Inhibition of Interleukin-4 and β-Hexosaminidase Release in RBL-2H3 Cells by Compounds Isolated from Lobelia chinensis

Lobelia chinensis Lour. has commonly been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of antidote, diuretic, diarrhea, and inflammation. This study aimed to identify the active compounds in an aqueous extract of L. chinensis responsible for its anti-atopic effect in vitro using RBL-2H3 cells. A chemical investigation of secondary metabolites in an aqueous extract of L. chinensis led to the isolation of nine chemical constituents, which included the four marker compounds, and these were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on IL-4 mRNA expression and the release of β-hexosaminidase in propidium iodide-induced RBL-2H3 cells. We found diosmetin and fraxidin inhibited cellular IL-4 mRNA expression, and that diosmetin and 6,8-dimethoxycoumarin inhibited DNP-specific IgE-induced degranulation in these cells. Our study suggests that diosmetin, fraxidin, and 6,8-dimethoxycoumarin are potential candidates for the treatment of atopic diseases.

Diosmetin and Its Glycoside, Diosmin, Improve Atopic DermatitisLike Lesions in 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Murine Models

Naturally derived diosmetin and its glycoside diosmin are known to be effective in treating inflammatory disease. This study was performed to determine whether diosmin and diosmetin have the effect of improving atopic dermatitis in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzen (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) model. DNCB was used to establish AD model in hairless mice. Skin moisture, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin 4 (IL-4), and histological analysis were performed to measure the effectiveness of diosmin and diosmetine to improve AD. IL-4 levels were also measured in RBL-2H3 cells. Administration of diosmetin or diosmin orally inhibited the progress of DNCB-induced AD-like lesions in murine models by inhibiting transdermal water loss (TEWL) and increasing skin hydration. Diosmetin or diosmin treatment also reduced IgE and IL-4 levels in AD-induced hairless mouse serum samples. However, in the in vitro assay, only diosmetin, not diosmin, reduced the expression level of IL-4 mRNA in RBL-2H3 cells. Diosmin and diosmetine alleviated the altered epidermal thickness and immune cell infiltration in AD. Diosmin is considered effective in the cure of AD and skin inflammatory diseases by being converted into diosmetin in the body by pharmacokinetic metabolism. Thus, oral administration of diosmetin and diosmin might be a useful agent for the treatment of AD and cutaneous inflammatory diseases.

Cytotoxic Constituents from the Roots of Asarum sieboldii in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the roots of Asarum sieboldii led to the isolation of the six compounds methylkakuol (1), sesamin (2), asarinin (3), xanthoxylol (4), and (2E,4E,8Z,10E/Z)-N-(2-methylpropyl) dodeca-2,4,8,10-tetraenamide (5/6). Among the isolates, xanthoxylol (4) exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 in vitro with IC₅₀ values of 9.15 and 13.95 µM, respectively.

Dioscorea japonica Thunb. Ethanolic Extract Attenuated Oxazolone-Induced Atopic Dermatitis-like Skin Lesions in BALB/c Mice

The rhizomes of Dioscorea japonica Thunb. are widely consumed as food and also used to treat diabetes and polyuria in Korea. This study was undertaken to study the anti-atopic dermatitis effects of a 95% ethanolic extract (DJE) of D. japonica in an oxazolone-stimulated murine model of atopic dermatitis (AD). The therapeutic effects of DJE on AD-like skin lesions were assessed on both ears. DJE (1%) or dexamethasone (0.5%; the positive control) were applied to skin lesions for three weeks. Serum levels of IgE and IL-4 were assessed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Histopathological examinations were performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and toluidine blue staining and revealed DJE significantly reduced dermal thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration when applied to oxazolone-treated ear skin. DJE-treated AD mice also showed lower serum levels of IgE and IL-4 than oxazolone-stimulated controls. Our findings demonstrate DJE might be a useful safe, topical agent for the treatment of atopic diseases.

Effects of salmon DNA fraction in vitro and in a monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis rat model

PRF001 is a fragmented DNA polymer extracted from the testes of salmon. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of PRF001 in vitro as well as the protective effect of PRF001 intake against arthritis in a rat model. In vitro, cell survival and inflammatory markers after H₂O₂ treatment to induce cell damage were investigated in CHON-001 cells treated with different concentrations of PRF001. In vivo, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) into the knee joints of rats. After consumption of PRF001 (10, 50, or 100 mg/kg) for 4 weeks, inflammatory mediators and cytokines in articular cartilage were investigated. In vitro, the levels of inflammatory markers, IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS, and PGE2, were significantly suppressed by PRF001 treatment. In vivo, the inflammatory mediators and cytokines, IL-1β, p-Erk1/2, NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2, and PGE2, as well as MMP3 and MMP7, which have catabolic activity in chondrocytes, were decreased in the MIA-induced osteoarthritic rats following intake of PRF001. Histological analysis revealed that PRF001 had a protective effect on the articular cartilage. Altogether, these results demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory property of PRF001 contributes to its protective effects in osteoarthritis through deregulating IL-1β, TNF-α, and subsequent signals, such as p-Erk1/2, NF-κB, COX-2, PGE2, and MMPs.

Corrigendum to: Effects of salmon DNA fraction in vitro and in a monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis rat model

The authors note that on pages 167 (Fig. 2A), 168 (Fig. 3A), and 169 (Fig. 4A), the figure label “RPF-001” should instead appear as “PRF-001.”

