Application of preoperative fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT parameters for predicting prognosis of high-grade neuroendocrine cervical cancer.

Objective: High-grade neuroendocrine cervical cancer (HGNECC) is a rare and aggressive cervical cancer subtype. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography (CT) parameters for HGNECC.

Materials And Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 29 patients with HGNECC who underwent fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT scan followed by surgery between 2006 and 2016.

Functional Characterization of Exonic Variants of the PPARGC1B Gene in Coregulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 beta (PPARGC1B) is a coactivator of estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ. We previously demonstrated a significant association between a variant of exon 5 of the PPARGC1B gene (+102525 G>A, R265Q) and airway hyperreactivity (AHR). The aims of the study were to evaluate the genetic effects of variants of the PPARGC1B gene on the function of ERs.

Long-Term Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Airway Inflammation and Remodeling in a Mouse Model.

Purpose: Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) can induce and trigger airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term DEP exposure on AHR, inflammation, lung fibrosis, and goblet cell hyperplasia in a mouse model.

Methods: BALB/c mice were exposed to DEPs 1 hour a day for 5 days a week for 3 months in a closed-system chamber attached to a ultrasonic nebulizer (low dose: 100 μg/m³ DEPs, high dose: 3 mg/m³ DEPs).

[Mothers' parenting experience of premature infants: Q methodological approach].

Purpose: This study was done to identify the parenting experience of mothers of premature infants in order to provide basic data for educational solutions and desirable directions.

Methods: Q-methodology was used as it provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item. The participants were 33 mothers of premature infants who sorted 34 selected Q-statements which were then classified into the shape of a normal distribution using a 9-point scale.

Ethanol extract of Cnidium officinale exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells by suppressing NF-κB nuclear translocation and the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Chronic microglial activation endangers neuronal survival through the release of various toxic pro-inflammatory molecules; thus, negative regulators of microglial activation have been identified as potential therapeutic candidates for several neurological diseases. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of an ethanol extract of Cnidium officinale rhizomes (EECO), which has been used as a herbal drug in Oriental medicine, on the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), as well as that of pro-inflammatory cytokines in BV2 microglia cells. EECO significantly inhibited the excess production of NO and PGE₂ in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia cells.

Induction of human leukemia U937 cell apoptosis by an ethanol extract of Dendropanax morbifera Lev. through the caspase-dependent pathway.

Dendropanax morbifera Leveille is found throughout southwestern Korea, and has been used in traditional medicine for various diseases, such as migraine headache, infectious diseases, skin diseases and dysmenorrhea. However, the molecular mechanisms of D. morbifera concerning its biochemical actions in cancer have not yet been clearly elucidated.

The search for genetic variants and epigenetics related to asthma.

For the past two decades, a huge number of genetic studies have been conducted to identify the genetic variants responsible for asthma risk. Several types of genetic and genomic approaches, including linkage analysis, candidate gene single nucleotide polymorphism studies, and whole genome-wide association studies have been applied. In this review article, the results of these approaches are summarized, and their limitations are discussed.

Mesenchymal stem cell transfer suppresses airway remodeling in a toluene diisocyanate-induced murine asthma model.

Purpose: Severe asthma is characterized by high medication requirements to maintain good disease control or by persistent symptoms despite high medication use. The transfer of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMDMSCs) to the injured lungs is a possible treatment for severe asthma. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of BMDMSCs in airway remodeling and inflammation in an experimental toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma animal model of severe asthma.

A promoter SNP rs4073T>A in the common allele of the interleukin 8 gene is associated with the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via the IL-8 protein enhancing mode.

Background: Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent chemo-attractant cytokine responsible for neutrophil infiltration in lungs with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The IL-8 protein and mRNA expression are increased in the lung with IPF. We evaluated the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL-8 gene on the risk of IPF.

Association analysis of RGS7BP gene polymorphisms with aspirin intolerance in asthmatic patients.

Background: Signal-regulated palmitoylation of RGS7BP(regulator of G-protein-signaling 7-binding protein) initiates the activation of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including muscarinic receptors, which contribute to the development of asthma and its subphenotypes.

Objective: To determine the association of RGS7BP gene polymorphisms with the development of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD).

Methods: We evaluated the association of RGS7BP gene polymorphisms with response to oral aspirin challenge and with responsiveness to methacholine challenge.

The association of a single-nucleotide polymorphism of the IL-2 inducible T-cell Kinase gene with asthma.

