Asthmatics without rhinitis have more fixed airway obstruction than those with concurrent rhinitis.

Purpose: Rhinitis and asthma usually occur together. There are increasing evidences that allergic rhinitis (AR) may influence the clinical course of asthma. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical parameters and therapeutic response in patients with between asthma and asthma with AR.

Non-classical exocytosis of alpha-synuclein is sensitive to folding states and promoted under stress conditions.

Parkinson's disease is characterized by deposition of misfolded/aggregated alpha-synuclein proteins in multiple regions of the brain. Neurons can release alpha-synuclein; through this release, pathological forms of alpha-synuclein are propagated between neurons, and also cause neuroinflammation. In this study, we demonstrate that release of alpha-synuclein is consistently increased under various protein misfolding stress conditions in both neuroblastoma and primary neuron models.

Protection of leukotriene receptor antagonist against aspirin-induced bronchospasm in asthmatics.

Purpose: Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) are used to treat aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA); however, the protective effects of long-term LTRA administration against aspirin-induced bronchospasm have not been evaluated.

Objectives: We investigated the efficacy of a 12-week treatment with a LTRA in protecting against aspirin-induced asthma in AIA patients.

Methods: Fifty-two adult patients with AIA underwent an aspirin challenge test just before administration of montelukast (10 mg/day) and just after 12 weeks of treatment.

Association analysis of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma gene polymorphisms with asprin hypersensitivity in asthmatics.

Purpose: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are transcriptional factors activated by ligands of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. The activation of PPARgamma regulates inflammation by downregulating the production of Th2 type cytokines and eosinophil function. In addition, a range of natural substances, including arachidonate pathway metabolites such as 15-hydroxyeicosatetranoic acid (15-HETE), strongly promote PPARG expression.

Modulation of cytokine and nitric oxide by mesenchymal stem cell transfer in lung injury/fibrosis.

Background: No effective treatment for acute lung injury and fibrosis currently exists. Aim of this study was to investigate the time-dependent effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMDMSCs) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced acute lung injury and fibrosis and nitric oxide metabolites and inflammatory cytokine production.

Methods: BMDMSCs were transferred 4 days after BLM inhalation.

Utilization of house fly-maggots, a feed supplement in the production of broiler chickens.

Recent studies have suggested the utilization of maggots as a feed supplement forenhanced broiler performance. Maggots, which are a major dietary source of protein, appear during the biodegradation of chicken droppings using house flies. The objective ofthe present study was to investigate the effect of maggot supplementation on the meat quality and growth performance of broiler chickens.

Development of a portable analyzer with polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) for continuous sampling and monitoring of Pb(II).

A new portable analyzer with polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) has been designed, fabricated and fully characterized for continuous sampling and monitoring of lead (Pb(II)) in this work. As the working electrodes of the sensor, bismuth (Bi (III)) which allowed the advantage of being more environmentally friendly than traditional mercury drop electrodes was used, while maintaining similar sensitivity and other desirable characteristics. The size of a portable analyzer was 30 cmx23 cmx7 cm, and the weight was around 3 kg.

Kinetics determination of electrogenerated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using carbon fiber microelectrode in electroenzymatic degradation of phenolic compounds.

The kinetics of electrogenerated hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), which can activate peroxidases in an electroenzymatic process, was examined by an amperometric technique using a carbon fiber microelectrode that was modified by polyaniline (PAn) film and platinum particles. The electrogeneration of H(2)O(2) was found to be dependent on the pH and applied potential, and resulting in a variable current response of the carbon fiber microelectrode. The highest amount of H(2)O(2) was electrogenerated when 2.

Genetic effect of CysLTR2 polymorphisms on its mRNA synthesis and stabilization.

Background: We previously demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and haplotypes were associated with aspirin hypersensitivity in asthmatics. We investigated the genetic effects of the SNPs and haplotypes on the expression of the CysLTR2 gene.

Methods: We measured CysLTR2 protein and mRNA expression in EB virus-infected B cell lines from asthmatics having ht1+/+ and ht2+/+.

Melatonin inhibits the development of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease in children, and epicutaneous treatment with a chemical hapten such as 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) evokes an AD-like reaction in NC/Nga mice under specific pathogen-free conditions. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is synthesized by the pineal gland, has several different physiologic functions, which include seasonal reproduction control, immune system modulation, free radical scavenging, and inflammatory suppression. In the present study, we investigated whether melatonin suppresses DNFB-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

The small molecule GMX1778 is a potent inhibitor of NAD+ biosynthesis: strategy for enhanced therapy in nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase 1-deficient tumors.

GMX1777 is a prodrug of the small molecule GMX1778, currently in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. We describe findings indicating that GMX1778 is a potent and specific inhibitor of the NAD(+) biosynthesis enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT). Cancer cells have a very high rate of NAD(+) turnover, which makes NAD(+) modulation an attractive target for anticancer therapy.

Interleukin-13 and its receptors in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: clinical implications for lung function.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is characterized by varying degrees of interstitial fibrosis. IL-13 and IL-4 are strong inducers of tissue fibrosis, whereas IFN-gamma has antifibrotic potential. However, the roles of these substances in IIP remain unknown.

