Prenatal mold exposure is associated with development of atopic dermatitis in infants through allergic inflammation / Exposição pré-natal a mofo está associada ao desenvolvimento de dermatite atópicaem neonatos por reação alérgica

Abstract Objective Mold exposure in early life may be associated with development of atopic dermatitis; however, studies of this link are inconclusive and evidence for the underlying mechanism(s) is lacking. This study identified the association between the time of mold exposure and development of atopic dermatitis and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Method The association between atopic dermatitis and mold exposure was examined in the Cohort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and Allergic Diseases birth cohort study (n = 1446). Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed at 1 year of age by pediatric allergists. Exposure to mold was assessed by questionnaire. The Illumina MiSeq platform was used to examine the environmental mycobiome in 20 randomly selected healthy infants and 20 infants with atopic dermatitis at 36 weeks of gestation. Results Prenatal, but not postnatal, mold exposure was significantly associated with atopic dermatitis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.83). Levels of total serum IgE at 1 year of age were higher in infants with atopic dermatitis exposed to mold during pregnancy than in healthy infants not exposed to mold during pregnancy (p = 0.021). The relative abundance of uncultured Ascomycota was higher in infants with atopic dermatitis than in healthy infants. The relative abundance of uncultured Ascomycota correlated with total serum IgE levels at 1 year of age (r = 0.613, p < 0.001). Conclusion Indoor mold exposure during the fetal period is associated with development of atopic dermatitis via IgE-mediated allergic inflammation. Avoidance of mold exposure during this critical period might prevent the development of atopic dermatitis.

Resumo Objetivo A exposição ao mofo no início da vida pode estar associada ao desenvolvimento de dermatite atópica; contudo, os estudos sobre esse vínculo são inconclusivos e faltam evidências dos mecanismos subjacentes. Identificamos a associação entre o momento da exposição ao mofo e o desenvolvimento de dermatite atópica e investigamos os mecanismos subjacentes. Método A associação entre dermatite atópica e exposição a mofo foi examinada em um estudo de coorte de nascimento da Origem da Asma e de Doenças Alérgicas em Crianças (COCOA) (n = 1446). A dermatite atópica foi diagnosticada em pacientes com um ano de vida por pediatras alergistas. A exposição ao mofo foi avaliada por um questionário. A plataforma Illumina MiSeq foi utilizada para examinar o microbioma ambiental em 20 neonatos saudáveis escolhidos aleatoriamente e 20 com dermatite atópica a 36 semanas de gestação. Resultados A exposição pré-natal, porém não pós-natal, ao mofo foi significativamente associada à dermatite atópica (razão de chances ajustada, 1,36; intervalo de confiança de 95%, 1,01-1,83). Os níveis séricos totais de Imunoglobulina E (IgE) no primeiro ano de vida foram maiores em neonatos com dermatite atópica expostos a mofo durante a gravidez do que em neonatos não expostos a mofo durante a gravidez (p = 0,021). A abundância relativa de Ascomycota não cultivado foi maior em neonatos com dermatite atópica do que em neonatos saudáveis. A abundância relativa de Ascomycota não cultivado correlacionou-se com os níveis séricos totais de IgE no primeiro ano de vida (r = 0,613, p < 0,001). Conclusão A exposição ao mofo no ambiente domiciliar durante a gravidez está associada ao desenvolvimento de dermatite atópica por meio de reação alérgica mediada por IgE. A prevenção à exposição ao mofo durante o período crítico da gravidez pode prevenir o desenvolvimento de dermatite atópica.

Effects of professional oral hygiene care in patients with head-and-neck cancer during radiotherapy: A randomized clinical trial

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of professional oral hygiene care in patients with head-and-neck cancer during radiotherapy, a clinical trial was done. Subjects and Methods: Forty patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. For the experimental group, professional oral hygiene care, toothbrushing education, and fluoride varnish application were done once per a week, and for control group, only fluoride varnish application was done once per a week for 8 weeks during radiotherapy. Oral examination including plaque and gingival index was done at baseline and after 8 weeks. Results: The results demonstrated that plaque index was improved in the experimental group, but there was no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). Plague and gingival status were significantly improved in both groups after 8 weeks compared to those of baseline (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Regular dental visit and professional oral hygiene care during radiotherapy were effective in oral hygiene and health among patients with head-and-neck cancer.