Clinical Usefulness of Point-of-care Test Chemistry Analyzer in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE: Point-of-care tests (POCTs) have the potential to significantly influence management of neonates. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical usefulness of the POCT chemistry analyzer in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: Blood samples of neonates admitted to the NICU were tested using a POCT chemistry analyzer (Piccolo Xpress Chemistry Analyzer, Abaxis, Union City, CA, USA) and a central laboratory chemical analyzer (Chemistry analyzer 7600-110, Hitachi Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) from March to September, 2010. Correlation of 15 analytes between the POCT and the central laboratory machine was evaluated. For consistency of the POCT, three consecutive samplings were performed. Differences among the three tests were recorded. The causes of performance errors were checked through log files. RESULTS: One hundred of 112 pairs of tests for accuracy performed in 54 neonates showed a high correlation between the two machines. Twelve performance errors occurred during the 112 tests. The most common error was insufficient sample error. Eighteen triplet tests performed in 18 patients for consistency revealed a difference range of 3-10%, which was considered to be acceptable. No error occurred during the 54 tests. CONCLUSION: The POCT is capable of analyzing multiple analytes with a minimal amount of whole blood in a short time. The few performance errors noted presently are likely preventable. This POCT is concluded to be suitable for use as a simple and rapid diagnostic method in the NICU with a minimal amount of blood collected in a less invasive manner.

Pattern of Hospital-Associated Infections in Children Admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of a University Hospital / 소아감염

PURPOSE: Hospital associated infection (HAI) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms has been recognized as an important issue in the world, especially in critically ill patients such as the patients admitted in the intensive care unit. There are fewer papers about MDR-HAI in pediatric patients compared to adult patients. In this study, we investigated the incidence and associated factors of MDR-HAI in children admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 135 children who were admitted in ICU for at least 3 days between January 2009 and December 2010. HAI cases were divided into MDR-HAI group and non-MDR-HAI group. Clinical characteristics and various associated factors were compared between those groups. RESULTS: In 39 patients, 45 cases of ICU-related HAI were developed. ICU-related HAI incidence was 47.7 per 1000 patient-days. Thirty-six cases (80.0%) were MDR-HAI. Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated more commonly in MDR-HAI group. And the followings were found more frequently in MDR-HAI group than non-MDR-HAI group: medical condition as an indication for ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, urinary catheterization and previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Among the risk factors, previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics was the independent risk factor for MDR-HAI. CONCLUSION: ICU-related HAI incidence was higher than previously reported. Previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics was the independent risk factor for MDR-HAI. To investigate the characteristics of MDR-HAI in children admitted in ICU, further studies with a larger sample size over a longer period of time are warranted.

The effect of perioperative inhaled iloprost on congenital heart disease with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension / 소아과

A 47-year-old male patient in whom atrial septal defect (ASD) had been diagnosed 15 years previously was admitted for cardiac catheterization. He had definite cyanotic lips and nail beds and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). He had received medical treatment only for the last few years after being diagnosed with Eisenmenger syndrome. After cardiac catheterization, he received iloprost inhalation therapy pre and postoperation and was discharged after successful surgical closure of the ASD.

Clinicopathological Study of Hemangioma of Infancy and the Immunohistochemical Study of GLUT1 Expression / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Hemangiomas of infancy are common, benign, pediatric tumors of endothelial cells. This is characterized by an initial phase of rapid proliferation, which is followed by slow involution, often leading to complete regression. There has been no large clinicopathological study in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological findings of hemangioma of infancy in Korean patients. METHODS: The clinical study included 256 patients of hemangioma of infancy. Histopathological examination of 18 cases was done with H&E staining. We also performed immunohistochemical staining with GLUT1 in 10 cases. RESULTS: The study results are summarized as follows: 1. The male to female ratio was 1: 3.1. Half of the lesions were noticed at birth. 2. The sites of predilection were head and neck (68.9%), upper extremities (11.7%), trunk (10.2%), and lower extremities (8.8%). 3. The results of clinical classification by depth of lesion were: superficial hemangioma (63.7%), deep hemangioma (20.9%), and combined hemangioma (15.4%). 4. The results of histopathological classification by the developmental phase were: proliferating phase (16.7%), involuting phase (83.3%). 5. In the immunohistochemical study using GLUT1, three out of ten cases of hemangioma were stained positively. CONCLUSION: The clinical findings of our study were identical with previous published reports. The characteristic expression of GLUT1 in hemangioma of infancy can be helpful in differentiating them from other vascular tumors and vascular malformations, and in the examination of developmental pathogenesis in hemangioma.

A Case of Papulopustular Lesions in Behcet's Disease / 대한피부과학회지

Cutaneous lesions of Behcet's disease are varied and include papulopustular lesions, erythema nodosum-like lesions, superficial thrombophlebitis, erythema multiforme-like lesions, Sweet's syndrome-like lesions, furuncles, pyoderma gangrenosum and subungal infarctions. Papulopustular lesions, the most common presentation of skin lesions in Behcet's disese, are cutaneous, sterile folliculitis or acne-like lesions on an erythematous base. Disagreement exists as to the exact nature of these acneiform and folliculitis-like lesions and whether they should be included as a major criteria. We report a case of papulopustular lesions in Behcet's disease which developed in a 41-year-old male.

Effects of Retinoic Acid on Replicative Senescence and Apoptosis of Normal Human Oral Keratinocytes

No abstract available.

The clinical availability of lyophilized collagen implant and microplate in reconstructive surgery on the bony defects of maxillary anterior wall

Panniculitis / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

Reconstruction combined with HBO therapy and iliac bone graft in mandibular fracture site osteomyelitis

No abstract available.

A Case of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Associated with Orthopedic Implants / 대한피부과학회지

We present herein case of allergic contact dermatitis associated with implants. A 30 year-old male patient has had oozing, crusted, eczematous lesion on the right anterior tibia for five months after tibial osteosynthesis with plate and screw made of vitalliurn. He showed positive patch test, reaction to cobalt on second and fourth days. The skin lesion disappeared after removal of T-plate.