The Role of Plant Extracts in Alleviating Particulate Matter-induced Inflammation in Barrier-interrupted Skin / 대한피부과학회지

Background@#The adverse effects of particulate matter (PM) on the skin have been concerning recently. @*Objective@#We investigated PM induced inflammation on barrier-interrupted skin and relieving effects of plant extracts on PM-induced skin irritation. @*Methods@#A total of 20 participants were enrolled for the induction of skin irritation. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) patch was affixed to the forearm for 24 hours. After patch removal, total suspended particulates (TSPs) were applied. After inducing skin irritation using SLS and TSP, cream containing 0.1% mixture of plant extracts (Citrus sunki, Sceptridium ternatum (Botrychium ternatum), and Korthalsella japonica) was applied. The a* value, erythema index (EI), and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured. @*Results@#The a* value was significantly higher at the site where TSPs were applied than that at the site where TSPs were not applied at 1 and 2 days after SLS patch removal. The a* value, EI, and TEWL were significantly low in the cream-applied area 7 days after the introduction of the SLS patch and TSPs. @*Conclusion@#PM induced skin irritation in a previously disrupted skin barrier. Topical application of plant extracts alleviated skin irritation symptoms caused by dust exposure.

The Role of Plant Extracts in Alleviating Particulate Matter-induced Inflammation in Barrier-interrupted Skin / 대한피부과학회지

Background@#The adverse effects of particulate matter (PM) on the skin have been concerning recently. @*Objective@#We investigated PM induced inflammation on barrier-interrupted skin and relieving effects of plant extracts on PM-induced skin irritation. @*Methods@#A total of 20 participants were enrolled for the induction of skin irritation. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) patch was affixed to the forearm for 24 hours. After patch removal, total suspended particulates (TSPs) were applied. After inducing skin irritation using SLS and TSP, cream containing 0.1% mixture of plant extracts (Citrus sunki, Sceptridium ternatum (Botrychium ternatum), and Korthalsella japonica) was applied. The a* value, erythema index (EI), and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured. @*Results@#The a* value was significantly higher at the site where TSPs were applied than that at the site where TSPs were not applied at 1 and 2 days after SLS patch removal. The a* value, EI, and TEWL were significantly low in the cream-applied area 7 days after the introduction of the SLS patch and TSPs. @*Conclusion@#PM induced skin irritation in a previously disrupted skin barrier. Topical application of plant extracts alleviated skin irritation symptoms caused by dust exposure.

SARS-CoV-2-Specific T Cell Responses in Patients with COVID-19 and Unexposed Individuals

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an ongoing pandemic disease. In the current review, we describe SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell responses in acute and convalescent COVID-19 patients. We also discuss the relationships between COVID-19 severity and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses and summarize recent reports regarding SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells in SARS-CoV-2-unexposed individuals. These T cells may be cross-reactive cells primed by previous infection with human common-cold coronaviruses. Finally, we outline SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses in the context of vaccination. A better understanding of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses is needed to develop effective vaccines and therapeutics.

Suppressor of Variegation 3–9 Homolog 2, a Novel Binding Protein of Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein, Regulates Cancer Cell Proliferation

Suppressor of Variegation 3–9 Homolog 2 (SUV39H2) methylates the lysine 9 residue of histone H3 and induces heterochromatin formation, resulting in transcriptional repression or silencing of target genes. SUV39H1 and SUV39H2 have a role in embryonic development, and SUV39H1 was shown to suppress cell cycle progression associated with Rb. However, the function of human SUV39H2 has not been extensively studied. We observed that forced expression of SUV39H2 decreased cell proliferation by inducing G1 cell cycle arrest. In addition, SUV39H2 was degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway. Using yeast two-hybrid screening to address the degradation mechanism and function of SUV39H2, we identified translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) as an SUV39H2-interacting molecule. Mapping of the interacting regions indicated that the N-terminal 60 amino acids (aa) of full-length SUV39H2 and the C-terminus of TCTP (120–172 aa) were critical for binding. The interaction of SUV39H2 and TCTP was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining for colocalization. Moreover, depletion of TCTP by RNAi led to up-regulation of SUV39H2 protein, while TCTP overexpression reduced SUV39H2 protein level. The half-life of SUV39H2 protein was significantly extended upon TCTP depletion. These results clearly indicate that TCTP negatively regulates the expression of SUV39H2 post-translationally. Furthermore, SUV39H2 induced apoptotic cell death in TCTP-knockdown cells. Taken together, we identified SUV39H2, as a novel target protein of TCTP and demonstrated that SUV39H2 regulates cell proliferation of lung cancer cells.

