Clinical efficacy of sentinel lymph node biopsy using methylene blue dye in clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has recently been used to detect occult lymph node metastases. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and clinical efficacy of SLNB in the treatment of clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 114 consecutive patients with clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma were enrolled and underwent SLNB.

Melatonin suppresses acrolein-induced IL-8 production in human pulmonary fibroblasts.

Cigarette smoke (CS) causes harmful alterations in the lungs and airway structures and functions that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to COPD, active cigarette smoking causes other respiratory diseases and diminishes health status. Furthermore, recent studies show that, α, β-unsaturated aldehyde acrolein in CS induces the production of interleukin (IL)-8, which is known to be related to bronchitis, rhinitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma.

Up-regulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 by Korean Red Ginseng Water Extract as a Cytoprotective Effect in Human Endothelial Cells.

Korean red ginseng (KRG) is used worldwide as a popular traditional herbal medicine. KRG has shown beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension. Up-regulation of a cytoprotective protein, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, is considered to augment the cellular defense against various agents that may induce cytotoxic injury.

Hepatic control elements promote long-term expression of human coagulation factor IX gene in hydrodynamically transfected mice.

Background: Long-term expression of the delivered target gene is critical for successful gene therapy. Recently, hepatic control region I (HCR I) originating from the apolipoprotein (apo)C-I pseudogene was shown to be a critical element for long-term gene expression in the liver of mice. HCR II is another hepatic control region of apoC-I.

MicroRNA and gene expression analysis of melatonin-exposed human breast cancer cell lines indicating involvement of the anticancer effect.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that play a crucial role in regulation of gene expression. Recent studies have shown that miRNAs implicated in initiation and progression of various human cancers, including breast cancer and also analysis of miRNA expression profiles in cancer provide new insights into potential mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is synthesized by the pineal gland in response to the dark/light cycle and has been known to act as a synchronizer of the biological clock.

Fisetin induces Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression through PKC-δ and p38 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Fisetin is a natural flavonoid from fruits and vegetables that exhibits antioxidant, neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects in various disease models. Up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression protects against oxidative stress-induced cell death, and therefore, plays a crucial role in cytoprotection in a variety of pathological models. In the present study, we investigated the effect of fisetin on the up-regulation of HO-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Rosmarinic acid attenuates 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin diseases, and its incidence is increasing in industrialized countries. Furthermore, the epicutaneous application of a hapten, such as 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), evokes an AD-like lesion in NC/Nga mice under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a secondary metabolite that is frequently found in herbs, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial effects.

Gelation of chitin and chitosan dispersed suspensions under electric field: effect of degree of deacetylation.

Herein, the effect of the degree of deacetylation (DD) on the gelation of the chitosan dispersed suspension as an electrorheological (ER) fluid under an electric field is presented. The fluids were prepared by dispersing the chitin and the chitosan particles having various DDs into silicone oil, and they were evaluated under various electric fields. The alignment of chitosan particles in the fluid was also observed using an optical microscope under the electric field.

Association between metabolic syndrome and estimated glomerular filtration rate in older Koreans based on data from the third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Aim: To examine the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and renal function in older Koreans.

Methods: A total of 1270 people aged 60 years and older who participated in the third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in this study.

Results: After adjusting for confounding factors, central obesity, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting glucose were significantly associated with decreased renal function in men.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) A1 activated currents in TRPV1 and cholecystokinin-sensitive cranial visceral afferent neurons.

Culinary use of the pungent spices has potential health benefits including a reduction in food intake. Pungent spices often contain ingredients that activate members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family A1 and evoke pain from capsaicin-sensitive somatosensory neurons. TRPA1 channel have also been identified on cranial visceral afferent neurons but their distribution and functional contributions are poorly understood.

Development of an acute obstructive hydrocephalus model in rats using N-butyl cyanoacrylate.

Purpose: Previous animal models of obstructive hydrocephalus that was frequently combined with subarachnoid inflammation are not suitable for investigating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow between ventricles and cisterns in obstructive hydrocephalus. In this study, we attempted to develop a new animal model for obstructive hydrocephalus in rats sparing subarachnoid space using N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA).

Methods: Hydrocephalus was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with NBCA (n=15) or with kaolin (n=10).

Effect of Perilla frutescens var. acuta Kudo and rosmarinic acid on allergic inflammatory reactions.

Allergy is characterized by an overreaction of the immune system. Perilla frutescens leaf extract has been reported to exhibit antiallergic inflammatory activity. To investigate precisely the effect and mechanism of 30% ethanol extract powder of P.

Upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 as an adaptive mechanism for protection against crotonaldehyde in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Crotonaldehyde, a highly reactive α, β-unsaturated aldehyde, is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and a product of endogenous lipid peroxidation. It is also a major component of cigarette smoke and is present in many foods and beverages, and has also been linked to development of various diseases. Activation of endothelial cells by stimuli such as cigarette smoke is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis.

α-Lipoic acid suppresses the development of DNFB-induced atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease that has complex pathogenic mechanisms. Under specific pathogen-free conditions, repeated epicutaneous treatment of 2-4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) evokes AD-like clinical symptoms in NC/Nga mice. α-Lipoic acid (α-LA; 1, 2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid) is a dietary component that is synthesized in bacteria, yeast, plants, and mammals.

