Prevalence of Childhood Allergic Diseases in Central Taiwan over the Past 15 Years

BackgroundThe prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema in children from the developed and developing countries has been increasing.MethodsThree epidemiological surveys of the prevalence of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema in schoolchildren in Taichung, located in central Taiwan, were conducted in 1987, 1994, and 2002. The first questionnaire was used before the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) written questionnaire was developed; the last two surveys were modified using ISAAC questionnaires.ResultsA total of 37,801, 75,960, and 11,580 children were studied in 1987, 1994 and 2002, respectively. The prevalence of allergic diseases had increased in the past two decades. Results indicate that the prevalence of bronchial asthma had risen, from 2.19% in 1987, and 3.54% in 1994, to 6.99% in 2002. Regardless of sex, the prevalence of bronchial asthma decreased with increasing age. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 5.1% in 1987, 12.46% in 1987, and 27.59% in 2002, and the prevalence of atopic eczema was 1.10% in 1987, 1.88% in 1994, and 3.35% in 2002.ConclusionThere has been a significant increase in the prevalence of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in Taichung schoolchildren from 1987 to 2002

Associations between Body Mass Index and serum levels of C-Reactive Protein

Background: Obesity imposes increased risks of cardiovascular disease and glucose intolerance, a phenomenon of chronic inflammation. This study was performed to determine whether higher body mass index (BMI) and central obesity are associated with low-grade inflammation. Methods: 8453 adults aged 20 years and older, were analyzed. Every subject completed a household interview, BMI measurement, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement, and a questionnaire regarding personal health. BMI was divided into quintiles, using multiple linear regression to estimate the relationship between CRP level and BMI quintiles. An extended-model approach was used for covariate adjustment. The association of central obesity and CRP level was examined with this method as well. Results: After controlling for demographics, chronic diseases, health behaviors, and levels of folate and vitamin B12, the β coefficient, representing the change of natural-log-transformed levels of CRP for each 1 kg/m2 increased in BMI, was 0.078(

The effect of work–family conflict on emotional exhaustion and job performance among service workers: the cross–level moderating effects of organizational reward and caring.

[[abstract]]This study reports on the relationships among work–family conflict (WFC), family–work conflict (FWC), emotional exhaustion and task performance of service workers. We also consider the cross-level moderating effects of organizational reward and caring on these relationships. To avoid common method variance, this study collects data from multiple levels, sources and time points. Data were collected from 238 service worker–manager pairs from 33 hotels at two different time points. The results of hierarchical linear modeling show that WFC positively relates to emotional exhaustion. In addition, organization’s caring reduces the influences of WFC on emotional exhaustion. Moreover, organization’s caring attenuates the negative effects of FWC on job performance. These findings have several implications for both future research and practitioners.[[notice]]補正完

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Melatonin in Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma, the most common primary bone malignancy, occurs most frequently in adolescents with a peak of incidence at 11–15 years. Melatonin, an indole amine hormone, shows a wide range of anticancer activities. The decrease in melatonin levels simultaneously concurs with the increase in bone growth and the peak age distribution of osteosarcoma during puberty, so melatonin has been utilized as an adjunct to chemotherapy to improve the quality of life and clinical outcomes. While a large amount of research has been conducted to understand the complex pleiotropic functions and the molecular and cellular actions elicited by melatonin in various types of cancers, a few review reports have focused on osteosarcoma. Herein, we summarized the anti-osteosarcoma effects of melatonin and its underlying molecular mechanisms to illustrate the known significance of melatonin in osteosarcoma and to address cellular signaling pathways of melatonin in vitro and in animal models. Even in the same kind of osteosarcoma, melatonin has been sparingly investigated to counteract tumor growth, apoptosis, and metastasis through different mechanisms, depending on different cell lines. We highlighted the underlying mechanism of anti-osteosarcoma properties evoked by melatonin, including antioxidant activity, anti-proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and the inhibition of invasion and metastasis. Moreover, we discussed the drug synergy effects of the role of melatonin involved and the method to fortify the anti-cancer effects on osteosarcoma. As a potential therapeutic agent, melatonin is safe for children and adolescents and is a promising candidate for an adjuvant by reinforcing the therapeutic effects and abolishing the unwanted consequences of chemotherapies

