Immune Regulation and Immune Therapy in Melanoma: Review with Emphasis on CD155 Signalling.

Melanoma is commonly diagnosed in a younger population than most other solid malignancies and, in Australia and most of the world, is the leading cause of skin-cancer-related death. Melanoma is a cancer type with high immunogenicity; thus, immunotherapies are used as first-line treatment for advanced melanoma patients. Although immunotherapies are working well, not all the patients are benefitting from them.

Feasibility of training using full immersion virtual reality video game in young stroke survivor: A case report.

Background: With the recent developments in science, full-immersion virtual reality devices have been developed, which may have feasibility for stroke rehabilitation.

Objective: This case report investigated the feasibility of training using a full-immersion virtual reality video game for improving motor function, balance, and gait in a young stroke survivor.

Method: The case was a 27-year-old woman with stroke.

Threonyl-tRNA Synthetase Promotes T Helper Type 1 Cell Responses by Inducing Dendritic Cell Maturation and IL-12 Production an NF-κB Pathway.

Threonyl-tRNA synthetase (TRS) is an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase that catalyzes the aminoacylation of tRNA by transferring threonine. In addition to an essential role in translation, TRS was extracellularly detected in autoimmune diseases and also exhibited pro-angiogenetic activity. TRS is reported to be secreted into the extracellular space when vascular endothelial cells encounter tumor necrosis factor-α.

IL-33 changes CD25 Tregs to Th17 cells through a dendritic cell-mediated pathway.

Interleukin (IL)-33 is an alarmin factor that is highly secreted in a variety of autoimmune diseases, induces maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and differentiation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells. As the balance between Th17 cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) is important to maintain immune homeostasis, in this study, we investigated the effects of IL-33 on Treg cell response. We observed that direct treatment with IL-33 had no effect on Treg differentiation, whereas IL-33-matured DCs (IL33-matDCs) inhibited the differentiation of CD4 T cells to Tregs by decreasing the expression of Foxp3.

NLRP3 negatively regulates Treg differentiation through Kpna2-mediated nuclear translocation.

Naïve CD4 T cells in the periphery differentiate into regulatory T cells (Tregs) in which Foxp3 is expressed for their suppressive function. NLRP3, a pro-inflammatory molecule, is known to be involved in inflammasome activation associated with several diseases. Recently, the expression of NLRP3 in CD4 T cells, as well as in myeloid cells, has been described; however, a role of T cell-intrinsic NLRP3 in Treg differentiation remains unknown.

Development of a wheeled walker braking device using the four-bar mechanism.

The elderly population in many countries has been rising rapidly, and falls are a serious event many elderly people experience. Assistive equipment is actively used to reduce falls among elderly people. Popular types of assistive equipment include canes, electric wheelchairs, and wheeled walkers.

Hybrid Beamforming for Reduction of Inter-Beam Interference in Millimeter-Wave Cellular Systems.

In millimeter-wave (mm-wave) cellular systems, beamforming antennas are necessary at both the base station () and mobile station () to compensate for high attenuation in mm-wave frequency bands and to extend the transmission range. The beamforming antennas also allow each to serve a number of s simultaneously, providing a substantial gain in system capacity. In space-division multiple access (SDMA) systems, the challenge is the inter-beam interference (IBI) caused by adjacent beams that are formed by the in the same cell and in neighboring cells.

IL-33-matured dendritic cells promote Th17 cell responses via IL-1β and IL-6.

IL-33 is associated with a variety of autoimmune diseases, such as sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Although IL-33 is mainly involved in the induction of Th2 cells, however, the relationship between IL-33 and Th17 cells is still largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of IL-33 on DC-mediated CD4 T cell activation and Th17 cell differentiation because DCs are essential cells for presenting self-antigens to CD4 T cells in autoimmune disease conditions.

l-Asparaginase-mediated downregulation of c-Myc promotes 1,25(OH) D -induced myeloid differentiation in acute myeloid leukemia cells.

Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) largely depends on chemotherapy, but current regimens have been unsatisfactory for long-term remission. Although differentiation induction therapy utilizing 1,25(OH) D (VD3) has shown great promise for the improvement of AML treatment efficacy, severe side effects caused by its supraphysiological dose limit its clinical application. Here we investigated the combinatorial effect of l-asparaginase (ASNase)-mediated amino acid depletion and the latent alternation of VD3 activity on the induction of myeloid differentiation.

Costunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, inhibits the differentiation of pro-inflammatory CD4 T cells through the modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases.

CD4 T cell activation and adequate differentiation into effector T helper (Th) cells are crucial for mediating adaptive immune responses to cope with foreign pathogens. Despite the significant role of Th cells, excessive increases in their numbers result in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of costunolide, a plant-derived natural compound with an anti-inflammatory activity, in regulating Th cells and the underlying mechanisms.

