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Introduction: Melatonin signaling dysfunction has been suggested in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The signaling dysfunction was observed in osteoblasts from AIS girls. The associated the occurrence of AIS with melatonin receptor-2 gene polymorphism has been shown previously. Objective: To determine whether there is abnormality on the protein expression of melatonin receptors in AIS osteoblasts. Methods: Intraoperative bone biopsies were obtained from 13 girls with severe AIS and 9 normal controls. The isolated osteoblasts were detected for the presence of melatonin receptor expressions (MT1 and MT2) by Western blotting. Also, the effect of melatonin on proliferation of osteoblasts was tested against different melatonin concentrations (0, 1nM, 100uM). Results: Both MT1 and MT2 were found in the controls. MT1 was normally expressed in the AIS osteoblasts, however only 69% showed positive MT2 expression when compared with controls. Proliferation of AIS osteoblasts without MT2 was the least when compared with control and those with MT2 expression with melatonin added. Also, melatonin significantly enhanced the control osteoblasts to proliferate. The proliferation of AIS with MT2 was higher than those without. Conclusion: This is the first to report the difference between the AIS and control osteoblasts in the expression of MT2. The results indicated there is possible functional effect toward osteoblasts proliferation. Significance: Although the physiological significance on the expression remains uncertain, the absence of MT2 in AIS osteoblasts showed the lowest percentage of viable cells with melatonin treatment which indicating a modulator role toward osteoblasts proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previous reports showed that AIS subjects with family history (fAIS) were different in clinical manifestation from those without (sAIS; sporadic). It is suggested that abnormal skeletal growth is involved in the etiopathogenesis and characteristics. It is speculated that fAIS and sAIS differ in phenotypic expressions related to skeletal growth which underlies the possible different in their pathogenesis. Objective: To uses retrospective epidemiological approach to compare the phenotypes and curve progression between the fAIS and sAIS. Materials and Methods: From the region-wide school screening program, 882 girls with AIS referral were recruited. Family history questionnaire and clinical assessment were taken twice at: 1) the first clinic visit; 2) the visit when reaching skeletal maturity. Curve progression and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Results: About 18% of AIS patients had at least one affected first-degree relatives. It was significantly more frequent for fAIS (odd ratio: 1.31; CI: 1.13-153) to have curve progression when compared with sAIS (p<0.001). fAIS was more likely to require bracing or surgery. fAIS had a significantly longer arm span and radius length than the sAIS while other anthropometric and clinical features were comparable. Conclusion: Among AIS patients with clinically significant curve, the prevalence of fAIS was 18%. Differences in curve severity and curve progression between fAIS and sAIS could be a reflection of underlying differences in etiopathogenesis of AIS. Significance: AIS subjects could be characterized into subgroups according to various genetic and phenotypic expressions. The further research into different subgroups of AIS subject would shed light to the eitopathogenesis of AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Disproportionate endochondral and membranous ossification in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been suggested in the axial skeleton. It is also generally accepted that the AIS girls are taller than their healthy peers. Objectives: To investigate whether disproportional skeletal growth occurred in the peripheral bone of AIS patients. Subjects and Methods: Skeletally mature AIS girls (n=290) were recruited together with age-matched healthy girls(n=80) as normal control. The anthropometric parameters were recorded. The midshaft of non-dominant radius was scanned with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and the radius width was calculated from the cross-sectional area. Radius geometry ratio was derived from the ratio of radius width to radius length. The anthropometric parameters were compared between AIS and control with adjustment for age. The radius geometry ratio was correlated with curve severity in AIS girls. Results: The arm span and radius length were longer in AIS girls. The BMI of AIS girls was significantly lower than the controls. The radius geometry, in severe AIS girls was significantly lower than the controls and was found to correlate with the curve severity (r=-0.120; p=0.039). Conclusion: The abnormal radius geometry ratio supported the previous finding on disproportional endochondral ossification vs. membranous ossification. The disproportionate radial growth was also found to be positively associated with the curve severity of AIS girls. The regulatory mechanism of endochondral