Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction of Ptaquiloside in Bracken Fern.

This study was conducted to determine the optimal boiling time to reduce ptaquiloside (PTA) and to carry out a risk assessment for PTA, a representative toxic substance found in bracken fern (BF; ), which is frequently consumed as food in East Asian countries. High-performance liquid chromatography showed that the concentration of PTA in BF was reduced by up to 99% after boiling for 20 min. Risk assessment results showed that the cancer margin of exposure (MOE; ≥ 25,000 = safe) to PTA for an average daily exposure scenario after boiling BF for 20 min was considered safe.

Gut metabolite trimethylamine -oxide induces aging-associated phenotype of midbrain organoids for the induced pluripotent stem cell-based modeling of late-onset disease.

Brain organoids are valuable research models for human development and disease since they mimic the various cell compositions and structures of the human brain; however, they have challenges in presenting aging phenotypes for degenerative diseases. This study analyzed the association between aging and the gut metabolite trimethylamine -oxide (TMAO), which is highly found in the midbrain of elderly and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. TMAO treatment in midbrain organoid induced aging-associated molecular changes, including increased senescence marker expression (), p53 accumulation, and epigenetic alterations.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Anesthesiology Residents: An Analysis of the National Westlaw Database.

Background: Medical specialties have evaluated malpractice claims in residents, but to the best of our knowledge, malpractice claims have not been evaluated in anesthesiology residents.

Methods: The Westlaw legal database was queried for all malpractice litigation cases involving anesthesiology residents in the United States from January 1959 through December 2018. The cases were divided into 2 cohorts by year (before and after 1990) to account for the differences in patient safety features and monitoring available in the different time periods.

Simplified Brain Organoids for Rapid and Robust Modeling of Brain Disease.

Although brain organoids are an innovative technique for studying human brain development and disease by replicating the structural and functional properties of the developing human brain, some limitations such as heterogeneity and long-term differentiation (over 2 months) impede their application in disease modeling and drug discovery. In this study, we established simplified brain organoids (simBOs), composed of mature neurons and astroglial cells from expandable hPSC-derived primitive neural stem cells (pNSCs). simBOs can be rapidly generated in 2 weeks and have more homogeneous properties.

Prospective associations between maternal stress during pregnancy and fasting glucose with obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

Objective: This prospective study investigated associations between maternal stress exposure and maternal psychological stress measures during pregnancy with obstetric and neonatal outcomes. We also tested whether any observed associations would be moderated by increasing glucose levels, as increased glycaemia is also associated with adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: 203 women between 24 and 30 weeks gestation completed validated questionnaires assessing pregnancy-related major events and major life events, maternal perceived stress, and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.

Risk Assessment of 5-Chloro-2-Methylisothiazol-3(2H)-One/2-Methylisothiazol-3(2H)-One (CMIT/MIT) Used as a Preservative in Cosmetics.

The mixture of 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT) and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (MIT), CMIT/MIT, is a preservative in cosmetics. CMIT/MIT is a highly effective preservative; however, it is also a commonly known skin sensitizer. Therefore, in the present study, a risk assessment for safety management of CMIT/MIT was conducted on products containing 0.

High-depth fluorescence imaging using a two-photon FRET system for mitochondrial pH in live cells and tissues.

We developed a fluorescent pH probe (1) capable of two-photon excitation and far-visible-emission based on FRET, composed of naphthalimide-piperazine-rhodamine. It exhibited a pH-dependent reversible and fast ratiometric fluorescence change in the rhodamine emission. Probe 1 was applied to image the pH perturbations of mitochondria in living cells and tissues.

Carboxylesterase-2-Selective Two-Photon Ratiometric Probe Reveals Decreased Carboxylesterase-2 Activity in Breast Cancer Cells.

Human carboxylesterase-2 (CE2) is a carboxylesterase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of endogenous and exogenous substrates. Abnormal CE2 levels are associated with various cancers, and CE2 is a key mediator of anticancer prodrugs, including irinotecan. Here, we developed a two-photon ratiometric probe for detecting CE2 activity using succinate ester as a recognition site for CE2.

Carboxylate-Containing Two-Photon Probe for the Simultaneous Detection of Extra- and Intracellular pH Values in Colon Cancer Tissue.

Acidified extracellular pH (pHe) is directly related to various disorders such as tumor invasion and the resistance to drugs. In this study, we developed two-photon-excitable emission ratiometric probes (XBH1-3) for the in situ measurement of pHe. These probes, based on benzimidazole and polar solubilizing groups, exhibited a strong two-photon-induced fluorescence and sensitive blue-to-green emission color changes with p K values of 5.

Antioxidative effects of diallyl trisulfide on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity through regulation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor-mediated thioredoxin reductase 1 expression in C2C12 skeletal muscle myoblast cells.

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is one of the major sulfur-containing compounds in garlic oil. In this study, we analyzed the effects of DATS against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts. DATS preconditioning significantly attenuated H2O2-induced growth inhibition and DNA damage, as well as apoptosis by decreasing the generation of ROS.

Stress exposure and psychological stress responses are related to glucose concentrations during pregnancy.

Objectives: The role of stress in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has so far been neglected. We investigated the impact of stress exposure (pregnancy-related and pregnancy-unrelated major life events), psychological stress responses (perceived stress, subjective experience of stress, anxiety, depression, sleep), and physiological stress responses (salivary cortisol, plasma copeptin levels) on glucose concentrations during pregnancy.

Design: Cross-sectional study, including 203 pregnant women at the maternity department of a Swiss university hospital.

An exploration of the antioxidant effects of garlic saponins in mouse-derived C2C12 myoblasts.

In this study, we aimed to confirm the protective effects of garlic saponins against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms in mouse-derived C2C12 myoblasts. Relative cell viability was determined by 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.

