Nicotinamide N­methyltransferase induces the proliferation and invasion of squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a common malignancy initiated by keratinocytes of the epidermis, which are able to invade the dermis and its periphery. Although most patients with cSCC present with curable localized tumors, recurrence, metastasis and mortality occasionally occur. In the present study, nicotinamide N­methyltransferase (NNMT) was identified as an upregulated protein in the SCC12 cell line, which has high invasive potential compared with the SCC13 cell line. The effects of NNMT knockdown on proliferation, migration and invasion were investigated using SCC cells. shRNA­mediated downregulation of NNMT expression levels inhibited the proliferation and density­dependent growth of SCC12 cells. In addition, the results of a cell motility assay showed that the migration and invasion of SCC cells were markedly decreased in NNMT­knockdown cells. The assessment of epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT)­associated gene expression using PCR array analysis revealed that high NNMT expression levels were accompanied by high expression levels of EMT­associated genes, and that NNMT knockdown effectively suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9, osteopontin, versican core protein and zinc finger protein SNAI2 in SCC12 cells. These results revealed that the upregulation of NNMT induced cellular invasion via EMT­related gene expression in SCC cells.

Localized Cutaneous Argyria Mimicking Blue Nevus after Wearing Earrings.

Localized cutaneous argyria is a rare condition in which the skin changes into blue-grey spots due to the absorption of silver. The lesions need to be differentiated from other pigmentary disorders and require radiographic and histological examination for more accurate diagnosis. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy can be a confirmatory tool in the evaluation of silver elements in biopsy tissue. This report shows the localized cutaneous argyria in earlobe of a 21-year-old woman who wears silver earrings for 10 years.

Synergistic effect of dual-functionalized fibrous scaffold with BCP and RGD containing peptide for improved osteogenic differentiation.

Over the last decade, bone tissue engineering scaffolds have been advanced owing to the bioceramic incorporation and biomimetic modification. In this report, a dual-functional fibrous scaffold with a bioceramic and biomolecule is developed, and a combined effect of a dual-modification is investigated. Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) is incorporated in electrospun poly (L-lactide) scaffolds, and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide is then conjugated through the graft polymerization of acrylic acid by γ-ray irradiation. The scaffolds exhibit the intrinsic properties of BCP as well as RGD peptide, and only RGD peptide improves an adhesion and proliferation of the human mesenchymal stem cell. However, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium formation are synergistically improved by the BCP and RGD peptide indicating that a favorable microenvironment is constructed for bone formation. Therefore, this combination strategy with bioceramic and biomolecule can be a useful tool for the bone tissue engineering.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits diesel exhaust particle-induced inflammation of human middle ear epithelial cells via NOX4 inhibition.

OBJECTIVES: Otitis media is one of the most common diseases in pediatric populations. Recent research on its pathogenesis has focused on air pollution. Chronic exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with the impairment of middle ear function. However, the mechanisms and the underlying inhibitory pathways, especially in the human middle ear, remain unknown. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a biologically active ingredient of propolis, a product of honeybee hives, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of CAPE on diesel exhaust particle (DEP)-induced inflammation of human middle ear epithelial cells and to determine the underlying pathway of the action of CAPE. METHODS: The inflammatory damage caused by DEPs and the anti-inflammatory effects of CAPE were determined by measuring the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) 4 with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The oxidative stress induced by DEPs and the anti-oxidative effects of CAPE were directly evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species production by use of flow cytometric analysis of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. The effects of CAPE were compared with those of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. RESULTS: Use of CAPE significantly inhibited DEP-induced up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha and NOX4 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species induced by DEPs was decreased by pretreatment with CAPE. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of CAPE were similar to those of N-acetyl-L-cysteine. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammation induced by DEP is reduced by CAPE via the inhibition of NOX4 expression. These findings suggest that CAPE might be used as a therapeutic agent against DEP-induced inflammation of human middle ear epithelial cells.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial of saccharomyces boulardii in irritable bowel syndrome: effect on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics confer health benefits to the host. However, its clinical effect on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is controversial. AIMS: This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on quality of life (QOL) and symptoms in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS or mixed-type IBS. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with IBS were randomized either to receive S. boulardii at 2×10 live cells as a daily dose (n=34), or placebo (n=33) for 4 weeks. IBS-QOL was assessed at the beginning and end of the treatment phase. IBS-related symptoms, bowel movement frequency, and stool consistency were recorded on a daily basis and assessed each week. RESULTS: The overall improvement in IBS-QOL was higher in S. boulardii group than placebo (15.4% vs 7.0%; P<0.05). All eight domains of IBS-QOL were significantly improved in S. boulardii group; however, placebo group only showed improvements in dysphoria and health worry. Composite scores for IBS symptoms were significantly reduced in both groups to a similar extent. Bowel frequency and stool consistency did not change in either group. CONCLUSIONS: S. boulardii improved IBS-QOL better than placebo but was not superior for individual symptoms in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS or mixed-type IBS.