and membranous ossification in AIS subjects should be warranted further study. Significance: The present study provided additional piece of evidence for the role of skeletal growth in the development of AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have documented obstructed CSF flow in patients with Chiari I malformation. Low-lying cerebellar tonsils and syringomyelia are also observed in AIS patients. We sought to investigate whether disturbed CSF flow is also evident in AIS subjects at the foramen magnum level and its relationship with level of cerebellar tonsils and dimensions of foramen magnum. Phase-contrast and conventional MR were performed in 105 adolescent girls, which include 69 AIS subjects (Cobbs angle 20–80, 40 had thoracic curve, 27 lumbar curve, 2 thoracolumbar curve) and 36 age-matched controls. Measurements of peak velocity of CSF flow in both the anterior and posterior subarachnoid space through foramen magnum, cerebellar tonsillar level related to the basion-opsithion (BO) line, anteroposterior (AP), transverse (TS) diameter and area of foramen magnum were obtained. Correlations were made among different parameters and SSEP findings. Peak CSF velocities through foramen magnum showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between AIS and normal subjects though 42% subjects in AIS group had the cerebellar tonsillar tip positioned 1 mm below the BO line. The cerebellar tonsillar level in AIS subjects was significantly lower than the median tonsillar level in normal controls (p<0.01) while the AP diameter and area of foramen magnum were significantly larger in AIS subjects when compared with normal controls (p<0.05). Peak CSF velocities through foramen magnum were not significantly different in AIS subjects despite the presence of low-lying cerebellar tonsils. This might be explained by the compensatory effect of larger foramen magnum in AIS subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observation of sub-clinical neurological abnormalities has led to proposal of neuro-developmental etiologic model for AIS. Longer latency in somatosensory–evoked potential (SSEP) and impaired balance control have been demonstrated in AIS subjects. In this study, we investigated whether regional brain tissue densities in AIS patients differ from matched control subjects. Nine left thoracic AIS girls (mean Cobbs angle 19°) and 11 matched controls; 20 right thoracic AIS girls (mean Cobbs 33.8°) and 17 matched controls underwent MR imaging of the brain. Fully automatic morphometric analysis was used to analyse the MR images; it included linear registration to a template brain and brain-tissue classification into grey matter (GM), white matter (WM) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Tissue densities were compared between AIS subjects and controls. There was no significant difference between AIS subjects and normal controls when comparing absolute and relative (i.e. brain-size adjusted) volumes of grey and white matter. Using voxel-based morphometry, significant group differences (Controls > left AIS) were found in density of WM, in genu of corpus callosum, left internal capsule (anterior arm) and WM underlying orbitofrontal cortex of the left hemisphere. The above difference was not observed in right AIS group. Corpus callosum, major commissural fiber responsible for controlling the balance of right and left side of the body, was different in atypical left scoliosis while significant regional brain changes have not yet found in those with typical right thoracic scoliosis. Further investigation is warranted to see whether the above discrepancy is related to laterality of the scoliotic curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low BMD and dysfunction of melatonin signaling pathway has been suggested as the possible key link to the spinal deformity in AIS. Prior studies shown that melatonin can influence and regulate skeletal growth and bone formation in human and animal models. However, there is a relative lack of direct evidence on the role of melatonin on AIS at the cellular and molecular level. To investigate the effect of melatonin on AIS osteoblasts at the cellular level. In vitro assays were performed with osteoblasts isolated from 7 girls with severe AIS and 7 controls. These were treated with different concentration of melatonin (0, 10-11, 10-9, 10-7, 10-5 M). Cell proliferation was tested by MTT assay. As for differentiation, cells were cultured overnight in osteogenic medium. Then, they were given different concentration of melatonin for 3 days, prior to measuring the ALP activity. Moreover, mineralization of the matrix was qualitatively determined by alizarin red S staining after 18 days of culture. There was significant differences between control and AIS at the melatonin concentration of 10-9 to 10-5 M (p<0.05). In control, melatonin could stimulate proliferation when compared with the basal (p<0.05). Likewise, melatonin could also enhanced differentiation, with incubation overnight in osteogenic medium (p<0.05). Likewise, mineralized matrix was formed. However, none of the AIS osteoblasts could show any of the changes