Alpha-tocopherol exerts protective function against the mucotoxicity of particulate matter in amphibian and human goblet cells

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) in ambient air is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disorders and mortality. The cytotoxicity of PM is mainly due to the abnormal increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage cellular components such as DNA, RNA, and proteins. The correlation between PM exposure and human disorders, including mortality, is based on long-term exposure. In this study we have investigated acute responses of mucus-secreting goblet cells upon exposure to PM derived from a heavy diesel engine. To this end, we employed the mucociliary epithelium of amphibian embryos and human Calu-3 cells to examine PM mucotoxicity. Our data suggest that acute exposure to PM significantly impairs mucus secretion and results in the accumulation of mucus vesicles in the cytoplasm of goblet cells. RNA-seq analysis revealed that acute responses to PM exposure significantly altered gene expression patterns; however, known regulators of mucus production and the secretory pathway were not significantly altered. Interestingly, pretreatment with alpha-tocopherol nearly recovered the hyposecretion of mucus from both amphibian and human goblet cells. We believe this study demonstrates the mucotoxicity of PM and the protective function of alpha-tocopherol on mucotoxicity caused by acute PM exposure from heavy diesel engines

Akt1-Inhibitor of DNA binding2 is essential for growth cone formation and axon growth and promotes central nervous system axon regeneration.

Mechanistic studies of axon growth during development are beneficial to the search for neuron-intrinsic regulators of axon regeneration. Here, we discovered that, in the developing neuron from rat, Akt signaling regulates axon growth and growth cone formation through phosphorylation of serine 14 (S14) on Inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (Id2). This enhances Id2 protein stability by means of escape from proteasomal degradation, and steers its localization to the growth cone, where Id2 interacts with radixin that is critical for growth cone formation. Knockdown of Id2, or abrogation of Id2 phosphorylation at S14, greatly impairs axon growth and the architecture of growth cone. Intriguingly, reinstatement of Akt/Id2 signaling after injury in mouse hippocampal slices redeemed growth promoting ability, leading to obvious axon regeneration. Our results suggest that Akt/Id2 signaling is a key module for growth cone formation and axon growth, and its augmentation plays a potential role in CNS axonal regeneration

Sex Differences in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Older Korean Adults Living in Rural Areas: Prevalence, Quality of Life, and Associated Factors

Purpose Urinary incontinence (UI) is associated with nursing home admission, functional decline, and risk of death among community-dwelling older adults. Little information, however, is available on sex differences in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older Korean adults exclusively living in rural areas. This study examined sex-related differences in LUTS, factors associated with UI in older adults living in rural areas, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in incontinent older adults. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which face-to-face interviews were conducted at 15 rural community-health centres. A total of 323 older adults aged ≥65 years from rural areas of Korea participated. LUTS prevalence was evaluated and HRQoL was measured using the King’s Health Questionnaire. The chi-square test and t -test were used to examine sex differences in characteristics, LUTS, and HRQoL. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with UI. Results Nocturia was the most prevalent symptom, affecting 87% of men and 86% of women. Women (53%) had significantly more UI of any kind than did men (35%) (P=0.007). Urgency UI was the most frequent type of UI in men, whereas stress UI was the most frequent in women. Regarding HRQoL, men had significantly higher scores in the domains of sleep/energy disturbances (P=0.032) than did women, and women reported greater effects from the severity of incontinence (P=0.001) than did men. Arthritis was the only factor associated with UI in men (odds ratio [OR], 6.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46–32.36). However, women with diabetes mellitus were less likely to have UI than those without (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23–0.82). Conclusions LUTS were found to be highly prevalent in community-dwelling older Korean adults in rural areas. Interventions to improve sleep and to reduce UI severity are needed for incontinent men and women, respectively