Endodontic biofilms: contemporary and future treatment options

Apical periodontitis is a biofilm-mediated infection. The biofilm protects bacteria from host defenses and increase their resistance to intracanal disinfecting protocols. Understanding the virulence of these endodontic microbiota within biofilm is essential for the development of novel therapeutic procedures for intracanal disinfection. Both the disruption of biofilms and the killing of their bacteria are necessary to effectively treat apical periodontitis. Accordingly, a review of endodontic biofilm types, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and current and future therapeutic procedures for endodontic biofilm is provided.

Herpes Zoster DNA Vaccines with IL-7 and IL-33 Molecular Adjuvants Elicit Protective T Cell Immunity

Herpes zoster (HZ), or shingles, is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) from the sensory ganglia when VZV-specific T-cell immunity is decreased because of aging or immunosuppression. In the present study, we developed HZ DNA vaccine candidates encoding VZV proteins and cytokine adjuvants, such as IL-7 and IL-33. We immunized C57BL/6 mice with DNA plasmids encoding VZV glycoprotein E (gE), immediate early (IE) 63, or IE62 proteins and found that robust VZV protein-specific T-cell responses were elicited by HZ DNA vaccination. Co-administration of DNA plasmids encoding IL-7 or IL-33 in HZ DNA vaccination significantly enhanced the magnitude of VZV protein-specific T-cell responses. Protective immunity elicited by HZ DNA vaccination was proven by challenge experiments with a surrogate virus, vaccinia virus expressing gE (VV-gE). A single dose of HZ DNA vaccine strongly boosted gE-specific T-cell responses in mice with a history of previous infection by VV-gE. Thus, HZ DNA vaccines with IL-7 and IL-33 adjuvants strongly elicit protective immunity.

Comparing the effects of intake of sugar containing different levels of D-ribose in sugar on glycemic index and blood glucose response in healthy adults / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: To compare the extent to which three different levels of D-ribose in sugar reduce the glycemic index (GI) and blood glucose response in healthy adults. METHODS: Healthy adults (eight male and six female participants, n = 14) fasted for 14~16 h after eating the same dinner. Participants were then randomized to receive glucose, sucrose, sucrose containing 5% D-ribose (RB5), sucrose containing 10% D-ribose (RB10), or sucrose containing 14% D-ribose (RB14) every week on the same day for 10 weeks (repeating the sample twice). Blood samples were collected by finger prick before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after starting to eat. RESULTS: We observed a decreased glycemic response to sucrose containing D-ribose. GIs for sucrose, RB5, RB10, and RB14 were 67.39, 67.07, 47.57, and 45.62, respectively. GI values for sucrose and RB5 were similar to those for foods with a medium GI, and GI values for RB10 and RB14 were similar to those for foods with a low GI. The postprandial maximum blood glucose rise (Cmax) with RB14 was the lowest among the test foods. Cmax values for RB10 and RB14 were significantly lower than that for sucrose. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that sucrose containing D-ribose has an acute suppressive effect on GI and Cmax. In addition, D-ribose active elements in sugar may be effective in preventing blood glucose spikes induced by sucrose intake.

Effect of xylobiose-sugar mixture on defecation frequency and symptoms in young women with constipation / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of xylobiose-sugar mixture intake on defecation frequency and constipation symptoms in 31 young women with constipation. METHODS: Thirty-one subjects were assigned to two groups, and subjects in each group were administered 10 g of a 7% xylobiose-sugar mixture (Experiment 1: XBS, n = 15) or 10 g of a 7% xylobiose-sugar mixture containing coffee mix (Experiment 2: XBS coffee mix, n = 16) twice per day for 6 weeks. During the study, clinical efficacy was assessed by a daily diary record. The subjects recorded their defecation frequency and fecal characteristics. RESULTS: During pretreatment week, mean defecation frequency of XBS subjects was 2.13 times/week, whereas that of XBS coffee mix subjects was 1.56 times/week. The mean defecation frequencies of XBS and XBS coffee mix subjects increased significantly to 3.73 times/week (p < 0.05) and 3.56 times/week by week 6 (p < 0.05), respectively. After treatment with either XBS or XBS coffee mix, patients presented significant improvements in their amounts of stool, feelings of residual stool leftness, and abdominal pain symptoms (p < 0.05). The total constipation scoring system (CSS) for diagnosing constipation symptoms significantly decreased in the XBS group (10.53 score vs 7.22 score) and in the XBS coffee mix group (10.75 score vs 6.51 score) after 6 weeks. Improvement due to intake of 7% xylobiose-containing sugar seemed to last during the experimental period. CONCLUSION: The addition of approximately 7% xylobiose to commercially available sweeteners has been shown to improve constipation.

