineral composition when compared to the other three solar salts; notably, the lower Mg (9.3 g kg−1) and S (4.7 g kg−1) content of WDS may cause better taste, fermented characteristcs, and functionality of WDSK. These results indicate WDS to be the ideal solar salt for kimchi preparation, which enhances the taste due to its lower Mg and S contents, and increases the anticancer effects by exerting better pro-apoptosis and cell cycle arrest abilities in HT-29 cells.

Study Design Retrospective, single-center study. Purpose We aimed to determine the perioperative complications of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) as a first-stage procedure in combined anterior and posterior operation for adult spinal deformity (ASD) along with sagittal imbalance. Specifically, we aimed to identify the radiological and clinical types of perioperative surgical complications and the factors affecting these complications. Overview of Literature OLIF has recently gained popularity, and there are several reports of good outcomes and only a few of complications with OLIF; however, a few studies have focused on the perioperative surgical complications of ASD along with sagittal imbalance. Methods The perioperative period was a 1-week interval between the anterior and posterior procedures. All patients underwent simple radiography and magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively and postoperatively. Cage placement was evaluated for displacement (i.e., subsidence and migration) and vertebral body fracture. Clinical patient complaints were evaluated perioperatively. Student t-test was used for data analysis. Results A total of 46 patients were included, totaling 138 fusion segments. A week after OLIF, 14 patients/33 segments (30.4%/23.9%) demonstrated endplate injury-associated cage placement change. Subsidence was the most common cage placement-related complication. As compared with patients without endplate injury, those with endplate injuries showed significantly larger correction angles and a higher proportion of them had larger height cages than the disk height in the full-extension lateral view. Although 32.6% of the patients experienced perioperative clinical complications, they were relatively minor and transient. The most common complication was severe postoperative pain (Visual Analog Scale score of >7), and hip flexor weakness spontaneously resolved within 1 week. Conclusions OLIF yielded more than expected endplate injuries from treatment modalities for ASD along with sagittal imbalance. Therefore, surgeons should be cautious about endplate injury during OLIF procedures. It is difficult to accomplish lordosis correction via OLIF alone; therefore, surgeons should not attempt this impractical correction goal and insert an immoderate cage.

Study Design Retrospective study. Purpose Associations among risk factors related to adjacent segmental disease (ASD) remain unclear. We evaluated the risk factors and segmental lordosis ratio to prevent ASD developing after lumbar spinal fusion. Overview of Literature Risk factors related to ASD development are age, sex, obesity, pre-existing degeneration, number of fusion segments, and decreased postoperative lumbar lordosis (LL). However, the associations among these factors are still unclear and should be clearly identified. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data on 274 patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion of three segments or below for lumbar degenerative disease from January 2010 to December 2012, with over 5 years of follow-up. Patients with preoperative sagittal vertical axis (SVA) >5 cm were excluded due to sagittal imbalance. A total of 37 patients with ASD and 40 control patients (CTRL) were randomly selected in a similar distribution of matching variables: age, sex, and preoperative degenerative changes. Sex, age, number of fusion segments, radiologic measurements, L4–5–S1/L1–S1 LL ratio, and spinopelvic parameters (pelvic incidence [PI], pelvic tilt [PT], sacral slope [SS], and SVA) were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between PI–LL mismatch and L4–5–S1 segmental lordosis rate. Results No significant difference was found between ASDs and CTRL groups regarding age, sex, number of fusion segments, fusion method, and preoperative and postoperative spinopelvic parameters (PI, SS, PT, and LL). However, regarding the L4–5–S1/L1–S1 lordosis ratio, 50% (p=0.045), 60% (p=0.031), 70% (p=0.042), 80% (p=0.023), and 90% (p=0.023) were statistically significant; 10 group, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.048). Conclusions Patients with a postoperative L4–5–S1/L1–S1 lordosis ratio >50% had less occurrence of ASD. Correcting LL according to PI and physiologic segmental lordosis ratio is important in preventing ASD.

Study design Prospective, single-center study. Purpose The current trend of operative treatment for adult spinal deformity (ASD) is combined anterior-posterior staged surgery. When anterior surgery was first performed, oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) was employed; this method became increasing popular. This study aimed to determine the lordosis correction that can be achieved using OLIF and assess whether we can preoperatively predict the lordosis correction angle achieved using OLIF. Overview of literature Many previous studies on OLIF have shown improved clinical and radiologic outcomes. With the increase in the popularity of OLIF, several surgeons have started using larger cages to attain greater lordosis correction. Moreover, some studies have reported complications of OLIF because of immoderate cage insertion. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study that attempted to determine whether it is possible to predict the lordosis correction angle achieved with OLIF preoperatively, using fullextension lateral view (FELV). Methods Forty-six patients with ASD were enrolled. All the operations were performed by a single surgeon in two stages (first, anterior and second, posterior) with a 1-week interval. Radiological evaluation was performed by comparing the Cobb's angle of the segmental and regional lordosis obtained using preoperative and postoperative simple radiography (including the FELV) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results Regional lordosis (L1-S1) in the whole-spine standing lateral radiograph was -3.03°; however, in the supine lateral MRI, it was 20.92°. The regional lordosis of whole-spine standing lateral and supine lateral (MRI) was significantly different. In the FELV, regional lordosis was 25.72° and that in the postoperative supine lateral (MRI) was 25.02°; these values were not significantly different. Conclusions Although OLIF offers many advantages, it alone plays a limited role in ASD treatment. Lordosis correction using OLIF as well as lordosis determined in the FELV was possible. Hence, our results suggest that FELV can help predict the lordosis correction angle preoperatively and thus aid the selection of the appropriate technique in the second staged operation.