at the same concentration of melatonin. For the first time, we demonstrated there is a relative difference between AIS and control toward melatonin, which may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CHD7 gene was recently associated with familial form of idiopathic scoliosis (IS). However, the haplotype and alleles showing disease predisposition were also common variants found the population. Therefore, it implies that these high-risk alleles in CHD7 gene may also play a role in the genetic predisposition of sporadic form of IS. 540 Chinese female AIS patients (Cobb's>20) were recruited as cases and 252 healthy Chinese female adolescent as control. The population genetic variation in CHD7 gene was represented in the HapMap data. Four SNPs (rs4237036, rs625979, rs1483207, rs17826359) located to the proximity of peak association found in the original report were examined. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP. The 4 SNPs were not significantly associated with AIS. The 2 SNPs (rs4237036 and rs1483207) located in closest proximity to the region between exon 2 and 4 of CHD7 which had shown the strongest association in original report did not reveal any association in this Chinese AIS subjects. There was a high level of linkage disequilibrium within this gene. Among the 13 common haplotypes, many are common to Chinese and Caucasian. Therefore, this tagSNP approach would detect any disease association due to a common haplotype. The absence of association with CHD7 gene indicated that common variants in CHD7 play a minor role in genetic predisposition to sporadic IS, at least in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong evidences support a genetic etiology of late-onset idiopathic scoliosis (IS). Previous studies showed that familial IS could account for about 10% of the disease population. Genetic predisposition for IS can be attributed to multiple genetic loci. This polygenic predisposition is supported by recent genetic linkage studies. Furthermore, we hypothesize that additional genetic and environmental factor are determinants of disease progression which may be different from those related to disease predisposition. Therefore, a genetic model of etiopathogenesis of IS is proposed. The role of variation in genes related to the skeletal growth was studied in 600 adolescent girls with IS and 300 healthy age-matched controls. These variations were investigated for association with disease predisposition and/or disease progression. For the disease predisposition, genotypes were compared between the cases and controls. For disease progression, genotypes of the severe IS patients were compared to mild non-progressive IS patients. Estrogen receptor alpha gene and growth hormone receptor gene were not associated with either occurrence or curve severity of IS. Melatonin receptor 2 and collagen type I alpha 2 genes were associated with predisposition to IS and not with the progression. Insulin-like growth factor I was a determinant of disease progression alone. Our ongoing genetic study strongly suggests that different sets of genes are responsible for the initiation and curve progression in late onset IS. It is likely that differential roles may be found for various environmental/anthropometric factors. The late-onset of IS fits to the model of complex trait disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balance dysfunction has been reported to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study sought to investigate for any morphometric difference present in vestibular system between AIS subjects and normal controls. High resolution T2W MR images of vestibular systems were obtained from 13 AIS girls with normal postural balance (PB), 9 PB-abnormal AIS girls and 20 matched controls. The 3D vestibular system surfaces were segmented by automatic computational pipeline. One best fit circle was assigned to each of the three semicircular canals. Shape of each canal was reflected by the radius of its circle while spatial relationship among the three canals was reflected by the length and angle formed between the corresponding lines connecting the centers of each pair of circles. Orientation asymmetry between left and right vestibular systems was measured by the Euler angles calculated to rigidly register the right to left vestibular surface. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA. There was significant group difference in the shape and spatial relationship of the semicircular canals. In general, AIS had greater orientation asymmetry between left and right vestibular systems when compared with normal controls (p=0.0265). This difference was more exaggerated in PB-abnormal AIS (p=0.016). Mean values of rotational angles around y-axis were as follows: control=-2.8593, PB-normal AIS=-1.0949, PB-abnormal AIS=3.7309. Rotational asymmetry of the vestibular system might be one of the factors leading to postural dysfunction in AIS. Whether this structural change has any prognostic effect on curve progression warrants further longitudinal investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has found to be a useful tool in assessing the quality