Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Step Electrical Stimulation on Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis Rats.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects joints and induces pain and swelling. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of step electrical stimulation (SES) in this study. SES was carried out by increasing the voltage (3 V/s) from 5 V to 100 V for 60 cycles.

Near-Infrared Light Emitting Diode Based Non-Invasive Glucose Detection System.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease that has affected people since antiquity. The complexity of diabetes mellitus lies in the fact that it requires continuous management in order to prevent serious complications. Various methods for managing diabetes mellitus through monitoring blood glucose levels have been studied and developed, and the most widely used method includes using an invasive blood glucose meter.

[Corrigendum] Neurotoxin β‑N‑methylamino‑L‑alanine induces endoplasmic reticulum stress‑mediated neuronal apoptosis.

Following the publication of the above article and a Corrigendum published in July 2018, the authors have noted an additional error, associated with the presentation of Fig. 1C. Fig 1C showed that β‑N‑methylamino‑L‑alanine induces neuronal apoptotic cell death; however, an error was made in the compilation of this figure and an incorrect band image was selected for α‑actinin, the loading control panel for Fig.

[Corrigendum] Neurotoxin β‑N‑methylamino‑L‑alanine induces endoplasmic reticulum stress‑mediated neuronal apoptosis.

Following the publication of the article, the authors noted an error associated with the presentation of Fig. 4A. Fig 4 showed that overexpression of HSP70 suppresses ER stress-mediated neuronal death induced by β‑N‑methylamino‑L‑alanine (BMAA).

Modulation of M1/M2 polarization by capsaicin contributes to the survival of dopaminergic neurons in the lipopolysaccharide-lesioned substantia nigra in vivo.

The present study examined the neuroprotective effects of capsaicin (CAP) and explored their underlying mechanisms in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-lesioned inflammatory rat model of Parkinson's dieases (PD). LPS was unilaterally injected into the substantia nigra (SN) in the absence or presence of CAP or capsazepine (CZP, a TRPV1 antagonist). The SN tissues were prepared for immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, western blot analysis, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability evaluation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection.

GAREM1 regulates the PR interval on electrocardiograms.

PR interval is the period from the onset of P wave to the start of the QRS complex on electrocardiograms. A recent genomewide association study (GWAS) suggested that GAREM1 was linked to the PR interval on electrocardiograms. This study was designed to validate this correlation using additional subjects and examined the function of Garem1 in a mouse model.

Cordycepin-enriched WIB-801C from Cordyceps militaris improves functional recovery by attenuating blood-spinal cord barrier disruption after spinal cord injury.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cordyceps militaris is an ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine and have been widely used for inflammatory diseases and cancer. Cordycepin is one of the major bioactive components of Cordyceps militaris, and has been known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects.

Aim Of This Study: In the present study, we examined whether WIB-801C, a standardized and cordycepin-enriched extract of caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps militaris), would attenuate blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption by inhibiting matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9 activity, leading to improvement of functional outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Neurotoxin β‑N‑methylamino‑L‑alanine induces endoplasmic reticulum stress‑mediated neuronal apoptosis.

β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a neurotoxin that is closely associated with the incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. In cultured neuronal cells, BMAA notably induces the upregulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperons and activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) receptor pathways of protein kinase RNA‑like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, inositol‑requiring kinase 1 and transcription factor 6. The ER stress‑specific protein CCAAT/‑enhancer‑binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) affords pro‑apoptotic responses that cause mitochondrial damage and caspase activation.

Association between two promoter polymorphisms (rs1893219 and rs1893220) of MC2R gene and intracerebral hemorrhage in Korean population.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has an important role in the pathogenesis of stroke. We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), also known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) receptor, were associated with the development of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in Korean population. Two promoter SNPs [rs1893219 (-853A/G) and rs1893220 (-759G/T)] were genotyped in 145 ICH patients and 331 control subjects using direct sequencing.

Liver-targeted cyclosporine A-encapsulated poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles inhibit hepatitis C virus replication.

Therapeutic options for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been limited by drug resistance and adverse side effects. Targeting the host factor cyclophilin A (CypA), which is essential for HCV replication, offers a promising strategy for antiviral therapy. However, due to its immunosuppressive activity and severe side effects, clinical application of cyclosporine A (CsA) has been limited as an antiviral agent.

Phosphorylation and inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) by dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (Dyrk1A).

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) participates in many cellular processes, and its dysregulation has been implicated in a wide range of diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer disease. Inactivation of GSK3β by phosphorylation at specific residues is a primary mechanism by which this constitutively active kinase is controlled. However, the regulatory mechanism of GSK3β is not fully understood.

Association of annexin A5 polymorphisms with obesity.

Annexin A5 (ANXA5), which is known as a protein with anticoagulative function, may play a role in triglyceride biosynthesis. Triglycerides are involved in lipid and energy metabolism, which are important in the elucidation of obesity. To investigate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of and obesity in a Korean population, 372 participants (213 overweight/obese individuals and 159 control subjects) were enrolled from the Kyung Hee University Medical Center and Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center.

Impact of Several Types of Stresses on Short-term Memory and Apoptosis in the Hippocampus of Rats.

Purpose: Stress has a deteriorating effect on hippocampal function. It also contributes to symptom exacerbation in many disease states, including overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. We investigated the effects of various types of stresses (restraint, noise, and cold) on short-term memory and apoptosis in relation with corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) expression.

