Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Induction of 6,7-Dehydroroyleanone from Bark Essential Oil in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the cytotoxicity of essential oil and its phytochemical on the Hep G2 cell line (human hepatocellular carcinoma). Bark essential oil has significant cytotoxicity to Hep G2 cells, and S3 fraction is the most active fraction in cytotoxicity to Hep G2 cells among the six fractions. The diterpenoid quinone, 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, was isolated from the active S3 fraction by bioassay-guided isolation.

Antimelanogenesis Effects of Leaf Extract and Phytochemicals from Ceylon Olive () in Zebrafish Model.

The melanogenesis inhibition effect in zebrafish () and antityrosinase activity of the ethanolic extract and its phytochemicals from Ceylon olive ( Linn.) leaves were investigated in this study. Among the leaf extract and four soluble fractions, the ethyl acetate soluble fraction exhibits the best antityrosinase and antimelanogenesis activities.

A triterpenoid-enriched extract of bitter melon leaves alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting inflammatory responses in carbon tetrachloride-treated mice.

Liver fibrosis is a progression of chronic liver disease characterized by excess deposition of fibrillary collagen. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of a triterpenoid-enriched extract (TEE) from bitter melon leaves against carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. Male ICR mice received TEE (100 or 150 mg kg) by daily oral gavage for one week before starting CCl administration and throughout the entire experimental period.

Evaluation of Motor Coordination and Antidepressant Activities of ct. Linalool Leaf Oil in Rodent Model.

plants (Lauraceae) are a woody species native to South and Southeast Asia forests, and are widely used as food flavors and traditional medicines. This study aims to evaluate the chemical constituents of ct. linalool leaf oil, and its antidepressant and motor coordination activities and the other behavioral evaluations in a rodent animal model.

Small nucleolar RNA of silkworm can translocate from the nucleolus to the cytoplasm under abiotic stress.

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are thought to be exclusively nuclear and guide nucleotide modifications of ribosomal RNAs. Recently, more and more evidence has suggested that the nucleolus is a stress sensor for changes in growth status and that snoRNAs may orchestrate the response to environmental stress through molecular interactions outside of the nucleus. We previously showed that a box C/D snoRNA Bm-15 had both nuclear and cytoplasmic location in BmN4 cell line of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Infants' Vitamin D Nutritional Status in the First Year of Life in Northern Taiwan.

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and insufficiency (VDI) are common among exclusively breastfeeding infants. However, epidemiological evidence for the prevalence of VDD in infants during their first year of life in Taiwan has never been found. This trial determined the prevalence of VDD and VDI and the association between dietary vitamin D and vitamin D nutritional status in Northern Taiwan.

Iron Status of Infants in the First Year of Life in Northern Taiwan.

Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) typically occur in developing countries. Notably, ID and IDA can affect an infant's emotion, cognition, and development. Breast milk is considered the best food for infants.

Association between Postpartum Nutritional Status and Postpartum Depression Symptoms.

Taiwanese women may practice traditional confinement after childbirth, and no study has investigated the nutritional status and the effects of postpartum depression on such women. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nutritional status and postpartum depression at 6-8 weeks postpartum. A cross-sectional study was conducted on postpartum women who returned to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic for routine examination from January 2016 to September 2017.

Ethanolic Extract of Suppresses -Induced Inflammatory Responses in Human Monocyte and Mouse Ear Edema Models.

Acne vulgaris (acne) is a common inflammatory skin disorder, and plays a major role in the development and progression of acne inflammation. Herbs possessing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity have been applied as a medical option for centuries. In this study, we examined the suppressive effect of ethanolic oregano () extract on live -induced in vivo and in vitro inflammation.

Taiwanese Green Propolis Ethanol Extract Delays the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats Treated with Streptozotocin/High-Fat Diet.

Taiwanese green propolis ethanol extract (TGPE) is produced only in Taiwan and has a different composition from other types of propolis. TGPE is known for its anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and anti-microbial properties, but the effects and mechanisms of TGPE in the modulation of diabetes are unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of TGPE on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a streptozotocin/high-fat-diet (STZ/HFD)-induced T2DM rat model.

Antilipotoxicity Activity of and Flower Extracts in Hepatocytes and Renal Glomerular Mesangial Cells.

The excess influx of free fatty acids (FFAs) into nonadipose tissues, such as those of liver and kidney, induces lipotoxicity leading to hepatic steatosis and renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of methanolic flower extracts of (OF) and (CM) against FFA-induced lipotoxicity in hepatocytes (human HepG2 cells) and renal glomerular mesangial cells (mouse SV40-Mes13 cells). The results showed that OF and CM significantly suppressed FFA-induced intracellular triacylglycerol accumulation via partially inhibiting the gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) in HepG2 cells.

Almonds ameliorate glycemic control in Chinese patients with better controlled type 2 diabetes: a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial.

Background: Almonds can decrease glycemic index of co-consumed foods and are a rich source for oleic acid and α-tocopherol. The aim of the randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial was to examine whether as compared to NCEP step II diet as control (CON), ~60 g/d almonds (ALM) added to CON would improve glucoregulation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 33 Chinese T2DM patients.

Methods: Forty T2DM patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive CON or ALM for 12 wks after a 2-wk.

