Attenuation of Rheumatoid Inflammation by Sodium Butyrate Through Reciprocal Targeting of HDAC2 in Osteoclasts and HDAC8 in T Cells

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Recently, investigators have focused on the gut microbiota, which is thought to be an environmental factor that affects the development of RA. Metabolites secreted by the gut microbiota maintain homeostasis in the gut through various mechanisms [e.g., butyrate, which is one of the major metabolites of gut microbiota, exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by activating G-protein-coupled receptors and inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs)]. Here, we focused on the inhibition of the HDACs by butyrate in RA. To this end, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of butyrate in an animal model of autoimmune arthritis. The arthritis score and incidence were lower in the butyrate-treated group compared to the control group. Also, butyrate inhibited HDAC2 in osteoclasts and HDAC8 in T cells, leading to the acetylation of glucocorticoid receptors and estrogen-related receptors α, respectively. Additionally, control of the TH17/Treg cell balance and inhibition of osteoclastogenesis were confirmed by the changes in target gene expression. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) produced by butyrate-induced expanded Treg cells was critical, as treatment with butyrate did not affect inflammatory arthritis in IL-10-knockout mice. This immune-cell regulation of butyrate was also detected in humans. These findings suggest that butyrate is a candidate agent for the treatment of RA

Use of the Smart Excretion Care System Linked to Electronic Medical Records to Alleviate Nursing Burden and Enhance Patient Convenience: Mixed Methods Study

BackgroundThe surge in older demographics has inevitably resulted in a heightened demand for health care, and a shortage of nursing staff is impending. Consequently, there is a growing demand for the development of nursing robots to assist patients with urinary and bowel elimination. However, no study has examined nurses’ opinions of smart devices that provide integrated nursing for patients’ urinary and bowel elimination needs. ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the Smart Excretion Care System tethered to electronic medical records in a tertiary hospital and community care setting and discuss the anticipated reductions in the burden of nursing care. MethodsFocus group interviews were conducted using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. The interviews were conducted in March 2021 and involved 67 nurses who had worked at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital for more than 1 year and had experience in assisting patients with excretion care. Data were collected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. ResultsA total of four themes relevant to the Smart Excretion Care System were found: (1) expected reductions in the burden of nursing care, (2) applicable indications (by departments and diseases), (3) preferred features/functions, and (4) expected benefits of using the Smart Excretion Care System in clinical facilities. Nurses from comprehensive nursing care wards had the highest burden when it came to excretion care. It was a common opinion that the Smart Excretion Care System would be very useful in intensive care units and should be applied first to patients with stroke or dementia. ConclusionsExcretion care is one of the most burdensome tasks for nurses, increasing their workload. The development of the Smart Excretion Care System as a digital health intervention could help improve nurses’ work efficiency, reduce their burden, and extend to caregivers and guardians

N-chloro hydantoin functionalized polyurethane fibers toward protective cloth against chemical warfare agents

Polyurethane nanofibers functionalized by high amount of N-chloro hydantoin were prepared for the decontamination of chemical warfare agents. Azido-polyurethane was firstly synthesized using azidopolydiol with 4,40-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) and 1,4-butanediol via step-addition polymerization. Hydantoin was introduced into the polyurethane via click reaction, followed by electrospinning and chlorination to obtain the decontaminable fibers. This N-chlorinated hydantoin-polyurethane fiber is an active decontaminable species for 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide and demeton-S-methyl, the simulant of chemical warfare agent. The decontamination efficiency of each exhibits 69% and 16% for 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide and demeton-S-methyl, respectively, with molar ratio of 1/1 for 2 h at ambient condition. This N-chlorinated hydantoin-polyurethane fiber exhibited considerable potential as the decontaminable material against toxic chemical warfare agents. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Vibration Damping Behavior of Composite Laminates Interleaved with PZT- and SMA-Particle-Dispersed Resin Mixture Films