5-diphenylacetamido-indirubin-3'-oxime as a novel mitochondria-targeting agent with anti-leukemic activities.

Current treatment for leukemia largely depends on chemotherapy. Despite the progress in treatment efficacy of chemotherapy, a poor outcome consequent upon chemoresistance against conventional anti-cancer drugs still remains to be solved. In this study, we report 5-diphenylacetamido-indirubin-3'-oxime (LDD398) as a novel mitochondria-targeting anti-leukemic agent, which is a derivative of indirubin used in traditional medicine.

Luteolin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Luteolin is a common flavonoid that exists in medicinal herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Luteolin has biochemical functions including anti-allergy, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer functions. However, its efficacy and precise mode of action against breast cancer are still under study.

Luteolin induces intrinsic apoptosis via inhibition of E6/E7 oncogenes and activation of extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways in HPV-18-associated cells.

Luteolin, a flavonoid extracted from a number of plants with recognized anticancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities, inhibits angiogenic processes and modulates multidrug resistance. However, the efficacy and mechanisms of action of this flavonoid agent are still undergoing study. In order to elucidate whether luteolin exhibits an anticancer effect in cervical cancer cells, HeLa cells were incubated with luteolin and apoptosis was assessed by observing nuclear morphological changes, and performing Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) staining.

Interleukin-32δ interacts with IL-32β and inhibits IL-32β-mediated IL-10 production.

There is growing evidence for multifunctional properties of IL-32. We previously demonstrated that IL-32β upregulates IL-10 production through the association with PKCδ. In this study, we examined the effects of other IL-32 isoforms on IL-10 production.

Interaction network mapping among IL-32 isoforms.

IL-32 has been studied for its pleiotropic effects ranging from host immune responses to cell differentiation. Although several IL-32 isoforms have been characterized for their effects on cells, the roles of the others remain unclear. We previously reported that IL-32δ interacted with IL-32β and inhibited IL-32β-mediated IL-10 production.

Interleukin-32δ interacts with IL-32β and inhibits IL-32β-mediated IL-10 production.

There is growing evidence for multifunctional properties of IL-32. We previously demonstrated that IL-32β upregulates IL-10 production through the association with PKCδ. In this study, we examined the effects of other IL-32 isoforms on IL-10 production.

Luteolin 8-C-β-fucopyranoside inhibits invasion and suppresses TPA-induced MMP-9 and IL-8 via ERK/AP-1 and ERK/NF-κB signaling in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) play major roles in tumor progression and invasion of breast cancer cells. The present study was undertaken to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of cell invasion by luteolin 8-C-β-fucopyranoside (named as LU8C-FP), a C-glycosylflavone, in human breast cancer cells. We investigated whether LU8C-FP would inhibit MMP-9 activation and IL-8 expression in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer screening in Korean workers: using a stage model approach to examine the ecological predictors of behavior.

Background: Early detection is important for reducing mortality by colorectal cancer. Workplaces have access to a large number of people, approximately half of the Korean population. For cancer prevention, it is necessary to approach cancer screening through the workplace.

Factors associated with needlestick and sharp injuries among hospital nurses: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

Background: The current status of needlestick or sharp injuries of hospital nurses and factors associated with the injuries have not been systematically examined with representative registered nurse samples in South Korea.

Objective: To examine the incidence to needlestick or sharp injuries and identify the factors associated with such injuries among hospital nurses in South Korea.

Design, Settings And Participants: A cross-sectional survey of hospital nurses in South Korea.

MMHD [(S,E)-2-methyl-1-(2-methylthiazol-4-yl) hexa-1,5-dien-ol], a novel synthetic compound derived from epothilone, suppresses nuclear factor-kappaB-mediated cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglia.

The effects of MMHD [(S,E)-2-methyl-1-(2-methylthiazol-4-yl) hexa-1,5-dien-ol], a novel synthetic compound derived from epothilone, was investigated for its effects on the expression of proinflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglia. MMHD attenuated the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein without affecting cell viability. Moreover, MMHD suppressed nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation via the translocation of p65 into the nucleus.

Unwanted effects of risk notification for breast cancer regarding intention toward mammography utilization.

Objective: This study was conducted to explore the possible influence of risk notification regarding breast cancer on the intention of women to undergo mammography.

Methods: This study employed an uncontrolled before-after design. A baseline survey was conducted in a random sample of 1000 women to examine the sociodemographic variables, breast cancer risk factors, and screening-related variables.

[The relationship between optimistic bias about health crisis and health behavior].

Purpose: This study was performed to identify the relationship between optimistic bias about health crisis and health behavior of Korean adults in a crisis of health, and to prepare baseline data for developing a health education and promotion program.

Methods: Study subjects were 595 adults aged from 19 to 64 who live in Korea. Data were collected through questionnaires administered by one interviewer.