Dyrk1A-mediated phosphorylation of RCAN1 promotes the formation of insoluble RCAN1 aggregates.

The mechanisms underlying aggregate formation in age-related neurodegenerative diseases remain not well understood. Here we investigated whether dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (Dyrk1A) is involved in the formation of regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) aggregates. We show that RCAN1 self-associates and forms multimers, and that this process is promoted by the Dyrk1A-mediated phosphorylation of RCAN1 at the Thr(192) residue.

Missense polymorphisms in XIAP-associated factor-1 (XAF1) and risk of papillary thyroid cancer: correlation with clinicopathological features.

X-Linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP)-associated factor-1 (XAF1) antagonizes XIAP-mediated caspase inhibition. XAF1 also serves as a tumor-suppressor gene, and loss of XAF1 expression correlates with tumor progression. This study investigated whether XAF1 missense single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the development of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and their clinicopathological features in a Korean population.

MCPH1 protein expression and polymorphisms are associated with risk of breast cancer.

Microcephalin 1 (MCPH1) has a crucial role in the DNA damage response by promoting the expression of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1). MCPH1 containing BRCT domain has been suggested as a tumor suppressor in breast and ovarian cancers. We analyzed the effect of both protein expression and MCPH1 polymorphisms in breast cancer patients.

ATM-deficient human fibroblast cells are resistant to low levels of DNA double-strand break induced apoptosis and subsequently undergo drug-induced premature senescence.

DNA DSBs are induced by IR or radiomimetic drugs such as doxorubicin. It has been indicated that cells from ataxia-telangiectasia patients are highly sensitive to radiation due to defects in DNA repair, but whether they have impairment in apoptosis has not been fully elucidated. A-T cells showed increased sensitivity to high levels of DNA damage, however, they were more resistant to low doses.

Cannabinoids prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced neurodegeneration in the rat substantia nigra in vivo through inhibition of microglial activation and NADPH oxidase.

We investigated the effects of synthetic cannabinoids, WIN55,212-2 and HU210, on LPS-injected rat substantia nigra in vivo. Intranigral injection of LPS resulted in a significant loss of nigral dopaminergic (DA) neurons, as determined by Nissl staining and TH immunohistochemistry. LPS-induced neurotoxicity was accompanied by microglial activation, as demonstrated by OX-42 immunohistochemistry.

A Promoter polymorphism (rs17222919, -1316T/G) of ALOX5AP is associated with intracerebral hemorrhage in Korean population.

To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of eicosanoid biosynthesis genes are associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and ischemic stroke (IS), seven SNPs in the coding or promoter regions were selected: ALOX12 (rs434473, Asn322Ser), ALOX5 (rs2228064, Thr90Thr), ALOX5AP (rs17222919, -1316T/G), PTGES (rs7872802, -404A/G), PTGIS (rs5628, Leu256Leu), PTGS1 (rs3842788, Gln41Gln) and PTGS2 (rs5275, 3'UTR). A total of 398 control subjects and 196 stroke patients (79 ICH and 117 IS) were genotyped by direct sequencing. The rs17222919 SNP was associated with ICH in codominant 1 (P=0.

Association between TGFBR2 gene polymorphism (rs2228048, Asn389Asn) and intracerebral hemorrhage in Korean population.

Transforming growth factor, beta receptor II (TGFBR2) is mainly expressed by neurons in the central nervous system, and reduced neuronal TGFBR2 signaling results in accelerated age-dependent neurodegeneration. To investigate whether TGFBR2 polymorphisms are associated with ischemic stroke (IS) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TGFBR2 gene (rs764522, -1444C/G; rs2228048, Asn389Asn) were selected and genotyped by direct sequencing in 247 stroke patients (120 IS and 127 ICH) and 655 control subjects (260 for IS and 395 for ICH). SNPStats, SNPAnalyzer, Helixtree, and Haploview version 4.

Depression-like state in maternal rats induced by repeated separation of pups is accompanied by a decrease of cell proliferation and an increase of apoptosis in the hippocampus.

Stressful experiences, such as an unsatisfactory mother-infant relationship after delivery, can induce depressive disorders, and it is well-known that stressors impair memory function. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory processes. In the present study, we determined whether a depressed-like state induced by repeated separation of pups affects the memory capability of the maternal rats.

Prothrombin kringle-2 induces death of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in vivo and in vitro via microglial activation.

We have shown that prothrombin kringle-2 (pKr-2), a domain of human prothrombin distinct from thrombin could activate cultured rat brain microglia in vitro. However, little is known whether pKr-2-induced microglial activation could cause neurotoxicity on dopaminergic (DA) neurons in vivo. To address this question, pKr-2 was injected into the rat substantia nigra (SN).

Differential effects of 5-fluorouracil on glucose transport and expressions of glucose transporter proteins in gastric cancer cells.

Although 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of gastric cancer, the underlying mechanism for 5-FU resistant phenotype, has yet to be elucidated. We hypothesized that the sensitivity of gastric cancer to 5-FU treatment might be related to the rate of glucose transport (GLUT), and investigated the expressions of GLUT1, 2, 3, and 4 in two different gastric cancer cells (SNU-216, moderately differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma; and SNU-668, signet ring cell gastric carcinoma). Immunohistochemistry of GLUT1 and GLUT4 and immunoblot analysis of glycogen synthase kinase 3 were also performed.