Quantification of the Bioactive Components of the Rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin and Assessment of Its Anti-inflammatory Effect in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-1 Cells

In this study, the marker compounds of Curcumae Rhizoma (CR) were simultaneously quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photodiode array detector and the anti-inflammatory effects of CR extract and marker compounds in human benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial-1 (BPH-1) cell lines were investigated. The marker components (4S,5S)-(+)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide, furanodienone, and germacrone, were separated on Gemini C₁₈ columns (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) at 40 ℃ by using a gradient of two mobile phases eluting at 1.0 mL/min. Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels in Human BPH-1 cells were determined with an ELISA kit. The coefficients of determination in a calibration curve of each analyte were all 0.9997. The limits of detection and quantification of the three compounds were 0.10 – 0.32 µg/mL and 0.30 – 0.98 µg/mL, respectively. The content of three compounds, (4S,5S)-(+)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide, furanodienone, and germacrone, in the CR sample were found to be 5.79 – 5.92 mg/g, 4.72 – 4.86 mg/g, and 1.06 – 1.09 mg/g, respectively. Regarding pharmacological activity against benign prostatic hyperplasia, CR and its components significantly suppressed PGE₂ levels of BPH-1 cells. The established analysis method will help to improve quality assessment of CR samples and related products. In addition, CR and its components exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in BPH-1 cells, suggesting the inhibitory efficacy of these compounds against the pathogenesis of BPH.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia plebeia R. Br extract in vitro and in ovalbumin-induced mouse model

BACKGROUND: Asthma is an increasing global health problem, and novel strategies to prevent or ameliorate the condition are needed. Here, the effects of 80 % ethanol extracts of Salvia plebeia R. Br. (SE) on an induced inflammatory response were investigated RESULTS: Salvia plebeia R. Br. inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, as well as nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. NO and pro-inflammatory cytokine production was suppressed more effectively by SE of the aerial parts (SE-A) than of the roots (SE-R) of S. plebeia. In BEAS-2B cells, both SE-A and SE-R inhibited the increase in production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8. We also investigated the antiasthmatic effects of SE in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced BALB/c mouse model. SE-A treatment significantly reduced the number of airway eosinophils, IL-4 and IL-13 levels, mucus production, and inflammatory infiltration, as compared with the corresponding levels in the untreated, OVA-induced mice, and had similar effects to dexamethasone CONCLUSIONS: Salvia plebeia ethanol extract ameliorated the induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 and BEAS-2B cells, with more effective inhibition noted for SE-A than for SE-R. SE-A treatment was effective in improving the histopathological changes in the lungs of asthma model mice via modulation of eosinophils and Th2 cytokines. These results suggest that SE-A can be considered as a therapeutic agent that can potentially relieve asthma

NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase-1 silencing modulates cytoprotection related protein expression in cisplatin cytotoxicity

NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) is a down-stream target gene of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and performs diverse biological functions. Recently, NQO1 is recognized as an effective gene for the cytotoxic inserts with its diverse biological functions, which is focused on antioxidant properties. The aim of present study was to assess the impact of NQO1 knockdown on cytoprotection-related protein expression in cisplatin cytotoxicity by using small interfering (si) RNA targeted on NQO1 gene. Cytotoxicity of cisplatin on ACHN cells was assessed in a dose- and time-dependent manner after siScramble or siNQO1 treatment. After cisplatin treatment, cells were subjected to cell viability assay, western-blot analysis, and immunofluorescence study. The cell viability was decreased in the siNQO1 cells (50%) than the siScramble cells (70%) after 24 h of cisplatin (20 µM) treatment. Moreover, cytoprotection-related protein expressions were markedly suppressed in the siNQO1 cells after cisplatin treatment. The expression of Nrf2 and Klotho were decreased by 20% and 40%, respectively, of that in siScramble cells. Nrf2 and Klotho activation were also decreased in cisplatin treated siNQO1 cells, confirmed by cytoplasm-to-nuclear translocation. Our findings demonstrate that the increased cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity was accompanied by suppressed Nrf2 activation and Klotho expression in siNQO1 cells.