Tissue transglutaminase can be involved in airway inflammation of toluene diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate whether tissue transglutaminase (tTG) may be involved in airway inflammation of toluene diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma (TDI-OA).

Methods: We enrolled 93 patients with TDI-OA, 177 asymptomatic exposed subjects, 43 patients with allergic asthma, and 70 unexposed normal controls. The prevalence of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) to tTG in the TDI-OA group (20.

The HLA DRB1*1501-DQB1*0602-DPB1*0501 haplotype is a risk factor for toluene diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma.

Background: Although the pathogenesis of toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced occupational asthma (TDI-OA) is incompletely understood, several studies have suggested immunologic mechanisms, including specific IgE responses. A few studies have suggested human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations with TDI-induced asthma in Western countries, but this is the first investigation of associations between HLA class I and II alleles and TDI-induced asthma patients in Asia, using high-resolution analysis.

Methods: Patients with TDI-OA (n = 84), asymptomatic exposed controls (AECs, n = 47) and unexposed normal controls (NCs, n = 127) were enrolled.

The impact of smoking on clinical and therapeutic effects in asthmatics.

Smoking is associated with poor symptom control and impaired therapeutic responses in asthma. A total of 843 patients with asthma were recruited. The patients received treatment for 1 yr according to the severity of their asthma.

Border-cell migration requires integration of spatial and temporal signals by the BTB protein Abrupt.

During development, elaborate patterns of cell differentiation and movement must occur in the correct locations and at the proper times. Developmental timing has been studied less than spatial pattern formation, and the mechanisms integrating the two are poorly understood. Border-cell migration in the Drosophila ovary occurs specifically at stage 9.

MYLK polymorphism associated with blood eosinophil level among asthmatic patients in a Korean population.

The myosin light chain kinase (MYLK) gene encodes both smooth muscle and nonmuscle cell isoforms. Recently, polymorphisms in MYLK have been reported to be associated with several diseases. To examine the genetic effects of polymorphisms on the risk of asthma and related phenotypes, we scrutinized MYLK by re-sequencing/genotyping and statistical analysis in Korean population (n = 1,015).

Association of serum leptin and adiponectin with obesity in asthmatics.

Background: Mounting evidence implicates obesity as a major risk factor for asthma. Leptin and adiponectin produced by fat tissues play a critical role in the regulation of body weight and allergic inflammation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of leptin and adiponectin on development of asthma.

Association of IL-17RB gene polymorphism with asthma.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-17E is a member of the IL-17 family, which induces IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin in experimental animals via IL-17 receptor B (IL-17RB). The activation of IL-17RB amplifies allergic-type inflammatory responses by inducing Jun kinase (or JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (or MAPK), and nuclear factor-kappaB.

Objectives: We examined the association of polymorphisms in the IL-17RB gene with asthma susceptibility and investigated the effects of those polymorphisms on the transcription of various IL-17RB isoforms.

Antioxidative potential of raw breast meat from broiler chicks fed a dietary medicinal herb extract mix.

This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidative potential and quality of the breast meat of broiler chickens fed a dietary medicinal herb extract mix (MHEM, consisting of mulberry leaf, Japanese honeysuckle, and goldthread at a ratio of 48.5:48.5:3.

Genetic interactions model among Eotaxin gene polymorphisms in asthma.

Eotaxin family (Eotaxin 1,2 and 3) recruits and activates CCR3-bearing cells such as eosinophil, mast cells, and Th2 lymphocytes that play a major role in allergic disorders. We examined the polygenetic effects of the Eotaxin gene family in a Korean population. Gene-gene interactions were tested using a multistep approach with multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method between asthmatics and normal controls.

Obesity in aspirin-tolerant and aspirin-intolerant asthmatics.

Background And Objective: Obesity is an important factor in the development of asthma. Aspirin hypersensitivity affects 5-10% of asthmatics. The association between obesity and aspirin hypersensitivity in asthma is unclear.

Comparison of hypolipidemic activity of synthetic gallic acid-linoleic acid ester with mixture of gallic acid and linoleic acid, gallic acid, and linoleic acid on high-fat diet induced obesity in C57BL/6 Cr Slc mice.

Hyperlipidemia is the major risk factors of heart disease such as atherosclerosis, stroke, and death. In the present study, we studied the effect of gallic acid (GA), linoleic acid (LA), mixture of GA and LA (MGL), and chemically synthesized gallic acid-linoleic acid ester (octadeca-9,12-dienyl-3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate, GLE) on the ability to ameliorate hyperlipidemia in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). GLE, GA, LA, and MGL were mixed with HFD and the composition of the test compounds were 1% of the diet for 7 weeks.

Asp-Tyr-Leu-Lys tetrapeptide inhibits airway inflammation in toluene-2,4-diisocyanate-induced asthma mice.

Background: Airway inflammation and remodelling contribute to chronic airway obstruction of asthma. Currently, no medication effectively controls airway remodelling and related vascular changes. Therefore, new strategies need to be developed.

Ym1 and Ym2 expression in a mouse model exposed to diesel exhaust particles.

Background: Chitinase may play a role in regulating allergic diseases.

Objective: We studied the role of chitinase in a mouse model exposed to diesel exhaust particles (DEP). Mice were exposed to intranasal DEP (0.