Impact of pericardial calcification on early postoperative outcomes after pericardiectomy: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the lack of understanding of the clinical significance of pericardial calcification during pericardiectomy, whether pericardial calcification should be considered when determining the optimal timing for pericardiectomy is debatable. We aimed to investigate the effect of pericardial calcification on early postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. METHODS: Altogether, 44 patients who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis were enrolled. After excluding three patients who underwent concurrent surgeries, a total of 41 patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence of pericardial calcification as determined by preoperative computed tomography and pathological examination. Preoperative clinical and imaging characteristics, intraoperative data, and early postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. A multivariable analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with postoperative complications. RESULTS: The group with and without PC comprised 21 and 20 patients, respectively. No significant differences were observed in 30-day mortality (n = 1 [5%]) in the group with pericardial calcification and no mortality in the group without pericardial calcification (p > 0.999). Other early postoperative outcome variables did not demonstrate any significant differences between the two groups. However, the use of cardiopulmonary bypass was associated with postoperative complications (p < 0.009, odds ratio: 63.5, 95% confidence interval: 5.13-3400). CONCLUSIONS: Pericardial calcification did not significantly affect the postoperative outcomes after pericardiectomy. Further comprehensive studies, including those with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs, are necessary to determine whether pericardial calcification can significantly influence the timing of surgical intervention.

Skeletal-Related Events in Patients With Multiple Myeloma: A Comprehensive Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) patients are at risk of skeletal-related events (SREs) like spinal cord compression, pathologic fractures, bone surgery, and radiation to bone. Real-world data regarding SREs in MM are limited. METHODS: We conducted a large, retrospective, nationwide cohort study using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database from 2007 to 2018. RESULTS: Over a 12-year study period, we identified 6,717 patients who developed symptomatic MM. After a median follow-up of 35.1 months (interquartile range [IQR], 20.8-58.2 months), 43.6% of these patients experienced SREs, and 39.6% had four or more SREs. One in five patients (20.0%) experienced pathologic fractures within the first year of follow-up. The median time to first SRE was 9.6 months (IQR, 1.2-25.8 months), with 3.0 months in the group with prior SREs and 19.8 months in the group without prior SREs. During follow-up, 78.5% of patients received bisphosphonates. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed several factors associated with an increased risk of SREs, including being female (odds ratio [OR], 1.44), aged 50 or older (OR, 1.87), having cerebrovascular disease (OR, 1.34), undergoing first-line chemotherapy regimens not containing bortezomib or lenalidomide (OR, 1.49), and being in the group with prior SREs and bisphosphonate use (OR, 5.63), compared to the group without prior SREs and without bisphosphonate use. CONCLUSION: This population-based study is the first to report the incidence and risk factors of SREs in Korean MM patients, which can be used to assess their bone health.

Free Fatty Acid 4 Receptor Activation Attenuates Collagen-Induced Arthritis by Rebalancing Th1/Th17 and Treg Cells.

Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been found to be beneficial in rodent rheumatoid arthritis models and human trials. However, the molecular targets of n-3 PUFAs and their beneficial effects on rheumatoid arthritis are under-researched. Free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFA4, also known as GPR120) is a receptor for n-3 PUFA. We aim to investigate whether FFA4 activation reduces collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) by using an FFA4 agonist, compound A (CpdA), in combination with DBA-1J Ffa4 gene wild-type (WT) and Ffa4 gene knock-out (KO) mice. CIA induced an increase in the arthritis score, foot edema, synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation, proteoglycan loss, cartilage damage, and bone erosion, whereas the administration of CpdA significantly suppressed those increases in Ffa4 WT mice but not Ffa4 gene KO mice. CIA increased mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17 cytokines, whereas CpdA significantly suppressed those increases in Ffa4 WT mice but not Ffa4 gene KO mice. CIA induced an imbalance between Th1/Th17 and Treg cells, whereas CpdA rebalanced them in spleens from Ffa4 WT mice but not Ffa4 gene KO mice. In SW982 synovial cells, CpdA reduced the LPS-induced increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. In summary, the present results suggest that the activation of FFA4 in immune and synovial cells could suppress the characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis and be an adjuvant therapy.