Extracellular matrixes and neuroinflammation

The extracellular matrix is a critical component of every human tissue. ECM not only functions as a structural component but also regulates a variety of cellular processes such as cell migration, differentiation, proliferation, and cell death. In addition, current studies suggest that ECM is critical for the pathophysiology of various human diseases. ECM is composed of diverse components including several proteins and polysaccharide chains such as chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. Each component of ECM exerts its own functions in cellular and pathophysiological processes. One of the interesting recent findings is that ECM is involved in inflammatory responses in various human tissues. In this review, we summarized the known functions of ECM in neuroinflammation after acute injury and chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nerve systems

Effect of Guizhifulingwan (Keishibukuryogan) on climacteric syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

SPIRIT 2013 checklist. (DOCX 51 kb

Protective Effects of Platycodon grandiflorum Aqueous Extract on Thioacetamide-induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure in Mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective activity of aqueous extract from Platycodon grandiflorum (BC703) on thioacetamide (TA)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. We found that BC703 significantly decreased mortality and the change in serum transaminase following TA administration. The group treated with BC703 at doses of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg produced significant hepatoprotective effects against TA-induced liver damage by decreasing the activities of serum enzymes, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation in dose-dependent manners. Histopathological studies further substantiated the protective effect of BC703. These results show the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract from Platycodon grandiflorum on thioacetamide-induced fulminant hepatic failure

The occurrence of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease based on C-reactive protein levels: a retrospective cohort study

Background This study aimed to assess the occurrence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) according to serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods This retrospective analysis was based on the nationwide survey of KD conducted in the Republic of Korea between 2015 and 2017. We enrolled 9131 patients and defined low (< 3 mg/dL) and high (≥3 mg/dL) CRP groups. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, z-scores, and scores based on the Japanese criteria for CAL were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify CAL risk factors. Results The low CRP group accounted for 23% of patients. The mean age at diagnosis was higher in high CRP group compared to the low CRP group (34.4 ± 24.9 vs 31.7 ± 24.8 months, p < 0.001). Fever duration before treatment was not significantly different between the two groups (5.1 ± 1.7 days vs. 5.2 ± 2.1 days; p = 0.206). A non-response to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment was found in 1377 patients (20.1%) and 225 patients (11.7%) in the high and low CRP groups, respectively (p < 0.001). CAL were found in 12.9 and 18.3% of the high and low CRP patients, respectively (p < 0.001), based on z-scores; and in 9.9 and 12.5%, respectively (p = 0.001), based on the Japanese criteria in the acute phase. The giant coronary artery aneurysm occurrence ratio was similar between groups (p = 1.0). Conclusions CAL occurred in patients with both high and low CRP. Therefore, patients with KD should be carefully monitored regardless of their CRP levels

Blockade of cannabinoid 1 receptor improves glucose responsiveness in pancreatic beta cells

Cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1Rs) are expressed in peripheral tissues, including islets of Langerhans, where their function(s) is under scrutiny. Using mouse beta-cell lines, human islets and CB1R-null (CB1R(-/-)) mice, we have now investigated the role of CB1Rs in modulating beta-cell function and glucose responsiveness. Synthetic CB1R agonists diminished GLP-1-mediated cAMP accumulation and insulin secretion as well as glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in mouse beta-cell lines and human islets. In addition, silencing CB1R in mouse cells resulted in an increased expression of pro-insulin, glucokinase (GCK) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), but this increase was lost in cells lacking insulin receptor. Furthermore, CB1R(-/-) mice had increased pro-insulin, GCK and GLUT2 expression in cells. Our results suggest that CB1R signalling in pancreatic islets may be harnessed to improve beta-cell glucose responsiveness and preserve their function. Thus, our findings further support that blocking peripheral CB1Rs would be beneficial to beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes

Successful removal of kinked J-guide wire under fluoroscopic guidance during central venous catheterization -A case report-

Guidewire-associated complications that occur during the process of central venous catheterization include its kinking, looping, knotting and breakage. The removal of a looped or knotted guidewire is problematic because it can cause vessel damage, major hemorrhage, or embolization of a fractured guidewire. We report a case of guidewire kinking and its successful removal under fluoroscopic guidance