of bone non-invasively. Previous studies showed that a significant portion of AIS girls have low bone mineral density (BMD). However, studies in mechanical and structural properties of bone in AIS patients are limited. We aimed at to investigate the bone quality in AIS girls using radiation free calcaneal QUS. 528 AIS girls with initial Cobb angle ≥10° and 240 age-matched normal control girls were recruited. QUS measurement was performed at the non-dominant side of calcaneum. Parameters measured by QUS included broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), velocity of sound (VOS) and stiffness index (SI). Independent t-test was used for analysis. Results showed that there were no significant difference in age and menarchal age between AIS and controls (p>0.05). The mean Cobb angle for AIS girls was 30°±11. However, AIS had significantly lower in BUA, VOS and SI than those of the controls (BUA: 117.0±13.9 Vs 123.4±10.9; p<0.01; VOS: 1442.1±46.8 Vs 1447.9±53.8; p=0.037; SI: 353.2±69.3 Vs 379.6±69.3; p<0.01). The current study showed all the QUS parameters were found lower in AIS than those of age-matched controls. Results revealed poor bone quality may reflect the presence of abnormality in bone micro-architecture in AIS patients. Our previous study demonstrated that low BMD, measured by DXA, was found to be one of the risk factors in predicting curve progression. Further study in combining bone density and quality parameters for prognostication of curve progression in AIS could be of great clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parietal bone contour was more prominent while occipital bone contour was significantly smaller in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) subjects. AIS also had shorter hypophyseal fossa and longer clivus in the basicranium when compared with normal controls. These observations can be accounted by a mismatch between membranous (calvarium) and endochondral (basicranium) ossification, which affecting the skull and vertebral column as a systemic process of abnormal skeletal growth in AIS. Abnormal skeletal growth in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) girls is observed in the vertebral column with a mismatch between endochondral and membranous ossifications. This study sought to investigate whether an abnormal growth pattern also affecting the skull resulting in morphological differences in the calvarium and basicranium between AIS girls and normal controls. The analysis was based on high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer-assisted morphometric analysis. MRI images of the whole skull were obtained from 28 AIS girls (age 12–18, Cobbs angle >40 degrees) and 18 matched healthy controls. First, the shape of the calvarium (formed by membranous ossification) was assessed by computer-assisted 3D morphometric analysis with shape description. The configuration of basicranium (formed by endochondral ossification and without clear boundary on 3D image) was assessed on the best mid-sagittal image with both linear and angular measurements of the pre-defined anatomical points on the skull base. For the calvarium, the occipital contour was significantly smaller while the left parietal contour was more prominent in AIS subjects (Recursive feature elimination for support vector machine, SVM_RFE). For the basicranium, the length of hypophyseal fossa housing the pituitary gland was significantly shorter in AIS girls (p<0.05) and the length of clivus including the basioccipital synchondrosis was significantly longer in AIS girls (p<0.05). The present study suggests that abnormal skeletal growth is a systemic process in AIS, affecting not only their vertebral columns but also their skulls. These could be accounted by a mismatch between membranous (circumferential growth of vertebral column and calvarium) and endochondral (longitudinal growth of vertebral column and basicranium) ossification. The clinical significance of morphometric changes of the calvarium and basicranium is closely related to whether corresponding changes are present in the underlying cerebral structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Organ donor scarcity remains a restricting factor for pancreatic islet transplantation. To date, limited information is available on the impact of long-distance transportation on transplantable pancreatic islets. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of transportation on the viability and function of murine pancreatic islet cells. Methods The isolated murine pancreatic islets were transported from Japan to Korea with the use of commercial modes of transportation: subway and commercial airplane. After transportation, the islets were assessed by performing a viability assay and by evaluating the islets' insulin secretion in response to glucose stimulation. A comparative study was performed for evaluating the insulin secretory responses of transported and control islets (not transported). Results There was no evidence of contamination in the transported pancreatic islets. No significant differences were observed in the viability and functionality of the transported and control