Effect of Selective Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists on Airway Inflammation and Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in a Mouse Asthma Model

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) play a major role in the pathogenic changes of airway inflammation in asthma treatment. The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family, especially MMP-9 and MMP-2 levels, can reflect the status of airway remodeling. This study was undertaken to determine the role of a specific CysLT receptor antagonist in inhibition of airway inflammation and reversal of airway remodeling. Methods: Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized BALB/c mice were fed with a specific leukotriene receptor antagonist (MK-679), prednisolone or placebo from Days 15 to 27. Airway hyperreactivity, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and sera were analyzed. Pulmonary histology was obtained, and the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in BALF were measured. Results: The OVA-sensitized mice developed significant airway inflammatory responses, including extensive eosinophils trafficking into BALF and lung interstitium, goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus hypersecretion, elevated serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and decreased level of serum IgG2a. Administration of MK-679 could reduce airway inflammation but was not as effective as prednisolone. However, MK-679 was more effective than prednisolone for reversing subepithelial fibrotic and myofibrotic reactions of airway remodeling. The levels of MMP-2 and -9 in BALF were proportional to the extent of airway remodeling, which can reflect the effects of treatment. Both prednisolone and MK-679 reverse airway hyperresponsiveness induced by OVA-sensitized mice. Conclusion: Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor plays a more important role than CysLT in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation. MMP-2 and -9 may be more sensitive indicators of airway remodeling

Comparison of Mometasone Furoate Monohydrate (Nasonex) and Fluticasone Propionate (Flixonase) Nasal Sprays in the Treatment of Dust Mite-sensitive Children with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Various studies have investigated the efficacies of mometasone furoate monohydrate (MFM) and fluticasone propionate (FP) nasal sprays for adults. However, research on their effectiveness for children is limited. This study compares the efficacies of MFM and FP nasal sprays in pediatric patients with perennial-allergic rhinitis. Materials and methods: For this study, 94 perennial allergic rhinitis patients aged 6–12 years were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: an MFM group and an FP group. Treatment was provided for 4 weeks. The effects of the two agents were compared using the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and total symptom scores (TSSs). Nasal-peak expiratory flow rates and eosinophil percentage in nasal smears were also compared between the two groups. Results: Patients in the MFM group exhibited significant improvement in their TSS (t = −2.65, p < 0.05). A detailed TSS analysis showed MFM to be more effective for relieving nasal symptoms, whereas FP was more effective for relieving non-nasal symptoms. Patient questionnaire scores suggested a significant reduction in symptoms for both the MFM (t = −7.23, p < 0.01) and FP (t = −5.43, p < 0.01) groups. The flow rate test results indicated significant improvements in the MFM group (t = 2.27, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Following the 4-week therapy, MFM provided greater improvement compared to FP for symptoms of childhood perennial-allergic rhinitis. Based on their TSSs, the MFM group experienced more effective relief of nasal symptoms, whereas the FP group experienced more effective relief of non-nasal symptoms

Opposite associations of osteoprotegerin and ZBTB40 polymorphisms with bone mineral density of the hip in postmenopausal Taiwanese women

