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Background Inflammatory chemokines, such as macrophage-derived chemokine ( MDC/ CCL22), are elevated in the serum and lesioned skin of patients with atopic dermatitis ( AD), and are ligands for C-C chemokine receptor 4, which is predominantly expressed on T helper 2 lymphocytes, basophils and natural killer cells. We have previously reported that quercetagetin has an inhibitory activity on inflammatory chemokines, which is induced by interferon ( IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor ( TNF)-α, occurring via inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 ( STAT1) signal. Objectives To investigate the specific mechanisms of quercetagetin on the STAT1 signal. Methods We confirmed the inhibitory activity of quercetagetin on MDC and STAT1 in HaCaT keratinocytes. The interaction between STAT1 and IFN-γR1 was investigated using immunoprecipitation. The small interfering RNA approach was used to investigate the role of suppressor of cytokine signalling 1 ( SOCS1) and transforming growth factor ( TGF)-β1 induced by quercetagetin. Results Quercetagetin inhibited the expression of MDC at both the protein and m RNA levels in IFN-γ- and TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT human keratinocytes. Moreover, quercetagetin inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1 through upregulation of SOCS1. Increased expression of SOCS1 disrupted the binding of STAT1 to IFN-γR1. Furthermore, quercetagetin augmented the expression of TGF-β1, which is known to modulate the immune response and inflammation. Conclusions These results suggest that quercetagetin may be a potent inhibitor of the STAT1 signal, which could be a new molecular target for anti-inflammatory treatment, and may thus have therapeutic applications as an immune modulator in inflammatory diseases such as AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the mechanical angle error between two brushes and commutation patterns on the rotor PCB, a fatal defect—starting failure—could be detected in the vibration motor. In order to eliminate this failure, we have developed a new winding method, double winding, to make a 4-phase vibration motor with only 2 bunches of coil. By this winding method, we could eliminate the starting failure successfully and save the manufacturing cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), doxorubicin and mitomycin-C (FAM) adjuvant chemotherapy in patients who had undergone curative resection of gastric carcinoma., Methods: From Nov 1999 to Jan 2002, 291 consecutive patients with stage IB-IIIB gastric adenocarcinoma were given FAM adjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy comprised intravenous 5-FU 600 mg/m(2) (days 1, 8, 29 and 36), doxorubicin 30 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 29) and mitomycin-C 10 mg/m(2) (day 1), every 8 weeks for 6 months., Results: The median follow-up time was 60.6 months, 92 patients died, and 93 patients had recurrent disease. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 85.9% for stage IB, 72.1% for stage II, 58.0% for stage IIIA, and 48.2% for stage IIIB (p=0.002). The 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were 85.2% for stage IB, 71.2% for stage II, 53.3% for stage IIIA, and 39.2% for stage IIIB (p<0.001). A total of 769 cycles of chemotherapy were delivered, and 15 patients experienced grade 3 or higher leukopenia. The most common grade 3 or higher non-hematologic toxicity was nausea/vomiting (11 patients), followed by stomatitis (3 patients)., Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy with FAM for 6 months for gastric carcinoma indicated comparable RFS and OS with an acceptable toxicity profile.