CaMKII regulates pericyte loss in the retina of early diabetic mouse.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is an essential mediator in diabetic vascular lesions and known to be regulated by activation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). The aim of this study was to investigate whether CaMKII affects iNOS-mediated pericyte death in the retina of diabetic mice with early stage disease. Total- and phospho-CaMKII, iNOS, and active caspase-3 protein levels were assessed by Western blotting, and CaMKII activity was measured by kinase assay.

Optimum first-line treatment technique for benign cystic thyroid nodules: ethanol ablation or radiofrequency ablation?

Objective: The purpose of this article is to compare the efficacy and safety of ethanol ablation and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) used as treatment of benign cystic thyroid nodules.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-seven patients (44 women and 13 men) with benign cystic nodules (cystic portions > 90%) inducing pressure symptoms or cosmetic problems were treated with ethanol ablation (n = 36) or RFA (n = 21). Ethanol ablation was performed using 16- or 18-gauge needles with 95-99% ethanol, and RFA used a cooled-electrode RFA system and 17- or 18-gauge internally cooled electrodes.

Ethanol down regulates the expression of myelin proteolipid protein in the rat hippocampus.

It is well known that chronic ethanol treatment affects the synthesis of RNA and protein in the brain and the maintenance and function of nervous system. The changes in myelination-related genes are most prominent in human alcoholics. Previously, our cDNA microarray study showed altered Proteolipid protein (PLP), a major protein of central myelin.

Exposure level and distribution characteristics of airborne bacteria and fungi in Seoul metropolitan subway stations.

The exposure level and distribution characteristics of airborne bacteria and fungi were assessed in the workers' activity areas (station office, bedroom, ticket office and driver's seat) and passengers' activity areas (station precinct, inside the passenger carriage, and platform) of the Seoul metropolitan subway. Among investigated areas, the levels of airborne bacteria and fungi in the workers' bedroom and station precincts were relatively high. No significant difference was found in the concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi between the underground and above ground activity areas of the subway.

Effects of topically applied Korean red ginseng and its genuine constituents on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, family Araliaceae) possesses various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor actions.

Osmotic stress inhibits proteasome by p38 MAPK-dependent phosphorylation.

Osmotic stress causes profound perturbations of cell functions. Although the adaptive responses required for cell survival upon osmotic stress are being unraveled, little is known about the effects of osmotic stress on ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. We now report that hyperosmotic stress inhibits proteasome activity by activating p38 MAPK.

Evaluation of a liquid bead array system for high-risk human papillomavirus detection and genotyping in comparison with Hybrid Capture II, DNA chip and sequencing methods.

Since persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known cause of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer, several HPV DNA detection methods have been developed during the last decade. The Hybrid Capture II (HCII) assay, which allows detection of 13 high-risk HPVs, has been well validated; however, it does not provide any genotype-specific information. The oncogenic activity of HPV is dependent on its genotype.

Adiponectin concentrations: a genome-wide association study.

Adiponectin is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. To date, there has been no genome-wide association study (GWAS) of adiponectin levels in Asians. Here we present a GWAS of a cohort of Korean volunteers.

Protein kinase Cdelta is associated with 14-3-3 phosphorylation in seizure-induced neuronal death.

Prolonged seizures cause significant damage to the brain, and cellular damage due to status epilepticus may be related to the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Protein kinase Cdelta (PKCδ) mediates multiple cell death signalings, and 14-3-3 proteins regulate survival pathways in brain, sequestering certain pro-apoptotic proteins. Presently, we examined the association between PKCδ and 14-3-3 with seizure-induced neuronal death using mouse model.

Functional neuroanatomy associated with natural and urban scenic views in the human brain: 3.0T functional MR imaging.

Objective: By using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique we assessed brain activation patterns while subjects were viewing the living environments representing natural and urban scenery.

Materials And Methods: A total of 28 healthy right-handed subjects underwent an fMRI on a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner.

Distribution characteristics of airborne bacteria and fungi in the general hospitals of Korea.

The objective of this study is to provide fundamental data related to size-based characteristics of bioaerosol distributed in the general hospital. Measurement sites are main lobby, ICU, surgical ward and biomedical laboratory and total five times were sampled with six-stage cascade impactor. Mean concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi were the highest in main lobby as followed by an order of surgical ward, ICU and biomedical laboratory.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of benign thyroid nodules in patients with incompletely resolved clinical problems after ethanol ablation (EA).

Background: Although ethanol ablation (EA) is effective, refractory cases have been reported in 5-25% of patients, with a marked decline in efficacy on subsequent reattempt. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) after EA of benign thyroid nodules in patients with incompletely resolved initial clinical problems.

Methods: Among 137 patients with 137 benign thyroid nodules who underwent EA, 27 patients (M:F = 5:22; mean age = 38 years, range = 21-60 years) underwent additional RFA if all of the following criteria were fulfilled: (1) complaint of incompletely resolved clinical problems, (2) demonstration of remaining solid component with internal vascularity on 1-month follow-up power Doppler US, and (3) patient desire for additional treatment.

Benign predominantly solid thyroid nodules: prospective study of efficacy of sonographically guided radiofrequency ablation versus control condition.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation of benign predominantly solid thyroid nodules by comparing the findings in treatment and control groups.

Subjects And Methods: Thirty patients with normal thyroid function, each with a benign predominantly (> 50%) solid thyroid nodule causing pressure symptoms or cosmetic problems, were assigned to a control group (n = 15) or to a group undergoing a single session of radiofrequency ablation (n = 15). Thyroid nodule volume, thyroid function, pressure symptoms, and cosmetic concerns were evaluated before treatment and during follow-up.