Analysis of current technology status for the industrialization of cultured meat.

Cultured meat is expected to become an important material for future food production; however, contrary to initial expectations, the full-scale industrialization of cultured meat is slow and the actual level and opened technology amount is very limited. This study reviews the publicly available technologies of cultured meat and suggests future developmental directions and research agenda. As a result of analyzing papers, patents, and press releases published over the past 10 years, it was found that cultured meat production technology is still at the prototype production level. This is because most papers published are about culture medium and scaffold development, culture conditions, and there is almost no research on finished cultured meat products. Worldwide, most of the filed patents are for producing cultured meat principles; most of them do not use food-grade materials and are not economically feasible for industrialization. Therefore, future research on the industrialization of cultured meat should focus on effective acquisition technologies for satellite cells; cell lineage and undifferentiated state maintenance technologies; the development of serum-free media and culture devices; the prevention of genetic modification, safety verification, and mass production. Furthermore, basic research on mechanisms and influencing factors related to cultured meat production is warranted.

Study on the Digestion-Induced Changes in the Characteristics and Bioactivity of Korean Native and Overseas Cattle-Derived Peptides.

This study was conducted to compare and analyze the changes in the biochemical characteristics and biological activity of peptide extracts derived from Chickso, Hanwoo, and Wagyu beef during digestion. The results of the in vitro digestion analysis revealed that the digestion rate, total free amino acid content, and antioxidant and antihypertensive activities of Chickso loin and shank myofibrillar proteins were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of Hanwoo and Wagyu loin and shank myofibrillar proteins. Particularly, the peptide extracts of Chickso loin and shank had a high angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity. In mice in vivo digestion experiment, the blood serum of mice fed with Chickso loin peptide extract (<10 kDa) showed the highest antioxidant enzyme activity. Thus, Chickso peptide extracts were deemed to be similar or more bioactive than Hanwoo and Wagyu peptide extracts, and can be used as bioactive materials.

Analytical Methods and Effects of Bioactive Peptides Derived from Animal Products: A Mini-Review.

Peptides with bioactive effects are being researched for various purposes. However, there is a lack of overall research on pork-derived peptides. In this study, we reviewed the process of obtaining bioactive peptides, available analytical methods, and the study of bioactive peptides derived from pork. Pepsin and trypsin, two representative protein digestive enzymes in the body, are hydrolyzed by other cofactors to produce peptides. Bicinchoninic acid assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, chromatography, and in vitro digestion simulation systems are utilized to analyze bioactive peptides for protein digestibility and molecular weight distribution. Pork-derived peptides mainly exhibit antioxidant and antihypertensive activities. The antioxidant activity of bioactive peptides increases the accessibility of amino acid residues by disrupting the three-dimensional structure of proteins, affecting free radical scavenging, reactive oxygen species inactivation, and metal ion chelating. In addition, the antihypertensive activity decreases angiotensin II production by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme and suppresses blood pressure by blocking the AT1 receptor. Pork-derived bioactive peptides, primarily obtained using papain and pepsin, exhibit significant antioxidant and antihypertensive activities, with most having low molecular weights below 1 kDa. This study may aid in the future development of bioactive peptides and serve as a valuable reference for pork-derived peptides.

Softening implantable bioelectronics: Material designs, applications, and future directions.