Chinese Sichuan pickle is a fermented food rich in microorganisms. Microorganisms have the potential to become an important new form of potent future therapeutic capable of treating human disease. Selecting vitamin C as a positive control, a lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC02, LP-CQPC02) isolated from Sichuan pickle was given to mice over 4 weeks to investigate the effect of CQPC02 on fatigue levels and biochemical oxidation phenomena in exercise-exhausted Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. The fatigue model was established by forced swimming of mice, the levels of hepatic glycogen, skeletal muscle glycogen, lactic acid, blood urea nitrogen and free fatty acid were measured by physicochemical methods, serum serum creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by kits, the histopathological changes in the livers of mice were observed by H&E slicing, and the mRNA changes in the livers and skeletal muscles were observed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Both vitamin C and LP-CQPC02 increased swimming exhaustion time. The concentration of LP-CQPC02 and exhaustion time were positively correlated. LP-CQPC02 also increased liver glycogen, skeletal muscle glycogen and free fatty acid content in mice and reduced lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen content in a dose-dependent manner. As walnut albumin antioxidant peptide concentration increased, levels of mouse CK, AST, and AST gradually decreased. LP-CQPC02 increased SOD and CAT levels and decreased MDA levels in a dose-dependent fashion. LP-CQPC02 up-regulated expression of mRNA encoding copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), and CAT in swimming exhaustion mouse liver tissue. LP-CQPC02 also up-regulated alanine/serine/cysteine/threonine transporter 1 (ASCT1) expression while down-regulating syncytin-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression in swimming exhaustion mouse skeletal muscle. Overall, LP-CQPC02 had a clear anti-fatigue and anti-oxidation effect. This suggests that LP-CQPC02 can be developed as a microbiological therapeutic agent.

The antioxidant effect of soymilk fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum HFY01 (screened from yak yogurt) was investigated on mice with premature aging induced by D-galactose. In vitro antioxidant results showed that L. plantarum HFY01-fermented soymilk (LP-HFY01-DR) had better ability to scavenge the free radicals 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) than unfermented soymilk and Lactobacillus bulgaricus-fermented soymilk. Histopathological observation showed that LP-HFY01-DR could protect the skin, spleen and liver, reduce oxidative damage and inflammation. Biochemical results showed that LP-HFY01-DR could effectively upregulate glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels and decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver, brain, and serum. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction further showed that LP-HFY01-DR could promote the relative expression levels of the genes encoding for cuprozinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD, SOD1), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD, SOD2), CAT, GSH, and GSH-Px in the liver, spleen, and skin. High-performance liquid chromatography results revealed daidzin, glycitin, genistin, daidzein, glycitein, and genistein in LP-HFY01-DR. In conclusion, LP-HFY01-DR could improve the antioxidant capacity in mice with premature aging induced by D-galactose.

Study Design: A retrospective case control study.Purpose: This study aimed to assess the clinical significance of sagittal balance for predicting and managing the recollapse of cemented vertebra following percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in patients with thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF).Overview of Literature: Recently, the recollapse of cemented vertebra following PVP for OVF has been reported. Although the risk factors for recollapse have been determined, the association between sagittal spinopelvic parameters and sagittal imbalance with recollapse has not been established.Methods: Ambulatory patients who underwent single-level PVP for thoracolumbar OVF with a follow-up of at least 24 months were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence of symptomatic recollapse at the cemented vertebra: (1) recollapsed (RC) group and (2) noncollapsed (NC) group. The patient characteristics and radiographic measurements associated with sagittal imbalance were analyzed at each follow-up visit.Results: Overall, 134 patients (RC group, n=28; NC group, n=106) were enrolled. The mean fracture-free interval was 3.2 months (range, 1.2–25.1 months). The multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified low bone mineral density (p =0.047), degree of dynamic mobility within the vertebra (p =0.025), and sagittal imbalance as significant risk factors for recollapse (p =0.013; odds ratio, 5.405). The progression of sagittal imbalance and thoracolumbar kyphosis (T10–L2) was more significant in the RC and sagittal imbalance groups than in the NC group (both p =0.000).Conclusions: Sagittal imbalance, lower bone mineral density, and dynamic mobility within the vertebra are associated with the recollapse of cemented vertebrae following PVP. Sagittal imbalance, rather than local kyphosis or thoracolumbar kyphosis, is particularly significant in that it results in more progressive collapse and sagittal deformity and is accompanied by substantial back pain and neurological deficits. Therefore, a stricter and more active management, including anti-osteoporosis medication, is required for the treatment of OVF with sagittal imbalance of the spine.