Asthma manifests as TH2-dominant airway inflammation regulated by inducible T-cell kinase (ITK). To investigate associations between genetic variants of the ITK gene and asthma, 31 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 303 normal controls and 498 asthmatics and the two groups were compared using logistic regression models. The functional effects of the ITK promoter SNP were assessed using pGL3 luciferase reporter systems and gel-shift assays.

Relationship between group-specific component protein and the development of asthma.

Rationale: Airway inflammation and remodeling during asthma are attributed to the altered expression of biologically relevant proteins.

Objectives: To search for asthma-specific proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) from individuals with asthma and to validate the identified proteins in an experimental model of asthma.

Methods: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was performed to identify proteins in BAL fluid found by two dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) to be differentially expressed in subjects with asthma versus control subjects.

Association analysis of N-acetyl transferase-2 polymorphisms with aspirin intolerance among asthmatics.

Aims: Cysteinyl leukotrienes are inactivated by acetyl coenzyme A-dependent N-acetyltransferase (NAT). Thus, functional alterations of the NAT gene may contribute to the risk of aspirin-intolerant asthma.

Materials & Methods: Asthmatics (n = 438) were categorized into aspirin-intolerant asthma (15% or greater decrease in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s or cutaneous reactions, n = 170) or aspirin-tolerant asthma (n = 268) groups.

Association between colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor gene polymorphisms and asthma risk.

Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) is expressed in monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells. These cells play important roles in the innate immune response, which is regarded as an important aspect of asthma development. Genetic alterations in the CSF1R gene may contribute to the development of asthma.

Role of lung apolipoprotein A-I in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: antiinflammatory and antifibrotic effect on experimental lung injury and fibrosis.

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is caused by alterations in expression of proteins involved in multiple pathways, including matrix deposition, inflammation, injury, and repair.

Objectives: To understand the pathogenic changes in lung protein expression in IPF and to evaluate apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I as a candidate therapeutic molecule.

Methods: Two-dimensional electrophoresis was adopted for differential display proteomics.

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.

Blockade of airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness by inhibition of BLT2, a low-affinity leukotriene B4 receptor.

BLT2 is a low-affinity receptor for leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)), a potent lipid mediator of inflammation generated from arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Unlike BLT1, a high-affinity receptor for LTB(4), no clear physiological function has yet been identified for BLT2, especially with regard to the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate whether BLT2 plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of telomerase activity in human lung carcinoma cells by the water extract of Cordyceps militaris.

Cordyceps militaris is well known as a traditional medicinal mushroom and is a potentially interesting candidate for use in cancer treatment. In this study, the potential of the water extract of C. militaris (WECM) to induce apoptosis in human lung carcinoma A549 cells and its effects on telomerase activity were investigated.

Induction of apoptosis in human leukemia U937 cells by anthocyanins through down-regulation of Bcl-2 and activation of caspases.

Anthocyanins are a class of flavonoids, widely spread throughout the plant kingdom, that exhibit important anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions as well as chemotherapeutic effects. However, little is known concerning the molecular mechanisms by which these activities are exerted. In this study, we investigated the anthocyanins isolated from Vitis coignetiae Pulliat for their potential anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on human leukemia U937 cells.

Gamma-secretase inhibitor reduces allergic pulmonary inflammation by modulating Th1 and Th2 responses.

Rationale: Gamma-secretase inhibitor (GSI) has been used to effectively block Notch signaling, which is implicated in the differentiation and functional regulation of T helper (Th) effector cells. In asthma, a subset of CD4(+) T cells is believed to initiate and perpetuate the disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of GSI against allergic asthma.

Involvement of extracellular signal-related kinase signaling in esculetin induced G1 arrest of human leukemia U937 cells.

This study was conducted to further elucidate the possible mechanisms by which esculetin, a coumarin compound, exerts its anti-proliferative action on cultured human monocytic leukemia U937 cells. The inhibitory effects of esculetin on cell viability were found to be associated with a G1 arrest in cell cycle progression that was concomitant with an inhibition of cyclin E and an induction of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21/WAF1/CIP1 in a p53-independent manner. Cells that were treated with esculetin showed increased binding of p21 with Cdk2 and Cdk4 that was paralleled by a marked decrease in the Cdk2 and Cdk4 kinase activities with no change in their expression.

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.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling for the relationship between glucose-lowering effect and plasma concentration of metformin in volunteers.

Metformin is a biguanide antihyperglycemic agent often used for the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetics (NIDDM). In this study, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of metformin were investigated in Korean healthy volunteers during a fasting state for over 10 h. In order to evaluate the amount of glucose-lowering effect of metformin, the plasma concentrations of glucose were measured for a period of 10 h followed by the administration of metformin (oral 500 mg) or placebo.