Esculetin has therapeutic potential via the proapoptotic signaling pathway in A253 human submandibular salivary gland tumor cells.

Esculetin is a natural lactone that is commonly derived from coumarins. According to previous experiments using human cancer cells, esculetin has potent antitumor activity; it also inhibits proliferation and induces the apoptosis of cancer cells. In the present study, the anti-proliferative effect of esculetin on the submandibular salivary gland tumor cell line, A253, was evaluated via and analyses.

Polydatin Alleviates Diabetes-Induced Hyposalivation through Anti-Glycation Activity in db/db Mouse.

Polydatin (resveratrol-3-O-β-mono-D-glucoside) is a polyphenol that can be easily accessed from peanuts, grapes, and red wine, and is known to have antiglycation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Diabetes mellitus is a very common disease, and diabetic complications are very common complications. The dry mouth symptom is one of the most common oral complaints in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Advanced Glycation End Products Increase Salivary Gland Hypofunction in d-Galactose-Induced Aging Rats and Its Prevention by Physical Exercise.

A declined salivary gland function is commonly observed in elderly people. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of aging. Although physical exercise is shown to increase various organ functions in human and experimental models, it is not known whether it has a similar effect in the salivary glands.

Gemigliptin suppresses salivary dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Patients with diabetes commonly experience hyposalivation, which induces discomfort in eating, swallowing, dryness, smell, and speaking, as well as increases the incidence of periodontal disease. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors are frequently used as antidiabetic drugs that lower glucose levels by utilizing similar mechanisms; however, additional protective functions of each gliptin have been discovered. In this study, the protective roles of gemigliptin, a DPP4 inhibitor, against salivary dysfunction under diabetic conditions were investigated.

extract inhibits retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy, with its bioactive components preventing VEGF-induced retinal vascular hyperpermeability.

Neovascularization in the retina is common pathophysiology of diabetic retinal microvasculopathy and exudative macular degeneration. Our study assessed the inhibitory activity of an ethanol-based extract of (AJE) on abnormal angiogenesis in the retina with a hyperoxia-induced neovascular retinopathy model. The inhibitory effects of aucubin, quercetin, and kaempferol, bioactive compounds, from , on retinal vascular hyperpermeability were also examined.

Aucubin, An Active Ingredient in , Prevents -methyl--nitrosourea-induced Retinal Degeneration in Mice.

In the present study, we examined the potent retinoprotective effects of an ethanol-based extract of (AJE) and its active ingredient, aucubin, on -methyl--nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal degeneration in mice. Retinal degeneration was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of MNU (60 mg/kg). AJE (250 mg/kg) and aucubin (15 mg/kg) were orally administered for 1 week after the MNU injection.

Antiglycation Activity of Aucubin In Vitro and in Exogenous Methylglyoxal Injected Rats.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is a causative factor of various chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease and atherosclerosis. AGE inhibitors, such as aminoguanidine and pyridoxamine, have the therapeutic activities for reversing the increase in AGEs burden. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of aucubin on the formation of methylglyoxal (MGO)-modified AGEs in vitro.

Clinical impact of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer: diagnosing lymph node metastasis and predicting survival.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) for lymph node (LN) metastasis and the prognostic significance of F-FDG PET/CT LN parameters in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who underwent staging F-FDG PET/CT between May 2007 and September 2016 were retrospectively enrolled and analyzed through medical record and image re-evaluation. The diagnostic accuracy of F-FDG PET/CT in predicting LN metastasis was evaluated and compared with that of contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CECT).

Evaluation of the flexural mechanical properties of various thermoplastic denture base polymers.

This study evaluated the flexural mechanical properties of various thermoplastic denture base polymers (six polyamides, four acrylic resins, polyester, polypropylene, and polycarbonate) by three different testing conditions; specimens were tested in water bath at 37°C (Wet/Water, by ISO 20795-1), or in ambient air (Wet/Air) after being immersed in distilled water for 50 h, or after desiccation for 7 days (Dry/Air). The mean ultimate flexural strength (UFS) and flexural modulus (FM) for most products ranged from 27 to 61 MPa and from 611 to 1,783 MPa respectively, which failed to meet the minimum requirements of the international standard, except for polycarbonate (89 and 2,245 MPa). The mean UFS and FM values were ranked Dry/Air>Wet/Air>Wet/Water (p<0.

Efficacy of tenofovir-based rescue therapy for chronic hepatitis B patients with resistance to lamivudine and entecavir.

Background/aims: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) monotherapy for 48 weeks provided a virological response comparable to that of TDF and entecavir (ETV) combination therapy in patients infected with ETV-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV). Little long-term data in routine clinical practice are available regarding the optimal treatment of patients with ETV-resistant HBV.

Methods: We investigated the long-term antiviral efficacy of combination therapy of TDF+lamivudine (LAM) or TDF+ETV compared to that of TDF monotherapy in 73 patients with resistance to both LAM and ETV.

Increased risk of thyroid diseases in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A nationwide population-based Study in Korea.

We investigated the association between autoimmune thyroid disease and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using nationwide insurance claims data for the entire Korean population. Claims data for the period 2009-2013 were retrieved from the National Health Insurance System database. SLE and thyroid disease were identified using the International Classification of Diseases codes and medication information.

Prediction of homoprotein and heteroprotein complexes by protein docking and template-based modeling: A CASP-CAPRI experiment.

We present the results for CAPRI Round 30, the first joint CASP-CAPRI experiment, which brought together experts from the protein structure prediction and protein-protein docking communities. The Round comprised 25 targets from amongst those submitted for the CASP11 prediction experiment of 2014. The targets included mostly homodimers, a few homotetramers, and two heterodimers, and comprised protein chains that could readily be modeled using templates from the Protein Data Bank.