islet cells. Conclusions These findings show the feasibility of pancreatic islet transportation from Japan to Korea. Our data could be used not only for the inter-Asian but also for global advancement of animal and human islet transportation methods and transplantation research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure of the Al–9.7Si–0.7Cu–0.4Mg alloy solidified by different cooling rates was reported in this study and solution heat treatment followed by aging treatment was carried out for the effects of heat treatment on mechanical and thermal characteristics. The solution treatment was performed at 535 °C for 6 h and then the specimens were cooled by water quenching. The samples were aged at 180 °C or 190 °C for 1–10 h. By heat treatment, the long needles of eutectic silicon particles were broken down into smaller fragments and then gradually spheroidized. Spheroidizing of the eutectic silicon particles has found to improve the tensile strength and thermal diffusivity of the alloy. In particular, as increasing the aging temperature of Al–Si–Cu–Mg alloy from 180 °C to 190 °C, the 3% higher thermal conductivity was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Impact–Echo (IE) method has been widely used to evaluate the integrity of concrete structures. In this method, the P-wave velocity of concrete is a crucial parameter in determining the thickness of concrete slab and the location of cracks or other defects. To determine P-wave velocity of concrete, in this paper, Spectral Analysis of Surface Wave (SASW) method was employed, and IE–SASW method was suggested by combining two nondestructive testing methods. IE method was used for the detailed nondestructive evaluation of concrete whereas SASW method was employed for the measurement of the average P-wave velocity and for the status evaluation of concrete. The feasibility study of SASW method was performed by using finite element method. Experimental studies were also performed in the slab type concrete model specimens in which various types of defects or boundaries were included at known locations. SASW tests showed the potential of determining the P-wave velocity of concrete accurately and IE tests were able to determine the thickness of structures and locations of defects. Based on both experimental and numerical studies, the feasibility of the proposed method was verified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report two cases that showed erroneous white blood cell differential counts by automated cell counters. Each case showed an interesting discrepancy of differential count between cell counters, and marked pseudobasophilia was observed by one of the two counters. The first patient was a 44-year-old female who suffered from multiple myeloma for more than one and a half years. Increased myeloma cells (43%) in peripheral blood were counted as basophils by the ADVIA 120, and as monocytes by SE-9000, respectively. The second patient was a 72-year-old female diagnosed as having chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Dysgranulopoietic neutrophils (50%) and monocytes (31%) were increased in the peripheral blood. Dysgranulopoietic neutrophils were counted as basophils by STKS. In contrast, about half of the increased monocytes were counted as neutrophils by the ADVIA 120. These interesting findings highlight the importance of microscopic examination of the blood film in routine laboratory practice, and automated cell counters, especially for the hematologic patients, cannot completely substitute for it. These results also imply that at least some subpopulations with different membrane or cytoplasmic properties may exist even in the similarly classified cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air-liquid-interface (ALI) exposure systems deliver aerosol to the apical surface of cells which mimics the in vivo inhalation exposure conditions. It is necessary, however, to quantify the delivered amount of aerosol for ALI-based in vitro toxicity assessment. In this study, we evaluated two commercially available ALI exposure systems, a Vitrocell® Ames 48 (Ames 48) and a Vitrocell® 24/48 (VC 24/48), and the Vitrocell® VC1/7 smoking machine using a cig-a-like cartridge-based e-vapor device with a prototype formulation (containing 4% nicotine by weight). We characterized aerosol particle-size distribution, aerosol mass, and major chemical components (nicotine, propylene glycol, and glycerol) at the generation source and verified the repeatability of the aerosol generation. We determined aerosol delivery at the ALI by gravimetric analysis of mass collected on Cambridge filter pads and analytical quantitation of the buffer medium which showed that both aerosol mass and nicotine to an exposure insert linearly increased up to 400 puffs. The delivered aerosol mass covered a wide range of 0.8–3.4 mg per insert in the Ames 48 with variability (relative standard deviation, RSD) up to 12% and 1.1–6.4 mg per insert in the VC 24/48 with variability up to 15%. The delivered nicotine ranged approximately up to 200 μg per insert in both exposure systems. These results provided operation and aerosol delivery