The cytoprotective effects of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone against oxidative stress are mediated by the upregulation of Nrf2-dependent HO-1 expression through the activation of the PI3K/Akt and ERK pathways in C2C12 myoblasts.

Recent studies have demonstrated that 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a newly identified tyrosine kinase receptor B agonist, is a potent antioxidant agent. The present study was designed to confirm the cytoprotective effects of 7,8-DHF against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms in C2C12 myoblasts. We found that 7,8-DHF attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced growth inhibition and exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) that were induced by H2O2.

The Cytoprotective Effect of Petalonia binghamiae Methanol Extract against Oxidative Stress in C2C12 Myoblasts: Mediation by Upregulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 and Nuclear Factor-Erythroid 2 Related Factor 2.

This study was designed to examine the protective effects of the marine brown algae Petalonia binghamiae against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. P. binghamiae methanol extract (PBME) prevented hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced growth inhibition and exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by H2O2 in mouse-derived C2C12 myoblasts.

Sargassum horneri methanol extract rescues C2C12 murine skeletal muscle cells from oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity through Nrf2-mediated upregulation of heme oxygenase-1.

Background: Sargassum horneri, an edible marine brown alga, is typically distributed along the coastal seas of Korea and Japan. Although several studies have demonstrated the anti-oxidative activity of this alga, the regulatory mechanisms have not yet been defined. The aim of the present study was to examine the cytoprotective effects of S.

Nrf2-mediated HO-1 induction contributes to antioxidant capacity of a Schisandrae Fructus ethanol extract in C2C12 myoblasts.

This study was designed to confirm the protective effect of Schisandrae Fructus, which are the dried fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in C2C12 myoblasts. Preincubating C2C12 cells with a Schisandrae Fructus ethanol extract (SFEE) significantly attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced inhibition of growth and induced scavenging activity against intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by H2O2.

Schisandrae semen essential oil attenuates oxidative stress-induced cell damage in C2C12 murine skeletal muscle cells through Nrf2‑mediated upregulation of HO‑1.

The aim of the present study was to examine the cytoprotective effects of Schisandrae semen essential oil (SSeo), purified from Schisandrae fructus, against oxidative stress-induced cell damage in C2C12 myoblasts. SSeo attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced growth inhibition and exhibited scavenging activity against the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) that were induced by H2O2. SSeo also inhibited comet tail formation, chromatin condensation and phosphor-histone γH2A.

A Web-based health promotion program for patients with metabolic syndrome.

Purpose: The population of metabolic syndrome is increasing in Korea. The prevalence is related to lifestyle, such as lack of physical activity and irregular diet. Most patients with metabolic syndrome know that lifestyle intervention is important to managing the condition.

Incontinence pad usage in medical welfare facilities in Korea.

Purpose: The prevalence of urinary incontinence and the usage of incontinence pads by elderly residents in Korean medical welfare facilities were investigated.

Methods: From a total of 1,832 facilities, 33 medical welfare facilities in the capital area were randomly selected; all nursing homes were excluded. All data were collected by questionnaires to investigate the residents' age and sex, the presence or absence of urinary incontinence, incontinence pad usage per month, and management methods for urinary incontinence.

Proteomic analysis of microvesicles derived from human colorectal cancer ascites.

The presence of malignant ascites in the peritoneal cavity is a poor prognostic indicator of low survival rate. Various cancer cells, including those of colorectal cancer (CRC), release microvesicles (exosomes) into surrounding tissues and peripheral circulation including malignant ascites. Although recent progress has revealed that microvesicles play multiple roles in tumor progression, the protein composition and the pathological function of malignant ascites-derived microvesicles are still unknown.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in elderly Koreans.

This study was conducted to investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and the lipid profile among elderly Koreans. A total of 462 subjects (mean age 66.

Effects of Meridian acupressure for stroke patients in Korea.

Aim: To examine the effects of Meridian acupressure on the functions of affected upper extremities, activity of daily living and depression for stroke patients.

Background: The handicaps of stroke patients necessitate multidisciplinary rehabilitation, which is aimed at decreasing the consequences of the illness in daily functions. In traditional Chinese medicine, Meridian acupressure has been used for rehabilitation of affected upper extremities of hemiplegia stroke patients in clinical practice.

Citicoline protects against cognitive impairment in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Background And Purpose: Cerebral white matter (WM) lesions are frequently observed in human cerebrovascular diseases, and are believed to be responsible for cognitive impairment. Various neuroprotective agents can suppress this type of WM or neuronal damage. In this study, we investigated whether citicoline, a drug used to treat acute ischemic stroke, can attenuate WM lesions and cognitive decline caused by chronic hypoperfusion in the rat.

Global proteomic profiling of native outer membrane vesicles derived from Escherichia coli.

Gram-negative bacteria constitutively secrete native outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) into the extracellular milieu. Although recent progress in this area has revealed that OMVs are essential for bacterial survival and pathogenesis, the mechanism of vesicle formation and the biological roles of OMVs have not been clearly defined. Using a proteomics approach, we identified 141 protein components of Escherichia coli-derived native OMVs with high confidence; two separate analyses yielded identifications of 104 and 117 proteins, respectively, with 80 proteins overlapping between the two trials.

Two enzymes in one; two yeast peroxiredoxins display oxidative stress-dependent switching from a peroxidase to a molecular chaperone function.

Although a great deal is known biochemically about peroxiredoxins (Prxs), little is known about their real physiological function. We show here that two cytosolic yeast Prxs, cPrxI and II, which display diversity in structure and apparent molecular weights (MW), can act alternatively as peroxidases and molecular chaperones. The peroxidase function predominates in the lower MW forms, whereas the chaperone function predominates in the higher MW complexes.