Atypical maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis showing a nevus spilus-like lesion.

A 13-year-old Korean girl presented with a 7-year history of a pruritic, light-brown patch containing multiple 0.2- to 0.5-cm brownish-to-reddish maculopapules on the left anterior chest.

Aronia melanocarpa Extract Ameliorates Hepatic Lipid Metabolism through PPARγ2 Downregulation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Studies have demonstrated that anthocyanin-rich foods may improve hyperlipidemia and ameliorate hepatic steatosis. Here, effects of Aronia melanocarpa (AM), known to be rich of anthocyanins, on hepatic lipid metabolism and adipogenic genes were determined.

A Water-Ethanol Extract from the Willow Bracket Mushroom, Phellinus igniarius (Higher Basidiomycetes), Reduces Transient Cerebral Ischemia-Induced Neuronal Death.

This study investigated the potential neuroprotective effect of a mushroom extract from Phellinus igniarius (Piwep) after transient cerebral ischemia. Ph. Igniarius, which has a history of traditional medicinal use, contains immunomodulatory compounds that have been described to have effects on the human immune system.

A mushroom extract Piwep from Phellinus igniarius ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by inhibiting immune cell infiltration in the spinal cord.

The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a mushroom extract from Phellinus igniarius in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. The medicinal mushroom, Phellinus igniarius, contains biologically active compounds that modulate the human immune system. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG 35-55) in C57BL/6 female mice.

The anti-influenza virus effect of Phellinus igniarius extract.

Herbal medicine has been used in the orient for thousands of years to treat large and small ailments, including microbial infections. Although there are treatments for influenza virus infection, there is no treatment for drug-resistant viruses. It is time that we explored and exploited the multi-component nature of herbal extracts as multi-drug combination therapies.

Protective effect of Phellinus linteus polysaccharide extracts against thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats: a proteomics analysis.

Background: The hepatoprotective potential of Phellinus linteus polysaccharide (PLP) extracts has been described. However, the molecular mechanism of PLP for the inhibition of liver fibrosis is unclear. This study aims to investigate the molecular protein signatures involved in the hepatoprotective mechanisms of PLP via a proteomics approach using a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis rat model.

Inhibition of cytokine expression by a butanol extract from Cordyceps bassiana.

Cordyceps species have been known since long as a multi-utility ethnomedicinal herbal in Korea, China and Japan. It has been reported to exhibit a number of properties such as anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, antiinflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity effects. In a previously conducted study, we had demonstrated that the ethanol extract of Cordyceps bassiana was able to suppress the production of interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in macrophages and T lymphocytes.

Inhibition of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis by topical application of the butanol extract of Cordyceps bassiana in NC/Nga mice.

Ethnopharmacological Significance: The Cordyceps species are insect-borne mushrooms that have been ethnopharmacologically used for skin diseases such as eczema and dermatitis.

Aim Of The Study: In this study, we investigated the curative effects of the butanol fraction (CBBF) of Cordyceps bassiana on atopic dermatitis.

Materials And Methods: Dermatitis was induced by repeated application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) in NC/Nga mice.

p38-targeted inhibition of interleukin-12 expression by ethanol extract from Cordyceps bassiana in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages.

Cordyceps species have been known as ethnopharmacologically valuable mushroom in Korea, China, and Japan. This plant has been reported to exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities such as antioxidative, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiobesity effects. Although numerous pharmacological potentials of Cordyceps spp.

Internal sinus manipulation (ISM) procedure: a technical report.

Background: The sinus augmentation procedure has facilitated dental implant treatment in the posterior maxilla where there is insufficient bone for implant placement. A modified Caldwell-Luc, lateral window technique can be applied in most cases needing sinus augmentation in order to create a larger bone volume. However, treatment morbidity can be a concern, especially in the form of postoperative swelling due to surgical trauma.

Effects of gonadal steroid hormones on amylase secretion in pancreatic lobules of rats.

Objectives: Because functional changes of the pancreas during the ovarian cycle are not fully understood, effects of gonadal steroid hormones on pancreatic amylase content and secretion were investigated.

Methods: The estrus cycle of female rats was confirmed by vaginal smear. To mimic the estrus or the diestrus, estradiol 17beta (25 microg/kg) or progesterone (50 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to ovariectomized rats once daily for 2 days.

A training program to improve the ability of periodontal residents to estimate patients' pain experience.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether periodontal residents could enhance their ability to assess the pain levels experienced by their patients from probing, using visual analog scale (VAS) to record pain. We hypothesized that with increasing experience by repeated comparisons of the patients' VAS pain ratings with independent ratings by the residents, they would improve their ability to assess their patients' pain experiences.

Methods: For each of three periodontal residents, 40 consecutive patients with periodontal disease were asked to express the degree of pain they experienced during the probing.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid secreted from islet beta-cells modulates exocrine secretion in rat pancreas.

Aim: To investigate the role of endogenous gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) in pancreatic exocrine secretion.

Methods: The isolated, vascularly perfused rat pancreas was employed in this study to eliminate the possible influences of extrinsic nerves and hormones. Cholecystokinin (CCK; 10 pmol/L) was intra-arterially given to stimulate exocrine secretion of the pancreas.

Effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid on action of gastrin-releasing peptidergic neurons in exocrine secretion of isolated, perfused rat pancreas.

Introduction: gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been reported to enhance exocrine secretion evoked by intrinsic neuronal excitation in the pancreas.

Aim: To see the effect of GABA on the action of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)ergic neurons in exocrine secretion of the pancreas.

Methodology: Pancreatic neurons were excited by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the isolated, perfused rat pancreas.

Endogenous somatostatin inhibits interaction of insulin and cholecystokinin on exocrine secretion of isolated, perfused rat pancreas.

Introduction: Although somatostatin inhibits pancreatic exocrine secretion, the inhibitory mechanism of endogenous somatostatin is not clearly understood.

Aim: To investigate the effect of endogenous somatostatin on the interaction between endogenous insulin and exogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in exocrine secretion of the totally isolated, perfused rat pancreas.

Methodology: Endogenous releases of somatostatin and insulin were induced by 18 mM glucose.