Implantable bioelectronics, integrated directly within the body, represent a potent biomedical solution for monitoring and treating a range of medical conditions, including chronic diseases, neural disorders, and cardiac conditions, through personalized medical interventions. Nevertheless, contemporary implantable bioelectronics rely heavily on rigid materials (e.g., inorganic materials and metals), leading to inflammatory responses and tissue damage due to a mechanical mismatch with biological tissues. Recently, soft electronics with mechanical properties comparable to those of biological tissues have been introduced to alleviate fatal immune responses and improve tissue conformity. Despite their myriad advantages, substantial challenges persist in surgical handling and precise positioning due to their high compliance. To surmount these obstacles, softening implantable bioelectronics has garnered significant attention as it embraces the benefits of both rigid and soft bioelectronics. These devices are rigid for easy standalone implantation, transitioning to a soft state in vivo in response to environmental stimuli, which effectively overcomes functional/biological problems inherent in the static mechanical properties of conventional implants. This article reviews recent research and development in softening materials and designs for implantable bioelectronics. Examples featuring tissue-penetrating and conformal softening devices highlight the promising potential of these approaches in biomedical applications. A concluding section delves into current challenges and outlines future directions for softening implantable device technologies, underscoring their pivotal role in propelling the evolution of next-generation bioelectronics.

Subcutaneous Infliximab (CT-P13) as Maintenance Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: 2 Randomized Phase 3 Trials.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: CT-P13 subcutaneous (SC), an SC formulation of the intravenous (IV) infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 IV, creates a unique exposure profile. We aimed to demonstrate superiority of CT-P13 SC vs placebo as maintenance therapy in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies were conducted in patients with moderately to severely active CD or UC and inadequate response or intolerance to corticosteroids and immunomodulators. All patients received open-label CT-P13 IV 5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, and 6. At week 10, clinical responders were randomized (2:1) to CT-P13 SC 120 mg or placebo every 2 weeks until week 54 (maintenance phase) using prefilled syringes. Co-primary end points were clinical remission and endoscopic response (CD) and clinical remission (UC) at week 54 (all-randomized population). RESULTS: Overall, 396 patients with CD and 548 patients with UC received induction treatment. At week 54 in the CD study, statistically significant higher proportions of CT-P13 SC-treated patients vs placebo-treated patients achieved clinical remission (62.3% vs 32.1%; P < .0001) and endoscopic response (51.1% vs 17.9%; P < .0001). In the UC study, clinical remission rates at week 54 were statistically significantly higher with CT-P13 SC vs placebo (43.2% vs 20.8%; P < .0001). Achievement of key secondary end points was significantly higher with CT-P13 SC vs placebo across both studies. CT-P13 SC was well tolerated, with no new safety signals identified. CONCLUSIONS: CT-P13 SC was more effective than placebo as maintenance therapy and was well tolerated in patients with moderately to severely active CD or UC who responded to CT-P13 IV induction. CLINICALTRIALS: gov, Numbers: NCT03945019 (CD) and NCT04205643 (UC).

The Color-Developing Methods for Cultivated Meat and Meat Analogues: A Mini-Review.

Novel meat-inspired products, such as cell-cultivated meat and meat analogues, embrace environmental sustainability, food safety and security, animal welfare, and human health, but consumers are still hesitant to accept these products. The appearance of food is often the most persuasive determinant of purchasing decisions for food. Producing cultivated meat and meat analogues with similar characteristics to conventional meat could lead to increased acceptability, marketability, and profitability. Color is one of the sensorial characteristics that can be improved using color-inducing methods and colorants. Synthetic colorants are cheap and stable, but natural pigments are regarded as safer components for novel food production. The complexity of identifying specific colorants to imitate both raw and cooked meat color lies in the differences in ingredients and methods used to produce meat alternatives. Research devoted to improving the sensorial characteristics of meat analogues has noted various color-inducing methods (e.g., ohmic cooking and pasteurization) and additives (e.g., lactoferrin, laccase, xylose, and pectin). Additionally, considerations toward other meat components, such as fat, can aid in mimicking conventional meat appearance. For instance, the use of plant-based fat replacers and scaffolds can produce a marked sensory enhancement without compromising the sustainability of alternative meats. Moving forward, consumer-relevant sensorial characteristics, such as taste and texture, should be prioritized alongside improving the coloration of meat alternatives.

Current Research, Industrialization Status, and Future Perspective of Cultured Meat.