A Study of Emergency Room Nurses' Burn-out, Nursing Performance, and Professional Identity / 산업간호학회지

This study was done to examine ER nurses' burn-out, as an understanding in the relationship of nursing performance and professional identity. The subjects of the study were nurses working in the emergency room of the general hospital with over 300 beds, located in D metropolitan city and C city. The self-report questionnaires were administered and 120 were collected. For the data analysis, SPSS WIN 12.0 was used. ER nurses' burn-out was 2.99, the mean of nursing performance was 3.69, and professional identity was 3.51. The extent of ER nurses' burn-out showed significantly negative correlation with the extent of nursing performance(r=-.257), along with professional identity(r=-.192). While ER nurses' nursing performance showed significantly positive correlation with professional identity(r=.696). In conclusion, the higher professional identity, the fewer ER nurses experienced burn-out, and the higher extent of nursing performance was obtained. It is necessary to create activities and programs to reduce and prevent burn-out.

Roles of Gonadal Steroids on Exocrine Secretion of Isolated Perfused Rat Pancreas

To clarify the roles of gonadal steroids on pancreatic exocrine secretion, effects of progesterone and estradiol-17beta on spontaneous and secretagogue-induced exocrine response of isolated perfused rat pancreas were investigated. Intra-arterial infusion of progesterone resulted in significant increase of the spontaneous pancreatic fluid and amylase secretion dose-dependently. However, estradiol-17beta did not exert any influence on spontaneous pancreatic exocrine secretion. Exogenous secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK), and acetylcholine markedly stimulated pancreatic fluid and amylase secretion. Progesterone initially enhanced secretin-induced amylase secretion, but this stimulatory response declined thereafter to basal value. Moreover, secretin-induced fluid secretion was not affected by infusion of progesterone. Therefore, initial increase of secretion-induced amylase secretion by progesterone seems to be a non-specific action by washout effect of secretin. Estradiol-17beta failed to change the secretin-induced fluid and amylase secretion. Both progesterone and estradiol-17beta did not exert any influence on CCK-induced fluid and amylase secretion. Acetylcholine-induced exocrine secretion of isolated perfused pancreas also was not affected by intra-arterial infusion of progesterone or estradiol-17beta. It is concluded from the above results that progesterone could enhance the spontaneous pancreatic fluid and amylase secretion of isolated perfused rat pancreas through non-genomic short- term action, and that these effects could be masked by more potent stimulants such as secretin, CCK, and acetylcholine.

Morphological study of neuropeptide Y immunoreactive neurons (NPY-IR) of telencephalon in developing chick / 대한해부학회지

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was a 36-amino acid peptide that biochemical structure to be resemble the pancreatic polypeptide in mammalian and it was first isolated from porcine brain by Tatemoto et al. (1982). It is now known to neurotransmitter or neuromodulator as well as it has important effects to sexual precocity, regulation of feeding behavior and function of pituitary gland in avians. The distribution and morphological study of NPY-immunoreactive neurons (NPY-IR) is studied in many experimental animal but in developing chick brain have been not studied. The present study provided the distribution and morphological study of NPY-IR in developing chick brain. The developing brain of Korean native chicks embryos at E8, E10, E12, E14, E16, E18, and E20 days of incubation were used. Experimental animals were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde through the left ventricle and aorta. The brains were removed and transferred 30% sucrose, and then cut on a cryostat into 60 mm-thick. The tissue immunostained with free-floating and avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method. The results obtained in this study are that followings. The numerous of NPY-IR first observed at E8 days in the telencephalon of neostriatum, ectostriatum, archistriatum intermedium pars ventralis, nucleus taeniae and paleostriatum agumentatum, at E12 days in telencephalon of hippocampus, at E14 days in telencephalon of hyperstriatum. In the telencephalon, NPY-IR distributed predominantly in neostriatum and ectostriatum. shape of neuron's that E8 days of incubation were oval shape neurons and increased days of chicks was sphere, oval and many multigonal shapes. Their processes were also omnidirectional. The process of neuron's that E8 days of incubation was observed a few and weak immunity and increased days of chicks was numerous and strong immunity. According to increasing the days the morphology of NPY-IR showed the tendency to increase their sizes and numbers. We suggest that the regional differences in the distribution of NPY-containing neuron types may reflect adaptations of local neuronal circuits for specialized functions.

