The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical component of the central nervous system that protects neurons and other cells of the brain parenchyma from potentially harmful substances found in peripheral circulation. Gaining a thorough understanding of the development and function of the human BBB has been hindered by a lack of relevant models given significant species differences and limited access to in vivo tissue. However, advances in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and organ-chip technologies now allow us to improve our knowledge of the human BBB in both health and disease. This review focuses on the recent progress in modeling the BBB in vitro using human iPSCs.BACKGROUND Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common form of well-differentiated endocrine malignancy. Distant metastases of PTC are rare and usually occur in the bones, lungs, and thoracic lymph nodes despite the common locoregional metastases to the lymph nodes of the neck. The metastasis of PTC to the pancreas is extremely rare. Here, we present a patient with PTC that had simultaneously metastasized to the pancreas, liver, and diaphragm. CASE PRESENTATION A 47-year-old male patient suffering from mild abdominal pain for 2 months was admitted to our hospital. The ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed a pancreatic space-occupying lesion and pancreatic duct dilatation, and the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperative examination identified a hard mass (approximately 4.0 cm × 3.0 cm) in the body and tail of the pancreas and a mass (1.5 cm in diameter) in the diaphragm. Three light masses were also noted on the surface of his liver. The patient underwent radical distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, diaphragm, and liver mass resection. After surgery, the pathological report revealed that the masses resected from the pancreas, liver, and diaphragm were PTC metastases. Then, the patient had a thyroid US and an endoscopic US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid mass. Pathology showed papillary cancer. Subsequently, the patient received a complete thyroidectomy, a cervical lymphadenectomy, bilateral parotidectomy, and bilateral submandibular gland resection. CONCLUSIONS Aggressive surgeries, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), should be considered for selected patients with metastatic diseases from PTC to alleviate the symptoms and prolong their survival.BACKGROUND Increasing evidence has revealed a close correlation between cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) and cancer progression. CIP2A has been shown to participate in diverse biological processes, such as development, tumorigenic transformation and chemoresistance. However, the functions of CIP2A in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its underlying mechanisms of action are not yet completely understood. The purpose of this study was to explore its clinical significance, function and relevant pathways in CRC. METHODS Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to identify the expression of CIP2A in CRC tissues, sera and CRC cell lines. The association between the expressions of CIP2A and patient survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier curves. Additionally, the functional role of CIP2A in the cell lines was identified through small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of the protein followed by anal with CRC. Moreover, 10,058-F4 could effectively inhibit the growth of CRC cells in vitro, which could be correlated with an inhibition in the expressions of C-myc, CIP2A and its downstream regulatory anti-apoptotic proteins. Furthermore, the Human Phosphokinase Antibody Array was used to gain insights into the CIP2A-dependent intermediary signaling pathways. The results revealed that several signaling pathways were affected and the protein levels of p-p53 (S392), p-STAT5a (Y694), Cyclin D1, p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT (T308) had decreased in CIP2A-shRNA group based on the results of the western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS CIP2A could promote the development of CRC cells and predict poor prognosis in patients with CRC, suggesting that it may serve as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target against CRC. Video Abstract.BACKGROUND This study evaluated the effects of partial substitution of dietary fishmeal (FM) with either fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) or autolysed dried yeast (HiCell®, Biorigin, Brazil) on intestinal microbiota of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). A total number of 720 fish of 122.18 ± 6.22 g were fed for 92 days with three different diets in triplicate (3 tanks/diet). A diet based on FM/vegetable meal was used as control. The other two diets were formulated by replacing FM with 5% of either FPH or HiCell®. To analyze the gut microbiota associated to autochthonous and allochthonous microbial communities, the Illumina MiSeq platform for sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and QIIME pipeline were used. RESULTS A total number of 102 OTUs (operational taxonomic units) at 97% identity were identified in fish gut samples collected at the end of feeding trial. Fourteen OTUs constituted the core gut microbiota, i.e. those OTUs found in at least nine out of fifteen samples per group and shared regardless of the diet. Eig and SCFA producing bacteria, was positively affected. Brewer’s yeast autolysate could be a valid alternative protein source to FM as well as a valid functional ingredient for aquafeed production.BACKGROUND Due to the civil war in Syria, many Syrian citizens have had to flee their country during recent years, among them many physicians. Germany is among the preferred immigration countries. Immigrant Syrian physicians could help overcome the prevailing shortage of medical specialists in Germany. This study explores the experiences and perceptions of Syrian physicians of the licensure process and job application. The study aims at understanding barriers in integrating Syrian doctors into the German health care system. METHODS We conducted 20 semi standardized interviews