Expectations for the industrialization of cultured meat are growing due to the increasing support from various sectors, such as the food industry, animal welfare organizations, and consumers, particularly vegetarians, but the progress of industrialization is slower than initially reported. This review analyzes the main issues concerning the industrialization of cultured meat, examines research and media reports on the development of cultured meat to date, and presents the current technology, industrialization level, and prospects for cultured meat. Currently, over 30 countries have companies industrializing cultured meat, and around 200 companies that are developing or industrializing cultured meat have been surveyed globally. By country, the United States has over 50 companies, accounting for more than 20% of the total. Acquiring animal cells, developing cell lines, improving cell proliferation, improving the efficiency of cell differentiation and muscle production, or developing cell culture media, including serum-free media, are the major research themes related to the development of cultured meat. In contrast, the development of devices, such as bioreactors, which are crucial in enabling large-scale production, is relatively understudied, and few of the many companies invested in the development of cultured meat have presented products for sale other than prototypes. In addition, because most information on key technologies is not publicly available, it is not possible to determine the level of technology in the companies, and it is surmised that the technology of cultured meat-related startups is not high. Therefore, further research and development are needed to promote the full-scale industrialization of cultured meat.

Enhancing tropical cyclone intensity forecasting with explainable deep learning integrating satellite observations and numerical model outputs.

Tropical cyclone (TC) intensity change forecasting remains challenging due to the lack of understanding of the interactions between TC changes and environmental parameters, and the high uncertainties resulting from climate change. This study proposed hybrid convolutional neural networks (hybrid-CNN), which effectively combined satellite-based spatial characteristics and numerical prediction model outputs, to forecast TC intensity with lead times of 24, 48, and 72 h. The models were validated against best track data by TC category and phase and compared with the Korea Meteorological Administrator (KMA)-based TC forecasts. The hybrid-CNN-based forecasts outperformed KMA-based forecasts, exhibiting up to 22%, 110%, and 7% improvement in skill scores for the 24-, 48-, and 72-h forecasts, respectively. For rapid intensification cases, the models exhibited improvements of 62%, 87%, and 50% over KMA-based forecasts for the three lead times. Moreover, explainable deep learning demonstrated hybrid-CNN's potential in predicting TC intensity and contributing to the TC forecasting field.

Crusting-fabricated three-dimensional soy-based scaffolds for cultured meat production: A preliminary study.

Crusting has been developed as a non-chemical and non-machine intensive scaffold fabrication method. This method is based on the self-assembling ability of soy biomolecules, allowing the fabrication of a three-dimensional network for cell growth. Preliminary characterization revealed differences in pore size, water absorption, and degradation between pure soy-based scaffold (Y2R) and with added glycerol (Y2G). The Fourier-transform infrared spectrum absorbance peaks of functional groups related to proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids hinted the integration of soy biomolecules potentially via the Maillard reaction, as supported by the visible browning of the scaffold surface. Microscopic images revealed aligned myotubes in both scaffolds, with Y2G myotubes having greater proximity after 72 h of proliferation. Both spontaneous and electro-stimulated contractions were recorded as early as 72 h in proliferation medium. Crusting-fabricated soy-based scaffolds can further be explored for its application in cultured meat production.

Spatiotemporal variations in migratory bird diversity and abundance along the coast of Gochang getbol.

Tidal flats provide critical habitat for migratory waterbird species; however, populations of migratory waterbirds have significantly declined due to tidal flat loss and degradation caused by human activities, particularly in Asia. Gochang getbol is one of tidal flats located on the southwest coast of South Korea and a center of clam production. Using bird monitoring data collected at five zones (zone1 to zone5) established across Gochang getbol and near coastal area, we examined distribution patterns of migratory bird diversity and conservation-related species along the coast of Gochang getbol. The intensity of human activity ‒ mudflat culture (mostly bivalve) and aquaculture was relatively high at zone2 and zone3, occupying > 30% of 2km circular area surrounding most sample points of these zones. Zone1 and particularly zone4 contained more natural/semi-natural habitats (less disturbed mudflats and wetlands) and zone5 had smallest mudflat than others. Shannon diversity, species richness, and abundance of migratory birds differed between zones (Anova test, P ≤ 0.02) except Shannon diversity in winter. In fall, all values were higher at zone4 than zone3 and zone5. In winter, zone1 showed greatest species richness and higher abundance than zone2, zone3, and zone5. In spring, while most differences were found between zone4 and zone5, abundance at zone4 was somewhat higher than zone2. The results from the fourth corner analysis indicated that abundance of species foraging at mudflat level was positively associated with zone1 (winter) but negatively with zone3 (fall). Sandpipers were positively associated with zone4. Abundance distribution maps of conservation-related species, created by inverse distance-weighted interpolation modeling, also showed high abundance of most conservation-related species at zone4 and 1. The findings of our study suggest the importance of natural/semi-natural habitat, and the possible link between human activity and distribution patterns of migratory birds in Gochang getbol. While we need further investigation on direct response of migratory birds to human activity, areas with low human activity with more natural/semi-natural habitat, e.g., zone4 and zone1 may be crucial for the conservation of migratory birds.

