The antioxidant xanthorrhizol prevents amyloid-β-induced oxidative modification and inactivation of neprilysin

Activity of neprilysin (NEP), the major protease which cleaves amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), is reportedly reduced in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Accumulation of Aβ generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), and then reduces activities of Aβ-degrading enzymes including NEP. Xanthorrhizol (Xan), a natural sesquiterpenoid, has been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proper- ties. The present study examined the effects of Xan on HNE- or oligomeric Aβ42-induced ox- idative modification of NEP protein. Xan was added to the HNE- or oligomeric Aβ42-treated SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells and then levels, oxidative modification and enzymatic activities of NEP protein were measured. Increased HNE levels on NEP proteins and re- duced enzymatic activities of NEP were observed in the HNE- or oligomeric Aβ42-treated cells. Xan reduced HNE levels on NEP proteins and preserved enzymatic activities of NEP in HNE- or oligomeric Aβ42-treated cells. Xan reduced Aβ42 accumulation and protected neurones against oligomeric Aβ42-induced neurotoxicity through preservation of NEP ac- tivities. These findings indicate that Xan possesses therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including AD, and suggest a potential mechanism for the neuroprotective effects of antioxidants for the prevention of AD

The Mediating and moderating effects of teacher-child relationships on social behavior and peer preference

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating and moderating effects of teacher-child relationships on children's social behavior and peer preference. The participants were 508 children and 28 head teachers of their classes. Teachers measured the children's social behavior and the teacher-child relationships. Peer preference was measured by peer nomination. The association between prosocial behavior and peer preference was partially mediated by teacher-child conflict. The association between withdrawal, aggression and peer preference was fully mediated by teacher-child conflict. The moderating effects of teacher-child conflict were found between prosocial behavior and peer preference. In addition, teacher-child conflict moderated the association between physical aggression and peer preference. (peer preference), -(teacher-child relationships), (prosocial behavior), (withdrawal)

Comparison of the efficacy and safety between a new monophasic hyaluronic acid filler and a biphasic hyaluronic acid filler in correcting facial wrinkles

Background The longstanding and common use of hyaluronic acid (HA) has driven the expanded development of various commercial HA fillers. However, differences in the components of these HA fillers lead to variations in their effect. We compared the in vivo safety and efficacy of biphasic HA (BHA) and a new monophasic HA (MHA) for improving facial wrinkles. We investigated differences in outcomes after their injection into nasolabial folds (NLFs) using the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS), patient satisfaction using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), and pain using a visual analog scale (VAS). We also performed a safety assessment of the two fillers. Methods This matched-pair, double-blind, randomized study compared the degree of temporal wrinkle improvement in the NLFs of 91 participants using the BHA filler versus the new MHA filler. Safety and efficacy were compared at 8 and 24 weeks. Results At 24 weeks after application, the average WSRS scores were 2.17±0.72 (BHA) and 2.07±0.71 (MHA) (P=0.034). The average GAIS scores, as measured by a treating investigator at 8 weeks and 24 weeks, were 0.94±0.76 (BHA) and 0.98±0.78 (MHA) at 8 weeks (P=0.181), and 0.44±0.64 (BHA) and 0.49±0.69 (MHA) at 24 weeks (P=0.103). The VAS pain score was 0 points at 30 minutes after filler application in both groups. Conclusions Both the BHA filler and the new MHA filler were safe and effective for improving facial wrinkles in NLFs, but the new MHA filler was more effective for the cosmetic improvement of wrinkle severity than the BHA filler

Case of seropositive allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in a 10-year-old girl without previously documented asthma

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity lung disease due to bronchial colonization of Aspergillus fumigatus that occurs in susceptible patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. A 10-year-old girl was referred to the Department of Pediatric Pulmonology for persistent consolidations on chest radiography. Pulmonary consolidations were observed in the right upper and left lower lobes and were not resolved with a 4-week prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The patient had a history of atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis but no history of asthma. She had no fever but produced thick and greenish sputum. Her breathing sounds were clear. On laboratory testing, her total blood eosinophil count was 1,412/mm3 and total serum IgE level was 2,200 kU/L. Aspergillus was isolated in the sputum culture. The A. fumigatus-specific IgE level was 15.4 kU/L, and the Aspergillus antibody test was also positive. A chest computed tomography scan demonstrated bronchial wall thickening and consolidation without bronchiectasis. An antifungal agent was added but resulted in no improvement of pulmonary consolidations after 3 weeks. Pulmonary function test was normal. Methacholine provocation test was performed, revealing bronchial hyperreactivity (PC20=5.31 mg/mL). Although the patient had no history of asthma or bronchiectasis, ABPA-seropositivity was suspected. Oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) combined with antifungal therapy was started. Pulmonary consolidations began decreasing after 1 week of treatment and completely resolved after 1 month. This is the first observed and treated case of seropositive ABPA in Korean children without previously documented asthma

THE EFFECTS OF WEARING SPANDEX GARMENT WITH COMPRESSION BAND ON KINEMATIC VARIABLES DURING A GOLF SWING

The purpose of this study was to investigate how spandex garment with compressive band affects kinematic variables during a golf swing. The X-factor and angular velocity of the club in EG were increased during the down swing phase, whereas the significant changes of other kinematic variables were not found in this study. Thus, the effects of wearing spandex garment with compression band cannot be explained as a function of the kinematic variables of interest. It is clear that wearing spandex garment with compressive band may enhance joint stability, which in turn may affect joint kinetics and muscle activation. This has led to suggestions of the need for further kinetic and EMG analyses to evaluate its function

The farnesoid X receptor negatively regulates osteoclastogenesis in bone remodeling and pathological bone loss

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR, NR1H4) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. Since the role of FXR in osteoclast differentiation remains ill-defined, we investigated the biological function of FXR on osteoclastogenesis, using FXR-deficient mice. We demonstrated that FXR deficiency increases osteoclast formation in vitro and in vivo. First, FXR deficiency was found to accelerate osteoclast formation via down-regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2 expression. Increased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PGC- 1)β seems to mediate the pro-osteoclastogenic effect of FXR deficiency via the JNK pathway. In addition, we found that FXR deficiency downregulated the expression of interferon-β (IFN-β), a strong inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis, via receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL). We further suggested that interference of IFN-β expression by FXR deficiency impaired the downstream JAK3-STAT1 signaling pathways, which in turn increased osteoclast formation. Finally, FXR deficiency accelerated unloading- or ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo. Thus, our findings demonstrate that FXR is a negative modulator in osteoclast differentiation and identify FXR as a potential therapeutic target for postmenopausal osteoporosis and unloadinginduced bone loss

Genomic alterations of primary tumor and blood in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genomic alterations are important events in the origin and progression of various cancers, with DNA copy number changes associated with progression and treatment response in cancer. Array CGH is potentially useful in the identification of genomic alterations from primary tumor and blood in breast cancer patients. The aim of our study was to compare differences of DNA copy number changes in blood and tumor tissue in breast cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>DNA copy number changes in blood were compared to those in tumor tissue using array-comparative genomic hybridization in samples obtained from 30 breast cancer patients. The relative degree of chromosomal changes was analyzed using log2 ratios and data was validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty-six regions of gains present in more than 30% of the tissues and 70 regions of gains present in more than 30% of blood were identified. The most frequently gained region was chromosome 8q24. In total, agreement of DNA copy numbers between primary tumor and blood was minimal (Kappa = 0.138, p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although there was only a slight agreement of DNA copy number alterations between the primary tumor and the blood samples, the blood cell copy number variation may have some clinical significance as compared to the primary tumor in IDC breast cancer patients.</p