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Mitochondrial homeostasis is controlled by biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in cardiovascular and renal disease and omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) are beneficial for cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy in the kidney and heart of adenine-induced uremic rats. Eighteen male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into normal control, adenine control, and adenine with omega-3 FA groups. Using Western blot analysis, the kidney and heart expression of mitochondrial homeostasis-related molecules, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) were investigated. Compared to normal, serum creatinine and heart weight/body weight in adenine control were increased and slightly improved in the omega-3 FA group. Compared to the normal controls, the expression of PGC-1α and PINK1 in the kidney and heart of the adenine group was downregulated, which was reversed after omega-3 FA supplementation. Drp1 was upregulated in the kidney but downregulated in the heart in the adenine group. Drp1 expression in the heart recovered in the omega-3 FA group. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was decreased in the kidney and heart of the adenine control group but the mtDNA of the heart was recovered in the omega-3 FA group. Drp1, which is related to mitochondrial fission, may function oppositely in the uremic kidney and heart. Omega-3 FAs may be beneficial for mitochondrial homeostasis by activating mitochondrial biogenesis and PINK1-dependent mitophagy in the kidney and heart of uremic rats.

Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) originates from the combustion of coal and is found in the exhaust of fumes of diesel vehicles. PM 2.5 readily penetrates the skin via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, causing skin senescence, inflammatory skin diseases, DNA damage, and carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether fisetin, a bioactive flavonoid, prevents PM 2.5 -induced apoptosis in HaCaT human keratinocytes. The results demonstrated that fisetin significantly downregulated PM 2.5 -induced apoptosis at concentrations below 10 μM. Fisetin strongly inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins. The PM 2.5 -induced apoptosis was associated with the induction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, mediated via the protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK)-eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)-activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP) axis. Additionally, the cytosolic Ca 2+ levels were markedly increased following exposure to PM 2.5 . However, fisetin inhibited the expression of ER stress-related proteins, including 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), phospho-eIF2α, ATF4, and CHOP, and reduced the cytosolic Ca 2+ levels. These data suggest that fisetin inhibits PM 2.5 -induced apoptosis by inhibiting the ER stress response and production of ROS.

Background: While a significant breast cancer burden exists for Korean American immigrant women, their cancer screening behavior is strikingly poor, and few interventions have focused on this population. To promote breast cancer screening behavior in Korean American immigrant women, a mobile phone multimedia messaging intervention (mMammogram) was developed., Objective: The current study explores the impact of mMammogram on changes to study participants' screening behavior and proposes suggestions for how the intervention can be improved for wide dissemination and implementation in the Korean American community., Material and Methods: Data were collected through qualitative research methods. Three focus groups were conducted with 14 Korean immigrant women who completed the mMammogram., Findings: Three themes emerged: (1) better understanding of breast cancer and screening through mMammogram (e.g., increased knowledge on breast cancer and screening methods, increased understanding of the importance of regular mammography, and reduced anxiety about mammography); (2) health navigators as a trigger to promote mammography (e.g., providing resources for free or low-cost mammograms and scheduling mammogram appointments); and (3) suggestions for mMammogram (e.g., technical issues and program period)., Conclusions: Mobile app intervention that is culturally tailored, along with health navigation services, can be a feasible, effective, and acceptable tool to promote breast cancer screening behaviors in underserved immigrant women. A mobile app can cover a broad range of breast cancer health topics and the health navigator can further help women overcome barriers to screening. A health navigation service is critical in overcoming language, transportation, and health accessibility barriers and triggering a positive change in their health screening behavior, especially for newly arrived immigrant populations.