Current technology and industrialization status of cell-cultivated meat.

Interest and investment in cultivated meat are increasing because of the realization that it can effectively supply sufficient food resources and reduce the use of livestock. Nevertheless, accurate information on the specific technologies used for cultivated meat production and the characteristics of cultivated meat is lacking. Authorization for the use of cultivated meat is already underway in the United States, Singapore, and Israel, and other major countries are also expected to approve cultivated meat as food once the details of the intricate process of producing cultivated meat, which encompasses stages such as cell proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and assembly, is thoroughly established. The development and standardization of mass production processes and safety evaluations must precede the industrialization and use of cultivated meat as food. However, the technology for the industrialization of cultivated meat is still in its nascent stage, and the mass production process has not yet been established. The mass production process of cultivated meat may not be easy to disclose because it is related to the interests of several companies or research teams. However, the overall research flow shows that equipment development for mass production and cell acquisition, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as for three-dimensional production supports and bioreactors have not yet been completed. Therefore, additional research on the mass production process and safety of cultivated meat is essential. The consumer's trust in the cultivated meat products and production technologies recently disclosed by some companies should also be analyzed and considered for guiding future developments in this industry. Furthermore, close monitoring by academia and the government will be necessary to identify fraud in the cultivated meat industry.

HoloSR: deep learning-based super-resolution for real-time high-resolution computer-generated holograms.

This study presents HoloSR, a novel deep learning-based super-resolution approach designed to produce high-resolution computer-generated holograms from low-resolution RGBD images, enabling the real-time production of realistic three-dimensional images. The HoloSR combines the enhanced deep super-resolution network with resize and convolution layers, facilitating the direct generation of high-resolution computer-generated holograms without requiring additional interpolation. Various upscaling scales, extending up to ×4, are evaluated to assess the performance of our method. Quantitative metrics such as structural similarity and peak signal-to-noise ratio are employed to measure the quality of the reconstructed images. Our simulation and experimental results demonstrate that HoloSR successfully achieves super-resolution by generating high-resolution holograms from low-resolution RGBD inputs with supervised and unsupervised learning.

Magnolol Reduces Atopic Dermatitis-like Symptoms in BALB/c Mice.

In traditional Korean medicines, Magnolia officinalis is commonly included for the remedy of atopic dermatitis, and magnolol is a major constituent of Magnolia officinalis. Its pharmacological effects include anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects. Using BALB/c mice repeatedly exposed to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB), magnolol was evaluated in atopic dermatitis-like lesions. Administration of magnolol (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) markedly relieved the skin lesion severity including cracking, edema, erythema, and excoriation, and significantly inhibited the increase in IgE levels in the peripheral blood. A DNCB-induced increase in mast cell accumulation in atopic dermatitis skin lesions was reversed by magnolol administration, as well as a rise in expression levels of pro-inflammatory Th2/Th17/Th1 cytokines' (IL-4, IL-13, IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-12A, TARC, IL-8, and IL-6) mRNAs in the lymph nodes and skin (n = 5 per group). In lymph nodes, magnolol reversed DNCB's increase in CD4+RORγt+ Th17 cell fraction and decrease in CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cell fraction. The results also showed that magnolol suppressed T cell differentiation into Th17 and Th2 cells, but not Th1 cells. Magnolol suppresses atopic dermatitis-like responses in the lymph nodes and skin, suggesting that it may be feasible to use it as a treatment for atopic dermatitis through its suppression of Th2/Th17 differentiation.

