Trichosanthis Semen Exerts Neuroprotective Effects in Alzheimer's Disease Models by Inhibiting Amyloid-ß Accumulation and Regulating the Akt and ERK Signaling Pathways.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is characterized by memory loss and the abnormal accumulation of senile plaques composed of amyloid-ß (Aß) protein. Trichosanthis Semen (TS) is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat phlegm-related conditions. While TS is recognized for various bioactivities, including anti-neuroinflammatory effects, its ability to attenuate AD remains unknown. Objective: To evaluate the effects of TS extract (TSE) on neuronal damage, Aß accumulation, and neuroinflammation in AD models. Methods: Thioflavin T and western blot assays were used to assess effects on Aß aggregation in vitro. TS was treated to PC12 cells with Aß to assess the neuroprotective effects. Memory functions and histological brain features were investigated in TSE-treated 5×FAD transgenic mice and mice with intracerebroventricularly injected Aß. Results: TSE disrupted Aß aggregation and increased the viability of cells and phosphorylation of both protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in vitro. TSE treatment also suppressed the accumulation of Aß plaques in the brain of 5×FAD mice, protected neuronal cells in both the subiculum and medial septum, and upregulated Akt/ERK phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Moreover, TSE ameliorated the memory decline and glial overactivation observed in 5×FAD mice. As assessing whether TS affect Aß-induced neurotoxicity in the Aß-injected mice, the effects of TS on memory improvement and neuroinflammatory inhibition were confirmed. Conclusions: TSE disrupted Aß aggregation, protected neurons against Aß-induced toxicity, and suppressed neuroinflammation, suggesting that it can suppress the development of AD.

Linderae Radix Ameliorates Cognitive Dysfunction by Inhibiting Neuroinflammation and Synaptic Damage in Alzheimer's Disease Models.

Neuroinflammation and synaptic damage are important etiologies associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Linderae Radix (LR) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated whether LR attenuates microglia activation-mediated neuroinflammation and synaptic degeneration and improves AD pathological phenotypes induced by amyloid beta oligomers (AßO) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) toxicity. For in vitro studies, we treated LR to AßO-stimulated HT22 cells or LR LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. For in vivo studies, we administered LR to mice and AßO was injected by stereotaxic to induce cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation, and synaptic loss. We found that LR increased the cell viability reduced by AßO. Moreover, LR inhibited pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and downregulated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in BV2 cells. Behavioral assessments demonstrated that LR administration significantly improved cognitive decline induced by AßO-injection. Furthermore, we found that microglia activation increased, and the expression of synaptic proteins decreased in the hippocampus of the AßO-injected group, which was alleviated in the LR-treated group. These findings suggest that LR may be a potential candidate for protection against neuroinflammation and synaptic loss, and may prevent or delay AD progression.

Longan extract suppresses food intake through regulation of POMC/AgRP neuronal activities and endoplasmic reticulum stress in hypothalamus of db/db mice.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the biggest public health issues worldwide and closely related to development of other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Considerable percentage of T2DM patients undergo have suffered from binge eating disorder which exacerbates insulin resistance and metabolic challenges. Longan (Dimocarpus longan L.) and its constituents are reported for their various health benefits. However, it is still unknown whether longan fruit supplementation can ameliorate glucose homeostasis and binge eating disorder found in T2DM. The current study aimed to investigate whether longan fruit extract (LE) supplementation can improve diabetic hyperglycemia through modulation of feeding center located in hypothalamus of db/db T2DM mice. As a result, LE supplementation ameliorated fasting blood glucose levels and reduced excessive epididymal fat accumulation. In addition, LE administration improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in db/db mice. Especially, LE supplemented mice showed less food consumption which was in line with increase of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronal activities and decrease of agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neuronal activities. Furthermore, LE supplementation reduced hypothalamic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which was stimulated in db/db mice. As ER stress is a crucial factor involving in appetite control and glucose homeostasis, the effect of LE supplementation on circulating glucose levels and feeding behavior might be mediated by suppression of hypothalamic ER stress. Collectively, these findings suggest that LE could be a potential nutraceutical for improvement of T2DM as well as patients with satiety issues.