Low-Level MHC Class II Expression Leads to Suboptimal Th Cell Response, Increased Autoaggression, and Heightened Cytokine Inducibility.

The development and activation of MHC class II (MHC-II)-restricted CD4 T cells are distinct immunological processes that are strictly MHC-II-dependent. To address their relative dependence on MHC-II, we established a novel ENU-induced mutant mouse on the C57BL/6 background, named I-A, with ∼8-fold reduced I-A expression on the surface of B cells, dendritic cells, cortical thymic epithelial cells, and medullary thymic epithelial cells. I-A and I-A mice are highly similar with respect to the numbers of double-positive thymocytes, CD4CD8 T cells, regulatory T cells, CD4 T cell marker expression, lifespan, and Th/regulatory T cell function.

An alternatively spliced IL-15 isoform modulates abrasion-induced keratinocyte activation.

In a routine phenotype-driven screen, we identified a point mutation in exon 7 of the IL-15 gene in Pedigree 191 (deficient memory (DM)) of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenized mice. The DM epidermis expressed an alternatively spliced IL-15 mRNA isoform, IL-15ΔE7, and a wild-type (WT) IL-15 isoform at comparable levels. Mechanical stimulation of DM skin or DM skin graft transplanted onto the WT host resulted in reduced keratinocyte activation and inhibition of neutrophil infiltration into the dermis, demonstrating that DM keratinocytes produced less inflammatory response to external stimulation.

Carotid intima-media thickness and plaque occurrence in predicting stable angiographic coronary artery disease.

Background: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque formation have been used as surrogate end-points for evaluating the regression and/or progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but their predictive value for stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is inconclusive.

Methods: Carotid ultrasonography was performed in patients who underwent noninvasive multislice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography for CAD suspected, due to chest pain. CIMT and plaque formation on the left and right common carotid arteries (CCAs), carotid bulb (CB), and proximal internal carotid arteries (ICAs) were evaluated, and the relationship between angiographic CAD, CIMT, and plaque formation was determined.

Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting outcomes of elective coronary artery bypass surgery.

The risks of surgery and its clinical outcome are of great importance for both patients and physicians when choosing coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery for coronary artery disease. The purpose of the current study was to clarify the relationship between serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and patient clinical outcome. Seventy-six eligible patients who underwent CABG were enrolled into the prospective study.

Viral load in blood is correlated with disease severity of neonatal coxsackievirus B3 infection: early diagnosis and predicting disease severity is possible in severe neonatal enterovirus infection.

We conducted a study during an outbreak of coxsackievirus B3 infection in 2005 and found that viral RNA could be detected in patients' blood specimens soon after the onset of fever, and the level of viral RNA was positively correlated with disease severity. Timely diagnosis is possible in severe neonatal enterovirus infection.

Coxsackievirus B3 in human milk.

Coxsackievirus B3 can cause severe neonatal disease with high mortality. We present the first report of detection of coxsackievirus B3 in the mothers' milk of 2 severely infected neonates by culture and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction is a rapid and sensitive tool to detect coxsackievirus B3 in breast milk within few hours.

Freeman-Sheldon syndrome: report of one case.

Freeman-Sheldon syndrome is a rare disorder, and the diagnosis is clinical by unusual facial features and skeletal abnormalities. It was first described by Freeman and Sheldon in 1938; since then, cases of Freeman-Sheldon syndrome have been reviewed extensively. There is genetic heterogeneity, but most cases are thought to be sporadic.

Prediction of severity of isolated aortic regurgitation by echocardiography: an aortic regurgitation index study.

Background: No single precise qualitative method is recommended for evaluating the severity of aortic regurgitation (AR). Quantitative methods for AR assessment are, typically, cumbersome and time-consuming. The purpose of this study was to develop a more comprehensive method for predicting the severity of AR.

Possible role of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins in the down-regulation of adipose obese mRNA expression in rats re-fed a high-fat diet.

The large amount of absorbed dietary lipid after feeding a high-fat diet is mainly transported as triacylglycerol (TG)-rich lipoproteins (TRL) in the post-prandial blood and is subsequently distributed to peripheral tissues including adipose and muscle tissues. An in vivo and an in vitro study were conducted to investigate the possible role of post-prandial TRL after high fat feeding in the regulation of obese (ob) gene expression. Adult male Wistar rats were fasted for 48 h and re-fed either a fat-free/high-carbohydrate diet or a high-fat diet for 2, 4, or 8 h and plasma glucose, insulin, TG, and leptin as well as ob mRNA expression in epididymal fat pads were examined.

Oculoauriculovertebral spectrum in an infant of diabetic mother.

This report concerns a neonatal case of oculoauriculovertebral spectrum born to a thirty-five years old preexisting diabetic mother. The clinical presentation included left atretic external auditory canal with pre-auricular skin tag, asymmetric hypoplastic left face, bilateral additional 13th ribs, left torticollis, micrognathia, and low hair line. The possible association of oculoauriculovertebral spectrum and maternal diabetes is discussed, and the literature is reviewed.

Connatal tuberculosis in a very premature infant.

Unlabelled: Connatal tuberculosis is increasing in incidence and the mortality and morbidity of this disease remains high. We report a 27-week-old, 896 g female premature infant who had mild respiratory distress syndrome after birth. She developed signs of infection, progressive pneumonia and atelectasis which did not respond to mechanical ventilation and antibiotics.