Bedside prediction of right subclavian venous catheter insertion length / Previsão do comprimento de inserção de cateter em veia subclávia direita à beira do leito / Previsión a pie de cama de la extensión de inserción de catéter en vena subclavia derecha

Background and objective: The present study aimed to evaluate whether right subclavian vein (SCV) catheter insertion depth can be predicted reliably by the distances from the SCV insertion site to the ipsilateral clavicular notch directly (denoted as I-IC), via the top of the SCV arch, or via the clavicle (denoted as I-T-IC and I-C-IC, respectively). Method: In total, 70 SCV catheterizations were studied. The I-IC, I-T-IC, and I-C-IC distances in each case were measured after ultrasound-guided SCV catheter insertion. The actual length of the catheter between the insertion site and the ipsilateral clavicular notch, denoted as L, was calculated by using chest X-ray. Results: L differed from the I-T-IC, I-C-IC, and I-IC distances by 0.14±0.53, 2.19±1.17, and -0.45 ±0.68 cm, respectively. The mean I-T-IC distance was the most similar to the mean L (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.89). The mean I-IC was significantly shorter than L, while the mean I-C-IC was significantly longer. Linear regression analysis provided the following formula: Predicted SCV catheter insertion length (cm) = -0.037 + 0.036 × Height (cm) + 0.903 × I-T-IC (cm) (adjusted r2 =0.64). Conclusion: The I-T-IC distance may be a reliable bedside predictor of the optimal insertion length for a right SCV cannulation. .

Justificativa e objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar se a profundidade de inserção de cateter em veia subclávia (VSC) direita pode ser prevista de forma confiável pelas distâncias do local de inserção na VSC até a incisura clavicular ipsilateral (I-IC), passando diretamente pela parte superior do arco da VSC ou da clavícula (denominadas i-T-IC e i-C-IC, respectivamente). Método: No total, 70 cateterismos de VSC foram estudados. As distâncias I-IC, I-T-IC e I-C-IC de cada caso foram mensuradas após a inserção do cateter guiada por ultrassom. O comprimento do cateter entre o local de inserção e a incisura clavicular ipsilateral (L) foi calculado por meio de radiografia. Resultados: As diferenças em centímetros de L em relação às distâncias I-T-IC, I-C-IC e I-IC foram de 0,14±0,53; 2,19±1,17 e 0,45±0,68 respectivamente. A média de I-IC foi significativamente menor que L, enquanto a média de I-C-IC foi significativamente maior. A análise de regressão linear forneceu a seguinte fórmula: Comprimento previsto da inserção de cateter em VSC (cm) = -0,037 + 0,036 × Altura (cm) + 0,903 × I-T-IC (cm) (r2 ajustado = 0,64). Conclusão: A distância I-T-IC pode ser um preditivo confiável do comprimento de inserção ideal para canulação em VSC direita. .

Introducción y objetivo: El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar si la profundidad de inserción de catéter en vena subclavia (VSC) derecha puede ser prevista de forma confiable por las distancias del lugar de inserción en la VSC hasta la incisión clavicular ipsilateral (denominada I-IC), pasando directamente por la parte superior del arco de la VSC o de la clavícula (denominadas I-T-IC y I-C-IC, respectivamente). Método: En total se estudiaron 70 cateterismos de VSC. Las distancias I-IC, I-T-IC e I-C-IC de cada caso fueron medidas después de la inserción del catéter guiada por ultrasonido. La extensión del catéter entre la región de inserción y la incisión clavicular ipsilateral, denominada L, fue calculada por medio de radiografía. Resultados: Las diferencias en centímetros de L con relación a las distancias I-I- IC, I-C-IC e I-IC fueron de 0,14±0,53, 2,19±1,17 y 0,45±0,68, respectivamente. La media de I-IC fue significativamente menor que L, mientras que la media de I-C-IC fue significativamente mayor. El análisis de regresión linear suministró la siguiente fórmula: Extensión prevista de la inserción de catéter en VSC (cm) = -0,037 + 0,036 × altura (cm) + 0,903 × I-T-IC (cm) (r2 ajustado = 0,64). Conclusión: La distancia I-T-IC puede ser un predictor confiable de la extensión de la inserción ideal para la canalización en la VSC derecha. .

Ethyl acetate fraction from Angelica sinensis inhibits IL-1ß-induced rheumatoid synovial fibroblast proliferation and COX-2, PGE2, and MMPs production

BACKGROUND: The root of Angelica sinensis (AS), also known as "Dang-gui," was a popular herbal medicine widely used in the treatment of gynecological diseases in China, Korea, and Japan for a long time. This study aimed to determine the effects of ethyl acetate fraction from Angelica sinensis (EAAS) on the interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß)-induced proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs), and production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), involved in articular bone and cartilage destruction, by RASFs. RESULTS: RASF proliferation was evaluated with cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) reagent in the presence of IL-1ß with/without EAAS. Expression of MMPs, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), COXs, PGE2, and intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecules, including p-ERK, p-p38, p-JNK, and NF-κB, were examined using immunoblotting or semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. EAAS inhibited IL-1ß-induced RASF proliferation; MMP-1, MMP-3, and COX-2 mRNA and protein expressions; and PGE2 production. EAAS also inhibits the phosphorylation of ERK-1/2, p38, and JNK, and activation of NF-κB by IL-1ß. CONCLUSION: EAAS might be a new therapeutic modality for rheumatoid arthritis management.