Petasites japonicus leaf extract inhibits Alzheimer's-like pathology through suppression of neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation is a crucial pathogenic process involved in the development and deterioration of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Petasites japonicus is known for its beneficial effects on various disease states such as allergic reaction, oxidative stress and inflammation. However, it is still unknown whether P. japonicus has protective effects on neuroinflammation, especially microgliosis related to AD. The current study aimed to investigate whether an extract of P. japonicus (named KP-1) protects from microglial cell activation in vitro and in vivo. To demonstrate the anti-neuroinflammation effects of KP-1, the current study adopted the most widely used experimental models including the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microgliosis in vitro model and amyloid beta (Aß) oligomer (AßO)-induced neuroinflammation in vivo model, respectively. As a result, KP-1 pre-treatment reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, protein levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in BV2 cells which were significantly promoted by 100 ng ml-1 LPS treatment. Similarly, KP-1 administration protected mice from AßO-induced memory impairment scored by Y-maze and novel object recognition test (NORT). Moreover, KP-1 administration suppressed AßO-induced microglial cell activation measured by counting the number of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1)-positive cells in both the cortex and hippocampal dentate gyrus and measuring the mRNA expression of TNFα, IL-1ß and IL-6. Furthermore, AßO-induced synaptotoxicity was prevented by KP-1 administration which is in line with behavioral changes. Collectively, these findings suggest that KP-1 could be a potential functional food for protection against neuroinflammation, and prevents or delays the progression of AD.

A rare muscular variation in the superficial region of the popliteal fossa.

We found a rare muscular variation in the superficial region of the popliteal fossa in a 61-year-old Korean male cadaver whose cause of death was laryngeal carcinoma during routine dissection course for medical students. The muscle ran transversely between the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle and the tendon of the long head of biceps femoris muscle, covering the neurovascular structures in the popliteal fossa. The muscle received its nerve supply from the tibial nerve. Based on its innervation, we speculated that the anomalous muscle might be a very specific type of variation related to the gastrocnemius tertius rather than another superficial muscle in the popliteal fossa.

Needs analysis and development of a tailored mobile message program linked with electronic health records for weight reduction.

OBJECTIVE: We developed and pilot-tested a personalized text messaging service program based on data from electronic health records (EHRs) and lifestyle questionnaires for weight control. METHODS: In the health promotion center of a hospital, 340 participants with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 were recruited and surveyed for the development of a text messaging program. After developing the interface linking the EHRs with personalized text messages for weight loss, we pilot-tested this program in 102 participants for its feasibility, acceptability and satisfaction. RESULTS: According to the needs analysis, the participants desired additional information about personalized nutrition and exercise. We selected many variables from the EHRs and questionnaires to create text messages with a more personalized program. After a 1-month trial of the text messaging program, the participants' satisfaction score was 7.9 ± 1.5 and recommendation score was 7.5 ± 1.8. CONCLUSIONS: A personalized short message service (SMS) linked with EHRs was feasible, and the pilot test showed high satisfaction and recommendation scores. Further evaluation using a well-designed trial will be needed.

Effect of electrokinetic remediation on indigenous microbial activity and community within diesel contaminated soil.