A survey of Cryptosporidium oocysts in water supplies during a 10-year period (2000-2009) in Seoul.

This study has been conducted to estimate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in water supplies in the Metropolitan area of Seoul, South Korea, for 10 years from 2000 to 2009. Water samples were collected quarterly at 6 intakes in the Han River and its largest stream and 6 conventional Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) serving drinking water for 10 million people of Seoul. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 22.

Arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cysts: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging results.

Purpose: This study examined the functional and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes of popliteal cysts with combined intra-articular pathologies that were treated arthroscopically by decompression and a cystectomy through an additional posteromedial cystic portal.

Methods: From January 2003 to March 2008, 31 patients were treated with a modified arthroscopic technique to decompress a popliteal cyst. The connecting valvular mechanism was found in all cases at the posteromedial compartment through the anterolateral viewing portal, and it was corrected by resecting the capsular fold through the posteromedial working portal.

Impact of instructor and course characteristics on the effectiveness of curriculum infusion.

Objective: This study assessed the impact of Curriculum Infusion (CI) on undergraduates' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. The related effects of students' perceptions of instructors' credibility and immediacy were also examined.

Participants: Participants were 309 undergraduates enrolled in 14 CI classes between Winter 2003 and Spring 2004.

Prognosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome presenting as cranial polyneuropathy.

Objectives/hypothesis: Ramsay Hunt syndrome is known to be accompanied with cranial polyneuropathy very occasionally. We reviewed our experience to analyze the clinical manifestations and prognosis of these cases.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

The histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A, inhibits the development of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

Repetitive skin contact with a chemical hapten like 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) evokes an atopic dermatitis (AD)-like dermatitis reaction in NC/Nga mice maintained under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions. The histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), modulates the expression of several genes by inhibiting the activity of HDACs. Furthermore, TSA has been reported to suppress inflammatory cytokine expression and to induce T cell-suppression by increasing regulatory T cell (T reg cell) numbers.

Extracts from Citrus unshiu promote immune-mediated inhibition of tumor growth in a murine renal cell carcinoma model.

Aim Of This Study: Citrus unshiu (Satsuma mandarin, SM) is a citrus fruit the peel of which has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat common cold, relieve exhaustion, and cancer. In this study, we examined how effectively the content and peel extracts of SM can suppress cancer growth. The mechanism underlying cancer-suppressing properties of SM was investigated in tumor-bearing mice with renal carcinoma cell, Renca.

Structural flexibility and the positive charges are the key factors in bacterial cell selectivity and membrane penetration of peptoid-substituted analog of Piscidin 1.

Piscidin 1 (Pis-1) is a novel cytotoxic peptide with a cationic alpha-helical structure isolated from the mast cells of hybrid striped bass. In our previous study, we showed that Pis-1[PG] with a substitution of Pro(8) for Gly(8) in Pis-1 had higher bacterial cell selectivity than Pis-1. We designed peptoid residue-substituted peptide, Pis-1[NkG], in which Gly(8) of Pis-1 was replaced with Nlys (Lys peptoid residue).

Impact of curriculum infusion on college students' drinking behaviors.

Objective: A posttest-only experimental design was used to examine the effectiveness of curriculum infusion (CI) in reducing alcohol consumption and associated negative consequences among college students.

Methods: Faculty teaching 2 identical courses during the same quarter were recruited; both classes were randomly assigned to either a treatment or control group, and alcohol information was infused into the treatment classes in addition to the regular curriculum.

Participants: A diverse group of 343 undergraduate students participated, with 179 students in the treatment classes and 164 in the control classes.

TNF-α is a key regulator of MUC1, an anti-inflammatory molecule, during airway Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Muc1 is a heterodimeric mucin that is expressed on the apical surface of airway epithelial cells as well as hematopoietic cells. Both in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that Muc1 suppresses inflammatory responses induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). In this study, we sought to determine, using intact animals (C57BL/6 mice), whether the expression of Muc1 is important during airway PA infection, and how Muc1 levels are controlled during inflammation.

Preparation and functional analysis of recombinant protein transduction domain-metallothionein fusion proteins.

In order for proteins to be used as pharmaceuticals, delivery technologies need to be developed to overcome biochemical and anatomical barriers to protein drug transport, to protect proteins from systemic degradation, and to target the drug action to specific sites. Protein transduction domains (PTDs) are used for the non-specific transduction of bio-active cargo, such as proteins, genes, and particles, through cellular membranes to overcome biological barriers. Metallothionein (MT) is a low molecular weight intra-cellular protein that consists of 61 amino acids, including 20 cysteine residues, and is over-expressed under stressful conditions.

Leukemia-specific siRNA delivery by immunonanoplexes consisting of anti-JL1 minibody conjugated to oligo-9 Arg-peptides.

Targeted mRNA degradation by short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) offers a great potential to treat cancers. siRNA therapeutics for leukemias are, however, hindered by poor intracellular uptake, limited blood stability and nonspecific delivery. To solve these problems, we developed an anti-JL1 immunonanoplex (antibody-coupled nanocomplex) for siRNA delivery using anti-JL1 minibody (leukemia cell-specific minibody) conjugated to oligo-9-Arg peptide (9R) for effective siRNA delivery to leukemic cells.