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Background: Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) play a key role in hair growth among the various cell types in hair follicles. Especially, DPCs determine the fate of hair follicle such as anagen to telogen transition and play a pivotal role in androgenic alopecia (AGA). This study was performed to elucidate the hair growth promoting effects of Polygonum multiflorum extract (PM extract) in cultured human DPCs and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: The effects of PM extract on cultured DPCs were investigated. Cell viability and mitochondrial activity were measured by CCK-8 and JC-1 analysis, respectively. Western blotting, dot blotting, ELISA analysis, immunocytochemistry and real-time PCR analysis were also performed to elucidate the changes in protein and mRNA levels induced by PM extract. 3D cultured DPC spheroids were constructed for mimicking the in vivo DPs. The hair growth stimulatory effect of PM extract was evaluated using human hair follicle organ culture model. Results: PM extract increased the viability and mitochondrial activity in cultured human DPCs in a dose dependent manner. The expression of Bcl2, an anti-apoptotic protein expressed dominantly in anagen was significantly increased and that of BAD, a pro-apoptotic protein expressed in early catagen was decreased by PM extract in cultured DPCs and/or 3D DPC spheroid culture. PM extract also decreased the expression of catagen inducing protein, Dkk-1. Growth factors including IGFBP2, PDGF and VEGF were increased by PM extract, revealed by dot blot protein analysis. We also have found that PM extract could reverse the androgenic effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most potent androgen. Finally, PM extract prolonged the anagen of human hair follicles by inhibiting catagen entry in human hair follicle organ culture model. Conclusion: Our data strongly suggest that PM extract could promote hair growth by elongating the anagen and/or delaying the catagen induction of hair follicles through activation of DPCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radial pressure pulse wave (RPPW) examination has been a key diagnostic component of traditional Chinese medicine. The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in RPPW along with various hemodynamic variables after acupuncture stimulation and to examine the validity of pulse diagnosis as a modern diagnostic tool. Methods: We conducted acupuncture stimulation at both ST36 acupuncture points in 25 healthy volunteers. We simultaneously assessed the RPPW by pulse tonometry; heart rate variability (HRV) by electrocardiogram; photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals, respiration rate, peripheral blood flow velocity and arterial depth by ultrasonography; and cardiac output by impedance cardiography, before, during and after a session of acupuncture stimulation. Results: We observed consistent patterns of increased spectral energy at low frequency (<10 Hz) and pulse power using RPPW examination and in the amplitude and systolic area of the PPG signal during the entire acupuncture session. The low- and high-frequency domains of HRV increased and decreased, respectively, during the acupuncture session. The peripheral blood velocity rose shortly after needle insertion, reached a maximum in the middle of the session and decreased afterwards. The augmentation index (AIX) and pulse transit time (PTT) obtained from RPPW did not change significantly. Conclusion: Acupuncture stimulation at ST36 in healthy subjects increased the peripheral pulse amplitudes (pressure pulse wave (PPW) and PPG), blood flow velocity (ultrasonography) and sympathetic nerve activity (HRV). The lack of changes in the AIX and PTT suggests that the increased pulse amplitudes and blood flow velocity may result from increased cardiac output. Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0001663). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) colonization in maternal low genitourinary tract can cause preterm labor, spontaneous abortion, and chorioamnionitis. Also preterm babies suffer from perinatal mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical effect of UU colonization in maternal vaginal fluids and premature respiratory secretions on neonatal adverse outcomes. Methods: Retrospective review were performed on preterm baby less than 35 weeks and their mother who were admitted at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University from October, 2010 to June, 2012. Maternal vaginal specimen, preterm baby's tracheal fluid and nasopharynx secretion were collected and PCR and/or culture tests were done. The subjects were divided into 4 groups; both maternal and preterm colonization positive were 'UUA' group, only maternal colonization positive as 'UUB', only preterm colonization positive as 'UUC', and both maternal and preterm colonization negative as 'UUD'. Variable clinical outcome were investigated. Results: A total of 170 data were collected from the preterm delivery mother and their babies. The overall prevalence of maternal UU was 51% (86/170) and the prevalence of neonatal colonization was 39% (66/170). Of those 4 groups, gestational age (28.5±3.0 week, P =0.000) and birth weight (1,208.8±451 g, P =0.000)were the smallest in UUA. Also, prevalence of histological chorioamnionitis (P =0.040) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P=0.000) were statistical higher in UUA. Conclusion: Maternal colonization of UU was associated with histological chorioamnionitis. Maternal UU colonization and preterm respiratory secretion was associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]