Electrokinetic remediation has been successfully used to remove organic contaminants and heavy metals within soil. The electrokinetic process changes basic soil properties, but little is known about the impact of this remediation technology on indigenous soil microbial activities. This study reports on the effects of electrokinetic remediation on indigenous microbial activity and community within diesel contaminated soil. The main removal mechanism of diesel was electroosmosis and most of the bacteria were transported by electroosmosis. After 25 days of electrokinetic remediation (0.63 mA cm(-2)), soil pH developed from pH 3.5 near the anode to pH 10.8 near the cathode. The soil pH change by electrokinetics reduced microbial cell number and microbial diversity. Especially the number of culturable bacteria decreased significantly and only Bacillus and strains in Bacillales were found as culturable bacteria. The use of EDTA as an electrolyte seemed to have detrimental effects on the soil microbial activity, particularly in the soil near the cathode. On the other hand, the soil dehydrogenase activity was enhanced close to the anode and the analysis of microbial community structure showed the increase of several microbial populations after electrokinetics. It is thought that the main causes of changes in microbial activities were soil pH and direct electric current. The results described here suggest that the application of electrokinetics can be a promising soil remediation technology if soil parameters, electric current, and electrolyte are suitably controlled based on the understanding of interaction between electrokinetics, contaminants, and indigenous microbial community.

Degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) by nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) immobilized in alginate bead.

Nowadays, many researchers have studied the environmental application of the nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and several field applications for the groundwater remediation have been reported. Still, there are many concerns on the fate and transport of the nZVI and the corresponding risks. To avoid such concerns, it was investigated to immobilize nZVI in a support and then it was applied to degrade trichloroethylene (TCE). The nZVI and palladium-doped nZVI (Fe(0)- and Fe/Pd-alginate) were immobilized in the alginate bead where ferric and barium ions are used as the cross-linking cations of the bead. According to TEM (transmission electron microscopy), the size of the immobilized ZVI was as small as a few nanometers. From the surface analysis of the Fe/Pd-alginate, it is found that the immobilized nZVI has the core-shell structure. The core is composed of single crystal Fe(0), while most of irons on the surface are oxidized to Fe(3+). When 50 g/L of Fe/Pd-alginate (3.7 g Fe/L) was introduced to the aqueous solution, >99.8% of TCE was removed and the release of metal from the support was <3% of the loaded iron. The removal of TCE by Fe/Pd-alginate followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The observed pseudo-first-order reaction constant (k(obs)) of Fe/Pd-alginate was 6.11 h(-1) and the mass normalized rate constant (k(m)) was 1.6 L h(-1) g(-1). The k(m) is the same order of magnitude with that of iron nanoparticles. In conclusion, it is considered that Fe/Pd-alginate can be used efficiently in the treatment of chlorinated solvent.

Pleomorphomonas koreensis sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species in the order Rhizobiales.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium (strain Y9(T)) was isolated from a contaminated culture of the phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris, and was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Y9(T) belonged to the order Rhizobiales in the Alphaproteobacteria. Comparison of phylogenetic data indicated that it was most closely related to Pleomorphomonas oryzae (98.5 % similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence), and the phylogenetic distance from any other species of the order Rhizobiales with a validly published name was greater than 7.5 % (i.e. less than 92.5 % similarity). The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were C(18 : 1), C(16 : 0), C(19 : 0) cyclo omega8c and C(18 : 0). The G+C content of genomic DNA of strain Y9(T) was 65.1 mol%. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain Y9(T) represents a novel species within the genus Pleomorphomonas, for which the name Pleomorphomonas koreensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y9(T) (=KCTC 12246(T)=NBRC 100803(T)).

Tetragenococcus koreensis sp. nov., a novel rhamnolipid-producing bacterium.

A Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming coccus (strain JS(T)) was isolated from kimchi (a traditional Korean food) and investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain JS(T) and its closest relative, Tetragenococcus halophilus IAM 1676(T), was 98.1%. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between the two strains was 9.7%. Strain JS(T) had a DNA G+C content of 38.3% and a cellular fatty acid profile containing 16:0, 18:1 and cyclo fatty acids. Phylogenetic data and genomic and phenotypic features demonstrated that strain JS(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Tetragenococcus koreensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JS(T) (=KCTC 3924(T)=DSM 16501(T)=LMG 22864(T)).