Increased humoral antibody response of foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccine in growing pigs pre-treated with poly-γ-glutamic acid

This study was conducted to determine if humoral antibody response of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine improved in 8-week-old growing pigs born to well-vaccinated sows pre-treated with 60 mg of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) three days before vaccination. Antibody against FMD virus serotype O was measured 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks post-vaccination, using a PrioCHECK FMDV type O ELISA kit. The results showed that positive antibody reactions against FMDV serotype O antigen among a component of the vaccine significantly increased in response to pre-injection with γ-PGA.

Development of a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for the quantification of simvastatin acid, the active metabolite of simvastatin, in human plasma

Simvastatin is a lipid-lowering drug that is metabolized to its active metabolite simvastatin acid (SA). We developed and validated a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method to quantitate SA in human plasma using a liquid-liquid extraction method with methanol. The protonated analytes generated in negative ion mode were monitored by multiple reaction monitoring. Using 500-mL plasma aliquots, SA was quantified in the range of 0.1-100 ng/mL. Calibration was performed by internal standardization with lovastatin acid, and regression curves were generated using a weighting factor of 1/χ2. The linearity, precision, and accuracy of this assay for each compound were validated using quality control samples consisting of mixtures of SA (0.1, 0.5, 5, and 50 ng/mL) and plasma. The intra-batch accuracy was 95.3-107.8%, precision was -2.2% to -3.7%, and linearity (r2) was over 0.998 in the standard calibration range. The chromatographic running time was 3.0 min. This method sensitively and reliably measured SA concentrations in human plasma and was successfully used in clinical pharmacokinetic studies of simvastatin in healthy Korean adult male volunteers.

Effect of varying levels of xylobiose in sugar on glycemic index and blood glucose response in healthy adults / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of three different levels of xylobiose containing sucrose on glycemic indices based on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and blood glucose response in healthy adults. METHODS: Healthy adults (six male and five female participants, n = 11) underwent 14~16 hr of fasting. Subsequently, all participants took 50 g of available carbohydrates from glucose, sucrose containing 7% xylobiose (XB 7), sucrose containing 10% xylobiose (XB 10), or sucrose containing 14% xylobiose (XB 14) every week on the same day for 8 weeks. Finger prick blood was taken before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after starting to eat. RESULTS: We observed reduction of the glycemic response to sucrose containing xylobiose. The glycemic indices of XB 7, XB 10, and XB 14 were 57.0, 53.6, and 49.7, respectively. The GI values of XB 7 were similar to those of foods with medium GI, and the GI values of XB 10 and XB 14 were similar to those of foods with low GI. The postprandial maximum blood glucose rise (Cmax) of XB 14 was the lowest among the test foods. XB 7, XB 10, and XB 14 showed significantly lower areas under the glucose curve (AUC) for 0~30 min, 0~60 min, 0~90 min and 0~120 min compared to glucose. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that sucrose containing xylobiose has an acute suppressive effect on GI and postprandial maximum blood glucose rise. In addition, levels of xylobiose in sugar may allow more precise assessment of carbohydrate tolerance despite lower glycemic responses in a dose-dependent manner.

Cytomegalovirus Infection and Memory T Cell Inflation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in healthy individuals is usually asymptomatic and results in latent infection. CMV reactivation occasionally occurs in healthy individuals according to their immune status over time. T cell responses to CMV are restricted to a limited number of immunodominant epitopes, as compared to responses to other chronic or persistent viruses. This response results in progressive, prolonged expansion of CMV-specific CD8+ T cells, termed 'memory inflation'. The expanded CMV-specific CD8+ T cell population is extraordinarily large and is more prominent in the elderly. CMV-specific CD8+ T cells possess rather similar phenotypic and functional features to those of replicative senescent T cells. In this review, we discuss the general features of CMV-specific inflationary memory T cells and the factors involved in memory inflation.