In this study, functional particles such as piezoelectric (PZT) ceramic and shape memory alloy (SMA) particles have been incorporated in composite laminates to accelerate the loss of vibration energy. PZT ceramic particles and SMA particles are mixed with epoxy resin and rolled into a film shape before they are interleaved between prepreg plies for better distribution of the particles. Loss factor (tan δ) was measured with various particle loadings to verify the effectiveness of interleaving in the vibration damping of laminate specimens. It was observed that there existed an optimal content for maximizing the damping ability avoiding an aggregation of the particles. In addition, when PZT and SMA particles are applied simultaneously, PZT could enhance the vibration damping capability of SMA because PZT particles could generate thermal energy, and it would accelerate the phase change of the SMA particles. In this research, the effective way for enhancing the particle dispersion was suggested, and the particle loading could be controlled by finding an optimal content. Flexural moduli of the specimens were also measured, and they exhibited no change as the content of the particles increases. Therefore, dispersed particles used in this study increased the vibration damping capacity without reducing the mechanical properties

Analysis of High-Concentration PM2.5 Episodes during Winter 2019-2020 in Seoul, Korea

PM2.5 is a WHO-designated first-class carcinogen and coping with high-concentration situations with high human risk is becoming more important. In particular, Korea has a high concentration of PM2.5 in winter due to its geographical characteristics, which can be largely divided into foreign inflows and domestic atmospheric stability. To determine this, wind patterns and air pressure data were analyzed representatively and episodes about high concentration phenomena were classified. In this study, high-concentration PM2.5 episodes, where the daily average PM2.5 concentration in Seoul exceeded 35 μg/m3 between October 2019 to March 2020, were analyzed case-by-case. The criteria for the separation of consecutive episodes were established. Then, the designated episodes were classified into four categories based on cause: atmospheric stagnation, combination of causes, penetration from abroad, and accumulation. To identify the causes of the episodes, wind direction, wind speed data, wind roses, and air quality forecast modeling data obtained from “Air Korea” were studied. Fifteen episodes were identified and analyzed and each were given a classification type. Furthermore, the phenomenon of high-concentration episodes was summarized after detailed individual analysis of the episodes. As a result of case analysis, just before there was an inflow from abroad due to strong wind speed, a characteristic of low PM2.5 concentration of air quality as a kind of cleaning effect could be found. In addition, alarm-level PM2.5 concentrations of 75 μg/m3 or higher were often made by external inflow. This will contribute towards identifying the main causes of high PM2.5 concentration episodes in Korea when it is applied over a longer time period

Epoxy resins toughened with in situ azide-alkyne polymerized polysulfones

To simultaneously improve the fracture toughness and heat resistance of a cured toughened epoxy resin along with a reduction in its viscosity during the mixing process, two novel polysulfone-type polymers are synthesized via azide-alkyne polymerization for use as toughening agents. The epoxy resin toughened with these polymers by in situ azide-alkyne polymerization during the cure process, which shows excellent processibility and based on the significantly lower viscosity (61 and 62 cP) during epoxy mixing process than that of commonly commercial polyethersulfone (PES, 127,612 cP). The novel polysulfone-type polymer toughened epoxy resin showed the advantage in excellent fracture toughness than the PES toughened epoxy. In addition, the glass transition temperature of the novel polysulfone-type polymer toughened epoxy resin is similar to that of the neat one (similar to 230 degrees C) and does not decrease, which implies excellent heat resistance of the toughened epoxy. These phenomena can be attributed to the formation of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks comprising the epoxy network and the linear polysulfone-type polymers. (C) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Olfactory Stimulation with Volatile Aroma Compounds of Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) Essential Oil and Linalool Ameliorates White Fat Accumulation and Dyslipidemia in Chronically Stressed Rats

We explored the physiological effects of inhaling basil essential oil (BEO) and/or linalool and identified odor-active aroma compounds in BEO using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and GC–olfactometry (GC–O). Linalool was identified as the major volatile compound in BEO. Three groups of rats were administered BEO and linalool via inhalation, while rats in the control group were not. Inhalation of BEO for 20 min only reduced the total weight gain (190.67 ± 2.52 g) and increased the forced swimming time (47.33 ± 14.84 s) compared with the control group (219.67 ± 2.08 g, 8.33 ± 5.13 s). Inhalation of BEO for 5 min (392 ± 21 beats/min) only reduced the pulse compared with the control group (420 ± 19 beats/min). Inhalation of linalool only reduced the weight of white adipose tissue (5.75 ± 0.61 g). The levels of stress-related hormones were not significantly different among the groups. The total cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased after inhalation of BEO for 20 min (by more than −10% and −15%, respectively). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lowered (by more than −10%) by the inhalation of BEO and linalool, regardless of the inhalation time. In particular, BEO inhalation for 20 min was associated with the lowest level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (53.94 ± 2.72 mg/dL). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased after inhalation of BEO (by more than +15%). The atherogenic index and cardiac risk factors were suppressed by BEO inhalation. Animals exposed to BEO and linalool had no significant differences in hepatotoxicity. These data suggest that the inhalation of BEO and linalool may ameliorate cardiovascular and lipid dysfunctions. These effects should be explored further for clinical applications