Chinese Sichuan pickle is a fermented food rich in microorganisms. Microorganisms have the potential to become an important new form of potent future therapeutic capable of treating human disease. Selecting vitamin C as a positive control, a lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC02, LP-CQPC02) isolated from Sichuan pickle was given to mice over 4 weeks to investigate the effect of CQPC02 on fatigue levels and biochemical oxidation phenomena in exercise-exhausted Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. The fatigue model was established by forced swimming of mice, the levels of hepatic glycogen, skeletal muscle glycogen, lactic acid, blood urea nitrogen and free fatty acid were measured by physicochemical methods, serum serum creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by kits, the histopathological changes in the livers of mice were observed by H&E slicing, and the mRNA changes in the livers and skeletal muscles were observed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Both vitamin C and LP-CQPC02 increased swimming exhaustion time. The concentration of LP-CQPC02 and exhaustion time were positively correlated. LP-CQPC02 also increased liver glycogen, skeletal muscle glycogen and free fatty acid content in mice and reduced lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen content in a dose-dependent manner. As walnut albumin antioxidant peptide concentration increased, levels of mouse CK, AST, and AST gradually decreased. LP-CQPC02 increased SOD and CAT levels and decreased MDA levels in a dose-dependent fashion. LP-CQPC02 up-regulated expression of mRNA encoding copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), and CAT in swimming exhaustion mouse liver tissue. LP-CQPC02 also up-regulated alanine/serine/cysteine/threonine transporter 1 (ASCT1) expression while down-regulating syncytin-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression in swimming exhaustion mouse skeletal muscle. Overall, LP-CQPC02 had a clear anti-fatigue and anti-oxidation effect. This suggests that LP-CQPC02 can be developed as a microbiological therapeutic agent.

Jangkanghwan (JKH) can delay weight loss in mice, promote weight gain during recovery, and reduce colonic shortening and colon weight. In addition, the murine disease activity index was controlled after treatment using JKH. It can reduce the content of pro-inflammatory factors in serum and expression in tissues, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor kappa-B; in contrast, the content and expression of IL-10 and the inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase-α in the serum and tissues were increased. The mRNA expression of the colitis characteristic biomarker monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-3α were reduced in colon tissues. Using next-generation sequencing technology, the Bacteroidetes phylum in the JKH group decreased, while the Firmicutes phylum increased, and the number of beneficial bacteria-Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Akkermansiaceae-increased. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: JKH is a mixture of colonic healthy foods composed of Atractylodes macrocephala koidzumi, radish leaves, Viscum album var. coloratum, dried Zingiber officinale Roscoe, etc. According to UPLC-Q-TOF MS analysis, JKH consists mainly of 17 active substances, such as pheophorbide A, nabumetone alcohol, dehydrocostus lactone, plantamajoside, kaempferol 3, 7-dirhamnoside, quercetin 3-D-glucuronide, and viscumneoside III. We investigated the preventive effects of JKH on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in a murine model and found that JKH can reduce the damage in mice caused by DSS treatment.

Background Many factors affect spinal alignment in adult spinal deformity with sagittal imbalance. However, although the importance of the paravertebral muscle and ligamentum complex in proper spinal alignment is well recognized, little information is available regarding the role of the paravertebral muscles in maintaining sagittal spinal alignment. Methods A total of 108 patients who had visited our institution from January 2016 to June 2018 were included in the present study. The patients were categorized as follows: degenerative adult spinal deformity with sagittal imbalance group and degenerative spinal disease group. The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and handgrip strength of each patient were measured to evaluate for sarcopenia. Computed tomography was used to measure the cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration rate to evaluate paravertebral muscle morphology. The paravertebral muscle function was assessed by measuring the lumbar flexor strength and lumbar extensor strength using a lumbar isokinetic dynamometer. Results The degenerative adult spinal deformity with sagittal imbalance group had a lower CSA index and lumbar extensor strength index and higher fat infiltration rate than the degenerative spinal disease group. No statistically significant differences in the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and handgrip strength were found between the 2 groups. Only the CSA showed a correlation with the radiological parameters, such as pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis. Conclusions Degeneration of the paravertebral muscle is a risk factor for degenerative adult spinal deformity with sagittal imbalance but not for sarcopenia. Thus, spinal sagittal imbalance is affected by isolated paravertebral muscle degeneration rather than by systemic muscle degeneration.