Age-related Changes of the Cellularity and Acid Mucopolysaccharides in the Trabecular Meshwork of the Normal Korean

We evaluated thirty normal human eyes(aged from 22 to 95) to investigate the changes with age of the cellularity and acid mucopolysaccharides in the trabecular meshwork. The cellularities were evaluated from the number of the cells per unit area of trabecular meshwork and the number of cells per unit length of trabecular meshwork. In addition, acid mucopolysaccharides(AMS) were investigated by counter staining the trabecular meshwork specimens, with Van Gieson following colloidal iron. The results were as follows: 1. With age, cellularities of the whole trabecular meshwork and the counterpart of filtration region decreased significantly(p0.05). 2. The trabecular meshwork cellularity and the absolute number of cells were decreased by 40.0% and 35.9%, respectively, for those aged from 22 to 95. 3. There was no strong relation between the change of acid mucopolysaccharides of the trabecular meshwork and aging process. The grade +1 AMS was observed in 15 eyes(50.0%) and was the most prevalent.

Clinical Evaluation of the Interpupillary Distance and the Distance Between Optical Centers in Spectacles Wearers

The authors analysed the interpupillary distance, the distance between optical centers and the distance from the upper margin of the lens to the optical center in 297 spectacles wearers. The results were as follows: 1. Among the 297 glasses wearers, myopic glasses wearers accounted for 226 persons(76.09%), and hyperopic glasses wearers for 71 persons(23.91%). 2. Among the 297 glasses wearers, the distance between optical centers coincided with the interpupillary distance in 51 persons(17.17%), and was incongruous in 246 persons(82.83%). 3. Among the 297 glasses wearers, the distance from the upper margin of the lens to the optical center was the same in both eyes in 152 persons(51.19%), and was incongruous in 145 persons(48.81%). 4. Among the 246 persons in whom the distance between optical centers of their glasses did not coincide with the interpupillary distance, the horizontal prismatic effects of both eyes overpassed the aberration of tolerance of ophthalmic dispensing in 46 persons(18.70%), and the maximum horizontal prismatic effect of one eye was 5.85 prism diopters. 5. Among the 145 persons in whom the distance from the upper margin of the lens to the optical center of their glasses did not coincide in both eyes, the vertical prismatic effects overpassed the aberration of tolerance of ophthalmic dispensing in 48 persons(33.10%), and the maximum vertical prismatic effect was 2.47 prism diopters.

Clinical Evaluation of Fibrinous Membrane after Extracapsular Cataract Extraction

1380 extracapsular cataract extractions were perfomed from January, 1987 to August, 1988 at St. Mary's Hospital. Among them 88 eyes which developed postoperative fibrinous membrane were evaluated. The incidence of fibrinous membrane was about 6.4%. The fibrinous membrane was developed in 3 to 5 days and resolved within 15 days after surgery in most cases. Mild type of fibrinous membrane was most common and was located on the surgace of the intraocular lens in most cases. Although the presumed causes of the fibrinous membrane were uncertain yet, authors thought that inflammatory reactions from the intraoperative trauma, the remained lens cortex and the posterior chamber lens itself were the causative factors.

A Case of Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma in the Conjunctiva

Fibrous histiocytomas are complex group of tumors that feature cells resembling fibroblasts and histiocytes and that exhibit a cellular arrangement referred to as a storiform or cartwheel pattern. A 36 year old man was referred to our hospital with 2 months history of protruding mass in his right eye. Mass excision was performed and histopathologic examination including immunohistochemical stainning revealed malignant fibrous histiocytoma and he received radiation therapy.