Characterization of Brugmansia mosaic virus Isolated from Brugmansia spp. in Korea

In May 2013, an angel’s trumpet leaves showing mosaic and malformation symptoms were collected from Suwon city, Gyeonggi-do. An analysis of the collected sample by transmission electron microscopy observation showed filamentous rod particles of 720-800 nm in length. On the basis of the these observations, we performed PCR against three reported Potyviruses (Brugmansia mosaic virus, Colombian datura virus and Brugmansia suaveolens mottle virus), and the sample was positive for BruMV. Pathogenicity and host range test of BruMV was determined by mechanical inoculation. Solanaceae (tobacco, tomato and eggplant) and Amaranthaceae (ground cherry) appeared typical virus symptoms. To determine coat protein of this virus, we designed specific primer pairs, and performed PCR amplification, cloning, and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that BruMV-SW was most closely related to BruMV isolate SK. Comparison of the BruMV-SW coat protein nucleotide sequences showed 92% to 99% identities to the other BruMV isolates

IL-1-IL-17 Signaling Axis Contributes to Fibrosis and Inflammation in Two Different Murine Models of Systemic Sclerosis

ObjectiveSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive fibrotic disease that affects the skin and internal organs. Despite evidence implicating increased interleukin-17 (IL-17) activity in SSc, the role of IL-17 in SSc remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether IL-17 plays a pathophysiological role in SSc in two different murine models of SSc.MethodsBleomycin (BLM)-induced fibrosis and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) models were used. Histological analysis was performed using Masson’s trichrome and immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to quantify the messenger RNA and protein levels of inflammatory mediators in dermal fibroblasts.ResultsIL-1 receptor antagonist-deficient (IL-1Ra-KO) mice were more severely affected by BLM injection, as shown by dermal and pulmonary fibrosis, compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Increased tissue fibrosis was reversed by knocking down IL-17. In vitro experiments showed that IL-1 and IL-17 exerted synergistic effects on the expression of profibrotic and inflammatory mediators. In the cGVHD model, C57BL/6 mice receiving splenocytes of IL-1Ra-KO BALB/c mice developed more severe cGVHD than did those receiving cells from WT mice. Knockdown of IL-17 in IL-1Ra-KO donor mice significantly attenuated the IL-1-induced acceleration of cGVHD severity.ConclusionTargeting IL-1 and its downstream IL-17 activity may be a novel treatment strategy for inhibiting inflammation and tissue fibrosis in SSc

image_2_Attenuation of Rheumatoid Inflammation by Sodium Butyrate Through Reciprocal Targeting of HDAC2 in Osteoclasts and HDAC8 in T Cells.jpeg

<p>Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Recently, investigators have focused on the gut microbiota, which is thought to be an environmental factor that affects the development of RA. Metabolites secreted by the gut microbiota maintain homeostasis in the gut through various mechanisms [e.g., butyrate, which is one of the major metabolites of gut microbiota, exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by activating G-protein-coupled receptors and inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs)]. Here, we focused on the inhibition of the HDACs by butyrate in RA. To this end, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of butyrate in an animal model of autoimmune arthritis. The arthritis score and incidence were lower in the butyrate-treated group compared to the control group. Also, butyrate inhibited HDAC2 in osteoclasts and HDAC8 in T cells, leading to the acetylation of glucocorticoid receptors and estrogen-related receptors α, respectively. Additionally, control of the T_H17/T_reg cell balance and inhibition of osteoclastogenesis were confirmed by the changes in target gene expression. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) produced by butyrate-induced expanded T_reg cells was critical, as treatment with butyrate did not affect inflammatory arthritis in IL-10-knockout mice. This immune-cell regulation of butyrate was also detected in humans. These findings suggest that butyrate is a candidate agent for the treatment of RA.</p