Thrombocytopenia after Aortic Valve Replacement Using Sutureless Valves.

Background: Sutureless valves are widely used in aortic valve replacement surgery, with Perceval valves and Intuity valves being particularly prominent. However, concerns have been raised about postoperative thrombocytopenia with Perceval valves (Corcym, UK). We conducted a comparative analysis with the Intuity valve (Edwards Lifesciences, USA), and assessed how thrombocytopenia affected patient and transfusion outcomes. Methods: Among 595 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement from June 2016 to March 2023, sutureless valves were used in 53 (Perceval: n=23; Intuity: n=30). Platelet counts were monitored during hospitalization and outpatient visits. Daily platelet count changes were compared between groups, and the results from patients who underwent procedures using Carpentier Edwards Perimount Magna valves were used as a reference group. Results: Compared to the Intuity group, the Perceval group showed a significantly higher amount of platelet transfusion (5.48±1.64 packs vs. 0.60±0.44 packs, p=0.008). During the postoperative period, severe thrombocytopenia (<50,000/µL) was significantly more prevalent in the Perceval group (56.5%, n=13) than in the Intuity group (6.7%, n=2). After initial postoperative depletion, daily platelet counts increased, with significant differences observed in the extent of improvement between the Perceval and Intuity groups (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in early mortality or the incidence of neurological complications between the 2 groups. Conclusion: The severity of postoperative thrombocytopenia differed significantly between the Perceval and Intuity valves. The Perceval group showed a significantly higher prevalence of severe thrombocytopenia and higher platelet transfusion volumes. However, thrombocytopenia gradually recovered during the postoperative period in both groups, and the early outcomes were similar in both groups.

Preliminary study on comparison of egg extraction methods for development of fetal bovine serum substitutes in cultured meat.

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) substitution remains one of the challenges to the realization of cultured meat production in the marketplace. In this study, three methods were developed to extract a substitute for FBS using egg white extract (EWE): using 25 mM CaCl2/2.5 % ammonium sulfate/citric acid (A); ethyl alcohol (B); and 5 % ammonium sulfate/citric acid (C). B EWE can effectively replace up to 50 % of FBS in growth media (10 % of the total). Ovalbumin in the extracts can promote cell proliferation, and components along the 12 kDa protein band have the potential to inhibit cell proliferation. Chick primary muscle cells applied with B EWE, an edible material that improved the cost and time efficiency of cultured meat production, effectively proliferated/differentiated. Therefore, EWE extracted using ethyl alcohol may be used as an FBS substitute to reduce animal sacrifices and should be considered a viable alternative to FBS for cultured meat.

NJK14047 inhibition of p38 MAPK ameliorates inflammatory immune diseases by suppressing T cell differentiation.

p38 MAPK has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. To assess the therapeutic efficacy of the p38 MAPK inhibitor NJK14047 in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, we developed mouse models of collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) and imiquimod-induced psoriasis (IIP). NJK14047 was found to suppress arthritis development and psoriasis symptoms and also suppressed histopathological changes induced by CIA and IIP. Furthermore, we established that CIA and IIP evoked increases in the mRNA expression levels of Th1/Th17 inflammatory cytokines in the joints and skin, which was again suppressed by NJK14047. NJK14047 reversed the enlargement of spleens induced by CIA and IIP as well as increases in the levels of inflammatory cytokine in spleens following induction by CIA and IIP. In human SW982 synovial cells, NJK14047 was found to suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced increases in the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines. NJK14047 inhibition of p38 MAPK suppressed the differentiation of naïve T cells to Th17 and Th1 cells. Our findings in this study provide convincing evidence indicating the therapeutic efficacy of the p38 MAPK inhibitor NJK14047 against CIA and IIP, which we speculate could be associated with the suppression on T-cell differentiation.