Novel c-Met inhibitor suppresses the growth of c-Met-addicted gastric cancer cells.

Background: c-Met signaling has been implicated in oncogenesis especially in cells with c-met gene amplification. Since 20 % of gastric cancer patients show high level of c-Met expression, c-Met has been identified as a good candidate for targeted therapy in gastric cancer. Herein, we report our newly synthesized c-Met inhibitor by showing its efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.

Tuning of Pectin Methylesterification: PECTIN METHYLESTERASE INHIBITOR 7 MODULATES THE PROCESSIVE ACTIVITY OF CO-EXPRESSED PECTIN METHYLESTERASE 3 IN A pH-DEPENDENT MANNER.

Pectin methylesterases (PMEs) catalyze the demethylesterification of homogalacturonan domains of pectin in plant cell walls and are regulated by endogenous pectin methylesterase inhibitors (PMEIs). In Arabidopsis dark-grown hypocotyls, one PME (AtPME3) and one PMEI (AtPMEI7) were identified as potential interacting proteins. Using RT-quantitative PCR analysis and gene promoter::GUS fusions, we first showed that AtPME3 and AtPMEI7 genes had overlapping patterns of expression in etiolated hypocotyls.

A Case of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect Associated with Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm Mimicking Membranous Septal Aneurysm.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are rare. Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are frequently associated with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and aortic regurgitation. They often remain asymptomatic until abruptly presenting with acute chest pain and heart failure secondary to rupture.

The structure of the catalytic domain of a plant cellulose synthase and its assembly into dimers.

Cellulose microfibrils are para-crystalline arrays of several dozen linear (1→4)-β-d-glucan chains synthesized at the surface of the cell membrane by large, multimeric complexes of synthase proteins. Recombinant catalytic domains of rice (Oryza sativa) CesA8 cellulose synthase form dimers reversibly as the fundamental scaffold units of architecture in the synthase complex. Specificity of binding to UDP and UDP-Glc indicates a properly folded protein, and binding kinetics indicate that each monomer independently synthesizes single glucan chains of cellulose, i.

Structure-function analysis of the DNA translocating portal of the bacteriophage T4 packaging machine.

Tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses consist of a structurally well conserved dodecameric portal at a special 5-fold vertex of the capsid. The portal plays critical roles in head assembly, genome packaging, neck/tail attachment, and genome ejection. Although the structures of portals from phages φ29, SPP1, and P22 have been determined, their mechanistic roles have not been well understood.

Improving computational protein design by using structure-derived sequence profile.

Designing a protein sequence that will fold into a predefined structure is of both practical and fundamental interest. Many successful, computational designs in the last decade resulted from improved understanding of hydrophobic and polar interactions between side chains of amino acid residues in stabilizing protein tertiary structures. However, the coupling between main-chain backbone structure and local sequence has yet to be fully addressed.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 2-aryl-7-(3',4'-dialkoxyphenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as novel PDE-4 inhibitors.

Described herein is design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel series of 2-aryl-7-(3',4'-dialkoxyphenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines acting as inhibitors of type 4 phosphodiesterase (PDE4) which is known as a good target for the treatment of asthma and COPD. For this purpose, structure optimization was conducted with the aid of structure-based drug design using the known X-ray crystallography. Also, biological effects of these compounds on the target enzyme were evaluated by using in vitro assays, leading to the potent and selective PDE-4 inhibitor (IC(50)<10nM).

The metabolic syndrome identifies a heterogeneous group of metabolic component combinations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Aim: To compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) by combinations of MetS components derived from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions.

Methods: Four studies with ethnically distinct populations from the Asia-Pacific region were selected from the DETECT-2 study database. The prevalences of combinations of MetS components using the modified ATPIII (modATPIII) and IDF MetS definitions were compared between sexes and across populations.

Comparisons of metabolic syndrome definitions in four populations of the Asia-Pacific region.

Background: To compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) by four MetS definitions in four Asia-Pacific populations, and to compare the prevalence of individual metabolic components.

Methods: Population-based cross-sectional studies from Australia, Japan, Korea, and Samoa were used to assess the World Health Organization (WHO), European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance (EGIR), modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (modATPIII), and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) MetS definitions. Age-adjusted MetS prevalences were compared within and between countries and kappa statistics were used to determine the agreement between IDF and the other three definitions.

Complexity changes of the EEG induced by alcohol cue exposure in alcoholics and social drinkers.

Background: An understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying alcohol craving is important in the effective treatment of alcohol dependence. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of the electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure the changes in electrical brain activity of alcoholics when exposed to alcohol-specific cues.

Methods: Fifteen adult alcoholic subjects (four women) with a mean age of 35 (SD = 4.

Delivery modes and neonatal EEG: spatial pattern analysis.

Background: Animal studies indicate that postnatal adaptation and development of neonates could be different due to the birth method and that these effects may last throughout adulthood.

Study Design: We applied a spatio-temporal analysis to EEG recordings of a group of neonates to investigate the influence of a cesarean section on maturation and extrauterine adaptation of the brain. EEG were recorded at 2 h and at 24 h after delivery.

Sonographic evaluation of breast nodules: comparison of conventional, real-time compound, and pulse-inversion harmonic images.

Objective: To compare the use of conventional, real-time compound, and pulse-inversion harmonic imaging in the evaluation of breast nodules.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-two breast nodules were included in this study, conducted between May and December 2000, in which conventional, real-time compound, and pulse-inversion harmonic images were obtained in the same plane. Three radiologists, each blinded to the interpretations of the other two, evaluated the findings, characterizing the lesions and ranking the three techniques from grade 1, the worst, to grade 3, the best.