Licochalcone D Inhibits Skin Epidermal Cells Transformation through the Regulation of AKT Signaling Pathways.

Cell transformation induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is a critical event in cancer initiation and progression, and understanding the underlying mechanisms is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Licorice extract contains various bioactive compounds, which have been reported to have anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the cancer preventive efficacy of licochalcone D (LicoD), a chalcone derivative in licorice extract, in EGF and TPA-induced transformed skin keratinocyte cells.

Anti-obesity effects of yuja (Citrus junos Sieb ex Tanaka) pomace extract fermented with lactic acid bacteria on the hepatocytes and epididymal fat tissue of rats.

This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of yuja pomace extract fermented with lactic acid bacteria in rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity over a period of eight weeks. Epididymal fat cell size was significantly smaller, by about 33%, in the treatment groups given yuja pomace extract fermented with lactic acid bacteria compared to the CON group. Electron microscopic observation of hepatocyte microstructure showed that the number of lipid droplets was lower in hepatocytes, the number of mitochondria was higher, along with distinct cristae, and the rough endoplasmic reticula were well developed with stacks of cisternae and ribosomes.

The Effects of Manual Acupuncture on Mitochondrial Fusion and Fission Gene Expression in Rat Spleen.

Background: A significant amount of research has been conducted to establish the validity of acupuncture, and it has been demonstrated through animal disease model studies that acupuncture influences mitochondrial changes. However, to more accurately examine the mechanisms of acupuncture treatment effectiveness in pathological models, it is crucial to investigate changes in disease-free animals. Among various hypotheses regarding the effects of acupuncture on the body, we focused on the result that acupuncture stimulation is related to mitochondria.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Profiles Associated with High-Fat Diet in Mice.

Obesity can be caused by microbes producing metabolites; it is thus important to determine the correlation between gut microbes and metabolites. This study aimed to identify gut microbiota-metabolomic signatures that change with a high-fat diet and understand the underlying mechanisms. To investigate the profiles of the gut microbiota and metabolites that changed after a 60% fat diet for 8 weeks, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomic analyses were performed.

Efficiency of magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing unstable ligament injuries around the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint: A comparison to arthroscopy.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of MRI in identifying ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), radial collateral ligament (RCL), and volar plate (VP) injuries of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) of the thumb by comparing with diagnostic arthroscopy.

Methods: A total of 56 consecutive patients (56 thumbs) who underwent arthroscopy of MCPJ of thumb were enrolled. MRI findings reviewed by consensus reading of two blinded radiologists were compared with arthroscopic examination.

Sonographic Quantification of Pronator Quadratus Activity During Gripping Effort.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to obtain quantitative data related to the activity of each head of the pronator quadratus based on dynamic sonographic parameters during gripping effort and to assess their relationships with grip and pronation strengths.

Methods: The forearms of 33 healthy volunteers were evaluated at 5 positions of axial rotation (full supination, 45° supination, neutral, 45° pronation, and full pronation). Echogenic intensity ratios and muscle thicknesses of each head of the pronator quadratus were measured from transverse cross-sectional sonograms obtained during maximal grip and release.

The Efficacy and Safety of Autologous Transfusion in Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Purpose: Although allogeneic blood transfusion is the most common method of transfusion in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), there are reports showing significant decrease in the amount of allogeneic transfusion and incidence of side effects after combined use of autologous transfusion. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of using an autologous transfusion device in TKA.

Materials And Methods: Patients who underwent TKA at our institution from January 2003 to January 2014 were divided into two groups: group A (n=127) who received allogeneic transfusion only in TKA and group B (n=118) who received autologous transfusion via an autologous transfusion device and allogeneic transfusion.

Arthroscopic Management of Scaphoid Nonunions.

The difficulty in healing scaphoid nonunions is challenged further by the dynamic, unstable nature of the fracture-fragment interface. Recently, several investigators have introduced a minimally invasive technique for scaphoid nonunion repair, which has the advantages of minimal morbidity and accurate articular reduction, resulting in less postoperative stiffness and increased functional outcomes. However, failure to recognize the critical steps during minimally invasive surgery can result in incorrect treatment or limit any chances for successful bone repair.

Soybean saponin inhibits tumor cell metastasis by modulating expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP- 2.

The antimetastatic properties of soybean saponin were investigated by evaluating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) production in HT-1080 cells. The mRNA expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined by RT-PCR analysis. The levels of secreted MMP-2, MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) were determined by gelatin zymography and/or ELISA.

Conversion of isoflavone glucosides to aglycones in soymilk by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria.

Four lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus paraplantarum KM, Enterococcus durans KH, Streptococcus salivarius HM and Weissella confusa JY, were isolated from humans and tested for their capabilities of converting isoflavone glucosides to aglycones in soymilk. Changes in growth, pH, and titratable acidity (TA) were investigated during fermentation at 37 degrees C for 12 h. After 6 to 9 h of fermentation, each population of 4 LAB reached 10(8) to 10(9) CFU/mL.

Soybean saponins suppress the release of proinflammatory mediators by LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages.

Proinflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins (PGs), nitric oxide (NO), certain inflammatory cytokines and chemokines play a pivotal role in tumor development. The anti-inflammatory properties of naturally occurring phytochemicals are associated with significant reduction in the risk of certain cancers in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the effects of soybean saponins on the production of proinflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages.

Antiproliferative crude soy saponin extract modulates the expression of IkappaBalpha, protein kinase C, and cyclooxygenase-2 in human colon cancer cells.

Frequent consumption of soy and soy-based products is associated with reduced cancer incidence particularly for breast, colon, and prostate cancer. In this study, we examined the effect of crude soy saponin extract on PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate)-induced inflammatory responses. Human adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29) were treated with various concentrations of saponin extract for 72 h.

The effect of herbal medicine on nerve growth factor in estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovaries in rats.

A type of polycystic ovary resembling some aspects of human polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can be induced in the rat with a single injection of long-acting estradiol valerate. Among several theories behind the development of polycystic ovaries (PCO), the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system draws much attention, and herbal medicine is known to relieve the abnormal symptoms of PCO. Two herbal formulas, Changbudodam-Tang (cang fu dao tan tang) and Yongdamsagan-Tang (long dan xie gan tang), were used in the present study.

Immunohistochemical localization of cyclooxygenase-2 in pregnant rat uterus by Sp-6 acupuncture.

As pregnancy advances, prostaglandins (PG) increase in the uterus, leading to elevated uterine contractility. Therefore, regulating the concentration of PG in the uterus can be a key factor for controlling the duration of labor. Since the synthesis of PGs in the uterus is catalyzed by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), devising a tool to regulate the expression of COX-2 could provide a method for treating complicated labor.