Background: An elevated annual incidence rate of hip fracture has been reported among elderly Taiwanese. Moreover, bone mineral density (BMD) is the single most reliable predictor of fragility fractures. We aimed to identify the association between gene sequence variants and hip BMD in postmenopausal Taiwanese women. Methods: We prospectively analyzed data from 163 postmenopausal Taiwanese women to test an association between rs7524102, rs6696981, or rs6993813 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and hip BMD. Results: Our study showed that rs6993813 (osteoprotegerin gene) and rs6696981 (ZBTB40 gene) SNPs have an opposite association with hip BMD. For rs6993813 genotypic frequencies, the adjusted odds ratio for hip osteoporosis was 9.53 for individuals with T/T minor allele homozygotes, compared with that of participants with C/C wild-type homozygotes. Hip BMD also had an association with rs6993813 SNPs, especially in T/T minor allele homozygotes. For rs6696981 SNPs, hip BMD in G/T heterozygotes and at least one mutated T allele was higher than that in wild-type G/G homozygotes. Conclusion: The gene sequence variant rs6993813 reduced hip BMD and increased the risk of hip osteoporosis, whereas rs6696981 increased hip BMD in postmenopausal Taiwanese women. This indicated that the two SNPs may provide some explanation for the high risk of hip fracture in this population

Curcumin Analogue L48H37 Suppresses Human Osteosarcoma U2OS and MG-63 Cells’ Migration and Invasion in Culture by Inhibition of uPA via the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway

Osteosarcoma, the most prevalent malignant bone tumor in the pediatric age group, is responsible for the great majority of cancer-associated deaths owing to its highly metastatic potential. The anti-metastatic effects of the new curcumin analogue L48H37 in human osteosarcoma are still unknown; hence, we investigated whether L48H37 represses human osteosarcoma cells&rsquo; biological behavior of migratory potential and invasive activities and attempted to delve into its underlying mechanisms. L48H37 up to 5 &mu;M inhibited, without cytotoxicity, the motility, migration, and invasion of human osteosarcoma U2OS and MG-63 cells. In U2OS cells, the human protease array revealed an obvious decrease in urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression after L48H37 treatment, and L48H37 actually reduced the level, protein and mRNA expression, and promoter activity of uPA dose-dependently. L48H37 decreased the phosphorylation of STAT3, JAK1, JAK2, and JAK3 in U2OS cells, but did not affect the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, p38, and Akt. Using colivelin, an activator of STAT3, the L48H37-induced decrease in uPA and migratory potential could be countered as expected. Collectively, L48H37 represses the invasion and migration capabilities of U2OS and MG-63 cells by the suppression of uPA expression and the inhibition of JAK/STAT signaling. These results suggest that L48H37 may be a potential candidate for anti-metastatic treatment of human osteosarcoma

HO-3867 Induces Apoptosis via the JNK Signaling Pathway in Human Osteosarcoma Cells

Metastatic osteosarcoma often results in poor prognosis despite the application of surgical en bloc excision along with chemotherapy. HO-3867 is a curcumin analog that induces cell apoptosis in several cancers, but the apoptotic effect and its mechanisms on osteosarcoma cells are still unknown. After observing the decrease in cellular viability of three human osteosarcoma U2OS, HOS, and MG-63 cell lines, and the induction of cellular apoptosis and arrest in sub-G1 phase in U2OS and HOS cells by HO-3867, the human apoptosis array showed that heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and cleaved caspase-3 expressions had significant increases after HO-3867 treatment in U2OS cells and vice versa for cellular inhibitors of apoptosis (cIAP)1 and X-chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP). Western blot analysis verified the results and showed that HO-3867 activated the initiators of both extrinsic caspase 8 and intrinsic caspase 9, and significantly increased cleaved PARP expression in U2OS and HOS cells. Moreover, with the addition of HO-3867, ERK1/2, and JNK1/2 phosphorylation were increased in U2OS and HOS cells. Using the inhibitor of JNK (JNK in 8), HO-3867&rsquo;s increases in cleaved caspases 3, 8, and 9 could be expectedly suppressed, indicating that JNK signaling is responsible for both apoptotic pathways, including extrinsic and intrinsic, in U2OS and HOS cells caused by HO-3867. Through JNK signaling, HO-3867 has proven to be effective in causing both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways of human osteosarcoma cells