information of these ALI exposure systems for subsequent in vitro testing of e-vapor aerosols. • We characterized an Ames 48 and a VC 24/48 for e-vapor aerosol toxicity evaluation. • The Ames 48 delivered 0.8 – 3.4 mg aerosol per insert under testing conditions. • The VC 24/48 delivered 1.0 – 6.4 mg aerosol per insert under testing conditions. • Delivered nicotine ranged up to approximately 200 μg per insert in both exposure systems. • The PSD as measured by cascade impactor were comparable prior to and after VC 24/48 or Ames 48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Radix Rehmanniae (RR) has a very long history of usage in traditional Chinese medicine and is usually one of the principal herb found in many herbal formulae used in diabetic foot ulcer. Aim of the study: RR aqueous extract was investigated for its wound healing effects in a diabetic foot ulcer rat model and its detailed mechanism of actions. Materials and methods: A previously established diabetic foot ulcer rat model was used to assess the effect of RR extract on wound area reduction, tissue regeneration and angiogenesis. Carrageenan-induced inflammation rat model was used for inflammation study; and diabetic control was evaluated using a neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Results: In the RR treated group, a trend of reduction of the wound area was observed from days 8 to 18 and a significant difference (as compared with control group) was found on day 8. The ulcer healing effect of RR extract was further supported by better developed scars and epithelialization as well as good formation of capillaries with enhanced VEGF expression. Carrageenan-induced inflammation was also significantly alleviated with RR extract. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated for the first time that Radix Rehmanniae was effective in promoting diabetic foot ulcer healing in rats through the processes of tissue regeneration, angiogenesis and inflammation control, but not glycemia control. The present study provided scientific basis to support the traditional use of Radix Rehmanniae in diabetic foot ulcer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives : This study tested the effect of Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen (PE) on preventing steroid-associated osteonecrosis (ON) in rabbit model. Methods : Thirty 28-week-old male New-Zealand white rabbits were divided into control group (CON; n =14) and PE group (PE; n =16; 5 mg/kg body weight/day) after receiving an established inductive protocol for inducing steroid-associated ON. Before and after inductive protocol, Dynamic-MRI was employed on bilateral femora for local intra-osseous perfusion, blood samples were examined for coagulation, fibrinolysis and lipid-transportation, and marrow samples were quantified for adipogenesis-gene mRNA expression. Six weeks later, bilateral femora were dissected for Micro-CT-based micro-angiography, and then ON lesion, intravascular thrombosis and extravascular fat-cell-size were examined histopathologically. Results : The incidence of ON in the PE group (31%) was significantly lower than that in the CON group (93%). Compared to the CON group, local intra-osseous perfusion was maintained in the PE group. Blocked trunk vessels were seldom found in micro-angiography of the PE-treated rabbits. Thrombosis incidence and fat-cell-size were both significantly lower in the PE group than those in the CON group. During the early period after induction, indicator of coagulation, fibrinolysis, lipid-transportation and adipogenesis-gene expression were found with significantly changing pattern in the PE group compared to the CON group. Conclusion : PE was able to exert beneficial effect on preventing steroid-associated ON in rabbits with inhibition of both thrombosis and lipid deposition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Jeongshintang (JST) is a Korean herbal prescription, which has been successfully used for cerebral diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of JST on Alzheimer''s disease (AD) is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of JST in attenuating the inflammatory response induced by interleukin (IL)-1β plus β-amyloid [1–42] fragment (Aβ) in the human astrocyte cell line, U373MG. The production of IL-6, IL-8, and prostaglandin (PG)E2 was significantly increased by IL-1β plus Aβ (1–42) in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). JST significantly inhibited the IL-1β plus Aβ (1–42)-induced IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 production at 24 h (P < 0.05). Maximal inhibition rate of IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 production by JST was about 54.40%, 56.01%, and 44.06% respectively. JST (0.01–1 mg/ml) also attenuated the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and activation of p38 MAPK induced by IL-1β and Aβ (1–42). These results demonstrated that JST has an anti-inflammatory effect, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using the chequerboard titration method, the activity in combination of β-lactams, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides was investigated against 24 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates resistant to these antibiotics. Synergy was detected with one or more antimicrobial combinations against 15 of 24 (63%) isolates and partial synergy was detected with one or more combinations against all 24 isolates. No antagonism was seen with any combination. Ceftazidime and cefepime with aztreonam, amikacin and isepamicin showed synergy or partial synergy against 12–20 (50–80%) isolates. Imipenem and meropenem with amikacin and isepamicin showed synergy or partial synergy against eight to 12 (33–50%) isolates. The results of this study indicate that against P. aeruginosa, synergy may occur between β-lactams, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides although the strains are resistant to the individual antibiotics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The antibacterial and antifungal activities of pinosylvin (3,5-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a constituent of pine, were studied and compared with those of resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene). Pinosylvin exhibited more potent growth inhibitory activity against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction/Background To investigate of the cardiorespiratory fitness of breast cancer patients with lymphedema and to understand the association between CRF and hand grip strength in breast cancer patients with lymphedema. Material and method Patients with breast cancer who had treatment-related lymphedema were included retrospectively ( n = 20). The control group reviewed the medical records of females participating in health screening who had cardiopulmonary function test ( n = 33). CRF classified by aerobic capacity and cardiovascular response. To assess hand grip strength, by using a hand dynamometer was used. Two attempts were made with each hand and the average of the two scores was used. Body mass index (BMI), Beck Depression Index inventory (BDI), Montreal cognitive assessment-K (MOCA-K) were measured to investigate the association between handgrip strength and physical, psychological factors. Results In breast cancer patients with lymphedema experimental, metabolic equivalent tasks (METs), peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak), anaerobic threshold were significantly lower than control group. The handgrip strength of affected arm is lower than unaffected arm. Handgrip strength showed no significant association with age, BMI, difference of circumference, BDI, MOCA-K. Handgrip strength showed no strong correlation with cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusion To improve of quality of life and survival rate of breast cancer patients with lymphedema, it is important to educate aerobic and strengthening exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Major burn injury induces an inflammatory response, which is accompanied by the release of various cytokines.This study was performed to investigate changes in levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines following burn injury, and to investigate the relationship between levels of these cytokines and prognosis in burn patients. Methods: Blood samples of 40 burn patients were collected on days 1 and 3 after burn injury, and concentrations of G-CSF, GM-CSF, INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1rα, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, PDGF-BB, RANTES, VEGF, Basic FGF, and Eotaxin were measured using the Bio-Plex Suspension Array System. Blood samples of 25 healthy non-burn subjects were used as controls. Clinical data including patients’ outcome (survival or death) were collected from the patients’ medical records. Statistical differences in each cytokine concentrations between control and patient groups, between day 1 and day 3, and between survival and death groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney’s U-test. Results: Median concentrations of G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-1rα, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and VEGF were significantly increased in burn patients compared to those in non-burn controls (P <0.05). Median concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-1rα, IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, PDGF-BB, VEGF, basic FGF, and Eotaxin were significantly higher on day 1 compared to day 3, whereas G-CSF were significantly higher on day 3 compared to day 1 (P <0.05). None of the cytokines showed significantly different concentrations between non-survival and survival groups, either on day 1 or day 3 after burn injury. Conclusion: These findings indicate that G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-1rα, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and VEGF play important roles in inflammatory changes after burn injury and most cytokine levels are increased on day 1 compared to on day 3 after burn injury. The concentrations of various cytokines in this study measured on day 1 or day 3 after burn injury failed to predict the prognosis related to patient’s survival or death. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]