with Syrian doctors (n = 17 m; n = 3 f) living in different federal states in Germany. The interviews dealt with the procedure of the accreditation process, its speed and challenges, the interactions with authorities, and the job application process; they were transcribed verbatim. A detailed content analysis was performed. RESULTS All interviewees described the licensure process as a complex, lengthy, ever-changing and non-transparent pwith accurate and detailed information about the licensure process, e.g. required documents, estimated waiting times, regulation for courses and exams, criteria regarding credentials, sources of help, etc. Additionally, it seems advisable to consider providing help with regard to the job search and sensitize hospital management for cultural and religious diversity to avoid discrimination.BACKGROUND Circaea mollis Sieb. & Zucc. has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in Hani Ethnopharmacy and possesses anti-arthritic activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Circaea mollis Siebold & Zucc on postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS For in vitro study, MCF7 breast cancer cells and MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells were utilized to estimate estrogenic and osteogenic activity. Osteoblastic markers were measured by western blot and real-time PCR. For in vivo study, female mature C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized and oral administrated with 10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg of EECM respectively. RESULTS EtOH extract of Circaea mollis Siebold & Zucc. (EECM) increased alkaline phosphatase activity and osteoblast marker levels at day 7 during differentiation of mouse preosteoblasts. EECM reduced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in an osteoblast-osteoclast primary co-culture system. In ovariectomized mice, EECM prevented the decrease in bone mineral density and recovered OSX and Runx2 via BMP2/4, Smad1/5/9 and p38. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that EECM may be effective in preventing bone loss, offering a promising alternative for the nutritional management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.BACKGROUND Lower levels of tryptophan (TRP) have been identified in people with inflammatory bowel disease and in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). No data on serum amino acids (AAs) but some on plasma in canine immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy (IRE) are available. The aim of this study is to compare serum AAs between healthy and IRE dogs, considering clinicopathological variables and follow-up. RESULTS Twenty-six healthy control dogs (CD) and 51 IRE dogs were included. IRE was diagnosed after the exclusion of extra-intestinal diseases and food and antibiotic responsive enteropathies. The canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) was assessed at presentation and during the clinical follow-up. In CD and IRE dogs, 19 different serum AAs were measured. IRE dogs were classified into responders, partial responders and non-responders, based on CCECAI after 1 month, and divided into PLE and non-PLE, based on albumin level. IRE dogs showed lower L-Tyrosine (TYR), L-Phenylalanine (Py.Following publication of the original article [1], we have been notified that the publication is missing a link to the data repository.BACKGROUND Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a common practice in developing countries, including the UAE, and presents a major health problem. METHODS A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1035 participants 831 (80.3%) females and 204 (19.7%) males. RESULTS The number of women with FGM/C was 344; hence the prevalence of FGM/C in our study was 41.4%. Type I was the most prevalent (62.8%), followed by Type II (16.6%) and Type III (5%). FGM/C was less prevalent among educated and employed women (p-value less then  0.001) and was mostly performed during infancy and childhood. Among the participants, 13.7% reported that their daughters had undergone FGM/C, with Type I being the most common, and 25% of them planned to have their future daughters undergo Type I FGM/C. While FGM/C was mostly performed by ritual circumcisers (74.4%), in 25 and 36.7% of the cases, it was performed by health professionals and in the clinic setting, respectively. About 69% of the participants considered FGM/C a custom, 72.8% were against the practice, and only 17.4% believed in its legality. Complications occurred in 30% of cases. The type of FGM/C was associated with the occurrence of complications bleeding, difficulties in sexual life, and delivery-related problems (p-value less then  0.05). One-fifth of the male participants expressed plans to circumcise future daughters (p-value less then  0.001). CONCLUSION FGM/C remains a prevalent practice in the UAE and has a negative association with the general health of Emirati women. The lack of clear legislation to criminalize this practice is a problem to be addressed. In this context, national-level educational and legal strategies should be a priority.BACKGROUND Kaempferia parviflora (KP) has been used in traditional Thai medicine to cure gastrointestinal disorders since ancient times. Helicobacter pylori is an initiating factor in gastric pathogenesis via activation of massive inflammation, the cumulative effect of which leads to gastric disease progression, including gastric carcinogenesis. Accordingly, the effect of a crude ethyl acetate extract of KP (CEAE-KP) on proinflammatory cytokine production and cell chemotaxis was the focus of this study. METHODS The cytotoxicity of CEAE-KP (8-128 μg/ml) on AGS (gastric adenocarcinoma) cells was determined at 6, 12 and 24 h using an MTT assay. The effect of CEAE-KP on H. pylori-induced interleukin (IL)-8 production by AGS cells was evaluated by ELISA and RT-PCR. The effect of CEAE-KP on monocyte and neutrophil chemotaxis to H. pylori soluble protein (sHP) and IL-8, respectively, was determined using a Boyden chamber assay with THP-1 or HL-60 cells. RESULTS CEAE-KP reduced AGS cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, but at 8-16 μg/ml, it was not cytotoxic after 6-24 h of exposure.