CKbeta8/CCL23 and its isoform CKbeta8-1 induce up-regulation of cyclins via the G(i)/G(o) protein/PLC/PKCdelta/ERK leading to cell-cycle progression.

CKbeta8/CCL23 is a CC chemokine and alternative splicing of the CKbeta8 gene produces two mRNAs that encode CKbeta8 and its isoform CKbeta8-1. Chemokines play a critical role in leukocyte trafficking and development of inflammation and chemokines are also known to be involved in cell proliferation. To investigate participation of CKbeta8 and CKbeta8-1 in cell proliferation, we examined the effects of CKbeta8 and CKbeta8-1 in the cell cycle.

An 8-gene signature, including methylated and down-regulated glutathione peroxidase 3, of gastric cancer.

We have identified an 8-gene signature with significant expression differences between gastric cancer and normal gastric tissues. This 8-gene set can predict the normal and cancer status of gastric tissues with more than 96% accuracy in a totally independent microarray dataset. The 8 genes are composed of down-regulated KLF4, GPX3, SST and LIPF, together with up-regulated SERPINH1, THY1 and INHBA in gastric cancer.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced expression of Leukotactin-1 is mediated by the PI3-K/PDK1/Akt signaling pathway.

Chemokines function in the migration of circulating leukocytes to regions of inflammation, and have been implicated in chronic inflammatory conditions including mycobacterial infection. We investigated whether Leukotactin-1 (Lkn-1), a novel member of the CC-chemokines, is involved in the immune response of macrophages against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). In PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells, MTB infection increased mRNA expression of Lkn-1 in a dose-dependent manner.

CK beta 8/CCL23 induces cell migration via the Gi/Go protein/PLC/PKC delta/NF-kappa B and is involved in inflammatory responses.

Aims: CKbeta8/CCL23 is a CC chemokine and alternative splicing of the CKbeta8 gene produces two mRNAs that encode CKbeta8 and its isoform CKbeta8-1. Although it has been reported that CKbeta8 and CKbeta8-1 are implicated in leukocyte trafficking and development of inflammation, the exact roles of these two chemokines in immune responses and the associated chemotaxis signaling are still obscure.

Main Methods: To understand the mechanism of CKbeta8- and CKbeta8-1-induced chemotaxis signaling, we examined the chemotactic activities of osteogenic sarcoma cells expressing CC chemokine receptor 1 in response to CKbeta8 and CKbeta8-1.

Sulforaphane suppresses oligomerization of TLR4 in a thiol-dependent manner.

TLRs are pattern recognition receptors that detect invading microorganisms and nonmicrobial endogenous molecules to trigger immune and inflammatory responses during host defense and tissue repair. TLR activity is closely linked to the risk of many inflammatory diseases and immune disorders. Therefore, TLR signaling pathways can provide efficient therapeutic targets for chronic diseases.

Overexpression of Hr links excessive induction of Wnt signaling to Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis.

Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis (MUHH) is a rare autosomal dominant hair disorder. Through the study of a mouse model, we identified a mutation in the 5'-untranslated region of the hairless (HR) gene in patients with MUHH in a Caucasian family. The corresponding mutation, named 'hairpoor', was found in mutant mice that were generated through N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis.

Effects of protein kinase Cdelta and phospholipase C-gamma1 on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in taxol-induced breast cancer cell death.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a CC chemokine that plays an important role in immune cell migration. It has been reported that chemokines, including MCP-1, are involved in angiogenesis and metastasis. However, the exact role of chemokines in cancer development is still obscure.

A novel isoform of human LZIP negatively regulates the transactivation of the glucocorticoid receptor.

The human leucine zipper protein (LZIP) is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor that is involved in leukocyte migration, tumor suppression, and endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated protein degradation. Although evidence suggests a diversity of roles for LZIP, its function is not fully understood, and the subcellular localization of LZIP is still controversial. We identified a novel isoform of LZIP and characterized its function in ligand-induced transactivation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in COS-7 and HeLa cells.

Shengmai-san-mediated enhancement of regenerative responses of spinal cord axons after injury in rats.

Shengmai-san (SMS) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat diverse symptoms including cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Here we investigated the effects of SMS on regenerative responses of spinal cord axons in rats that were given contusion injury at the lower thoracic level. The injury cavity was confined to a restricted area by SMS treatment, and the signals of glial scar protein chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG) and inflammatory cell marker protein CD11beta were heavily observed within the injury cavity in SMS-treated animals.

Alteration of Toll-like receptor 4 activation by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal mediated by the suppression of receptor homodimerization.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) detect invading microbial pathogens and initiate immune responses as part of host defense mechanisms. They also respond to host-derived substances released from injured cells and tissues to ensure wound healing and tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of TLRs increases the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases and immune disorders.

Doxycycline is neuroprotective against nigral dopaminergic degeneration by a dual mechanism involving MMP-3.

In Parkinson disease (PD), the dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra undergo degeneration. While the exact mechanism for the degeneration is still not completely understood, neuronal apoptosis and inflammation are thought to play roles. We have recently obtained evidence that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 plays a crucial role in the apoptotic signal in DAergic cells as well as activation of microglia.

Peroxiredoxin II preserves cognitive function against age-linked hippocampal oxidative damage.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), routinely produced in biological reactions, contribute to both normal aging and age-related decline in cognitive function. However, little is known regarding the involvement of specific antioxidants in the underlying mechanism(s). Here, we examined if peroxiredoxin II (Prx II) scavenges intracellular ROS that cause age-dependent mitochondrial decay in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons and subsequent impairment of learning and memory.