An Anesthetic Experience in a Patient with Niemann-Pick Disease: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) is an autosomal recessive, lipid storage disorder caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme sphingomyelinase or defective cholesterol transport from lysosome to cytosol. The clinical symptoms and signs include dysphagia, loss of motor function, hepatosplenomegaly, recurred respiratory infections, seizure, mental retardation, spasticity, myoclonic jerks and ataxia, but vary depending on the type of this disease. We report a successful anesthetic experience, including endotracheal intubation with Glidescope under propofol and remifentanil infusion without neuromuscular blockade, in a 21-year old woman with Niemann-Pick disease for wound revision of gastrostomy site.

Effect of daxapram on recovery following total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of doxapram on recovery following propofol-remifentanil anesthesia. METHODS: Forty patients scheduled for gastrectomy were randomly allocated to receive either doxapram 1 mg/kg or normal saline at the end of surgery under propofol-remifentanil anesthesia. Clinical recovery from anesthesia was assessed by times to spontaneous breathing, eye opening on verbal command, extubation, and discharge from the postanesthetic care unit (PACU). Bispectral index (BIS) values, blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded every 2 min for 16 min after the administration of doxapram or saline. The incidences of side effects were checked in the recovery room. RESULTS: Spontaneous breathing was recovered after 6.2 +/- 1.1 minutes in the Doxapram group versus 9.2 +/- 1.8 minutes in the normal saline group (P < 0.001). Times to eye and extubation were also shorter in the Doxapram patients than in the normal saline patients (6.9 +/- 1.0 and 8.1 +/- 1.7 min versus 10.4 +/- 2.0 and 12.0 +/- 2.6 min, respectively) (P < 0.001). However, the times to PACU discharge were not different between the two groups (46.9 +/- 4.9 min versus 47.0 +/- 6.0 min, respectively). The patients in the Doxapram group showed higher mean BIS values compared with the normal saline group during emergence, but there were no differences in arterial blood pressure, heart rate and incidences of side effects between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Doxapram 1 mg/kg hastens early recovery from TIVA with propofol and remifentanil, and this emergence effect correlates with higher BIS values. Doxapram, however, does not affect the discharge time from the PACU and incidences of side effects.

Effect of daxapram on recovery following total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of doxapram on recovery following propofol-remifentanil anesthesia. METHODS: Forty patients scheduled for gastrectomy were randomly allocated to receive either doxapram 1 mg/kg or normal saline at the end of surgery under propofol-remifentanil anesthesia. Clinical recovery from anesthesia was assessed by times to spontaneous breathing, eye opening on verbal command, extubation, and discharge from the postanesthetic care unit (PACU). Bispectral index (BIS) values, blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded every 2 min for 16 min after the administration of doxapram or saline. The incidences of side effects were checked in the recovery room. RESULTS: Spontaneous breathing was recovered after 6.2 +/- 1.1 minutes in the Doxapram group versus 9.2 +/- 1.8 minutes in the normal saline group (P < 0.001). Times to eye and extubation were also shorter in the Doxapram patients than in the normal saline patients (6.9 +/- 1.0 and 8.1 +/- 1.7 min versus 10.4 +/- 2.0 and 12.0 +/- 2.6 min, respectively) (P < 0.001). However, the times to PACU discharge were not different between the two groups (46.9 +/- 4.9 min versus 47.0 +/- 6.0 min, respectively). The patients in the Doxapram group showed higher mean BIS values compared with the normal saline group during emergence, but there were no differences in arterial blood pressure, heart rate and incidences of side effects between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Doxapram 1 mg/kg hastens early recovery from TIVA with propofol and remifentanil, and this emergence effect correlates with higher BIS values. Doxapram, however, does not affect the discharge time from the PACU and incidences of side effects.

Pressure sore after Cesarean section under epidural anesthesia and analgesia: Two cases report / 대한마취과학회지

Epidural anesthesia and analgesia provide a better outcome after major surgery. Several complications such as hypotension, motor block and dural puncture are well known. Epidural anesthesia and analgesia may also cause pressures sore in elderly and debilitated patients. Prolonged soft tissue compression results in discomfort and pain secondary to local ischemia in normal individuals. The presence of hypotension, hypothermia and the interruption of venous or lymphatic drainage of the lower extremities, as well as the lack of frequent repositioning, are all contributing factors to the development of pressure sore. We describe a pressure sore that occurred in two young and healthy parturients after epidural anesthesia and analgesia.