SoSoSo or its active ingredient chrysophanol regulates production of inflammatory cytokines & adipokine in both macrophages & adipocytes.

SoSoSo or its active ingredient chrysophanol regulates production of inflammatory cytokines & adipokine in both macrophages & adipocytes Hong-Kun Rim++, Phil-Dong Moon++, In-Hwa Choi*, Eun-Hee Lee**, Hyung-Min Kim & Hyun-Ja Jeong+ Department of Pharmacology, *Department of Oriental Dermatology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul,**Division of Beauty Arts, Jeonbuk Science College, Jeongeup, Jeonbuk &+Biochip Research Center, Hoseo University, 165 Sechul-ri, Baebang-myun, Asan, Chungnam, Republic of Korea Received November 11, 2010 Background & objectives: Obesity is now considered as a major risk factor for the development of fatty liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and atherosclerosis. SoSoSo is a newly developed dietary supplement made of seven medicinal herbs. This study was aimed at examining the anti-obesity effect of SoSoSo or its active ingredient chrysophanol on the production of inflammatory cytokines and adipokine in macrophyage cell line RAW264 and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: No release was measured as a form of nitrite by Griess method. The production of inflammatory cytokines and adipokine were measured with the ELISA method. The m-RNA expression of each cytokine and adipokine were measured using RT-PCR. The nuclear proteins for NF-κB were analyzed with western blotting. Results: SoSoSo or chrysophanol significantly inhibited the nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264 cells as well as in RAW264 cells-conditioned medium (CM)-treated 3T3-L1 cells. The production of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were inhibited by SoSoSo or chrysophanol. In addition, SoSoSo or chrysophanol inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB in RAW264 cells. SoSoSo or chrysophanol inhibited the productions of IL-6, TNF-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 as well as the reduction of adiponectin production in CM-treated 3T3-L1 cells. Interpretation & conclusions: These results suggest a potential of SoSoSo or chrysophanol as a source of anti-inflammatory agent for obesity. Further in vivo studies would be required to confirm these findings.

Two cases of pulmonary and pleural sparganosis confirmed by tissue biopsy and immunoserology

Sparganosis in humans is an incidental infection and is known to be associated with eating insufficiently cooked meat of frogs and snakes or drinking unboiled stream water. Although it can involve various internal organs, pulmonary and pleural involvement due to sparganum is rare. Because we recently experienced two cases involving lung parenchyma and pleura that were misdiagnosed as bacterial pneumonia and lung cancer, we herein intend to present them in detail.

Paleoparasitological report on Ascaris aDNA from an ancient East Asian sample

In this study, Ascaris DNA was extracted and sequenced from a medieval archaeological sample in Korea. While Ascaris eggs were confirmed to be of human origin by archaeological evidence, it was not possible to pinpoint the exact species due to close genetic relationships among them. Despite this shortcoming, this is the first Ascaris ancient DNA (aDNA) report from a medieval Asian country and thus will expand the scope of Ascaris aDNA research.

Ethyl acetate fraction from Cudrania tricuspidata inhibts IL-1β-induced rheumatoid synovial fibroblast proliferation and MMPs, COX-2 and PGE2 production

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the effects of Ethyl acetate fraction from Cudrania tricuspidata (EACT) on the interleukin-1b (IL-1b)-induced proliferation of rheumatoid synovial fbroblasts (RASFs) and production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cyclooxygenase (COX) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by RASFs. Materials and Methods: The proliferation of RASFs was evaluated with CCK-8 reagent in the presence of IL-1b with/without EACT. The expression of MMPs, TIMP-1, COXs, PGE2 and intracellular MAPK signalings, including p-ERK, p-p38, p-JNK and NF-kB were examined by immunoblotting or semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ELISA in conditions as described above. Results: EACT inhibits IL-1β-induced proliferation of RASFs and MMP-1, 3, COX-2 mRNA and protein expression, PGE2 production induced with IL-1b. EACT also inhibits the phosphorylation of ERK-1/2, p38, JNK and activation of NF-kB by IL-1b. Conclusions: These results suggest that EACT might be involved in synovial fbroblast proliferation and MMPs, COX-2, and PGE2 production, which are involved in joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), indicating that this might be a new therapeutic modality for management of rheumatoid arthritis.