Preventive effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) against endotoxin-induced muscle atrophy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Muscle atrophy is a public health issue and inflammation is a major cause of muscle atrophy. While docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are typical ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, are reported to have anti-inflammatory effects on endotoxin-induced inflammatory responses, their effects on inflammatory muscle atrophy have not been clarified. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of DHA and EPA on inflammatory muscle atrophy. METHODS: DHA or EPA was added to C2C12 myotubes at a concentration of 25, 50, or 100 µM, and 1 h later, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added at a concentration of 1 µg/mL. Two hours after the first LPS addition, mRNA expression of atrogin-1 and Murf-1 in C2C12 myotubes was measured. The second LPS addition was performed 24 h after the first LPS addition, and myotube diameter, myofibrillar protein, and cell viability were measured. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test were used for statistical processing of the results, and the significance level was set to less than 5 %. RESULTS: The LPS-added group significantly decreased the myotube diameter and the myofibrillar protein content compared to the control group. The myotube diameter was significantly higher in the 25 µM, 50 µM DHA and 25 µM EPA-added groups compared to the LPS group. In the 25 µM DHA and EPA-added groups, the myofibrillar protein content was significantly higher than that in the LPS group. The mRNA expression levels of atrogin-1 and murf-1 were significantly suppressed in the 25 µM DHA and EPA-added groups compared to the LPS group. The cell viability did not change by the addition of LPS, DHA, and EPA. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of DHA or EPA suppressed the decrease in myotube diameter and myofibrillar protein content and suppressed the increase in atrogin-1 and murf-1 induced by LPS. This study showed the preventive effect of DHA and EPA on endotoxin-induced muscle atrophy.

Immediate effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the abductor hallucis muscle: A randomized controlled trial.

Hallux valgus (HV) is a foot deformity with deviation of the greater toe and the first metatarsal. There is little evidence on training the abductor hallucis muscle (AbdH) to treat HV because of the difficulty in implementing the necessary interventions. Although neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used to induce voluntary exercise, there is currently no study on NMES for AbdH. We aimed to verify the immediate effect of NMES on the AbdH muscle function. For the NMES group (n = 15), electrical stimulation was applied for 20 min. In the sham group (n = 15), the stimulating device was set but not turned on. Electromyogram, HV angle (HVA) at rest and during abduction of the big toe, and strength of the AbdH were evaluated. Analysis of covariance was used to investigate differences within groups using the baseline as the covariate. NMES significantly improved the maximal voluntary isometric contractions (%MVIC), HVA at exercise, and muscle strength (%MVIC: p = .00, HVA exercise: p = .00, AbdH strength: p = .00). HVA at rest showed no change (p = .12). Application of NMES on the AbdH muscle immediately improved its activity output, muscle strength, and HVA during exercise.

Evocalcet in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, 52-week, dose-titration phase III study.

INTRODUCTION: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is caused by parathyroid adenoma, primary parathyroid hyperplasia, or parathyroid carcinoma. For some patients with PHPT controlling serum calcium levels is critical. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an open-label, single-arm, 52-week, phase III study in Japanese patients with hypercalcemia due to PHPT to demonstrate efficacy and safety of evocalcet, a new calcimimetic. Patients with intractable PHPT (n = 13), postsurgical recurrence (n = 2), and parathyroid carcinoma (n = 3) were enrolled. Evocalcet administration started at a dose of 2 mg once or twice daily and was titrated to achieve the target serum corrected calcium (cCa) concentration (≤ 10.3 mg/dL) for two consecutive weeks (maximal dose 24 mg/day). RESULTS: Fourteen patients achieved the target (77.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 52.4-93.6). The lower limit of 95% CI exceeded the predetermined reference limit (11%), and thus, efficacy was confirmed. Of 18 patients, 12 (66.7%; 95% CI 41.0-86.7) showed decreased serum cCa of ≥ 1.0 mg/dL from the baseline for two consecutive weeks during the titration phase. Sixteen patients entered the maintenance phase, and 15 patients completed the study. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were recorded in 18/18 patients (100%) and drug-related TEAEs in 8/18 (44.4%). The most commonly observed drug-related TEAE was nausea (2/18 patients). No unexpected drug-related TEAEs were observed. All drug-related TEAEs were mild in severity. No patient discontinued the study because of drug-related TEAEs. CONCLUSION: Evocalcet demonstrated long-term effectiveness in reducing serum cCa concentrations and safety without any unexpected drug-related TEAEs in PHPT patients.

Effects of deep thermotherapy on chest wall mobility of healthy elderly women.

Chest wall mobility decreases with age in community-dwelling women aged 65 years or older. Thermotherapy is used to improve soft-tissue extensibility. However, its effects on chest wall mobility are unclear. This study aimed to examine the effect of thermotherapy on chest wall mobility in healthy elderly women. Twenty-eight elderly women participated in this study. Chest wall mobility at three levels (axillary, xiphoid, and tenth rib), respiratory function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume), and tissue temperature (skin temperature (ST)) and deep temperature (DT) with 10 mm and 20 mm depth from the skin (10 mm DT and 20 mm DT)) were measured before and after 15 minutes of thermotherapy. The subjects randomly received one of the three interventions (capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRet), hot pack (HP), and sham CRet (sham)). Chest wall mobility at all levels significantly increased after CRet intervention. Hot pack significantly increased tenth rib excursion; it also significantly increased ST, 10 mm DT, and 20 mm DT, whereas CRet significantly increased 10 mm DT and 20 mm DT. There were significant differences between CRet, HP, and sham in ST, 10 mm DT, and 20 mm DT. Furthermore, 20 mm DT had increased more in CRet than in HP. CRet improved chest wall mobility at all levels and HP improved at the tenth rib level. This implies that CRet can be one of the approaches to improve chest wall mobility.

Risk factors of low back pain and the relationship with sagittal vertebral alignment in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: LBP is a common and serious problem affecting vast populations of the world. However, only few studies on LBP in sub-Saharan Africa have been conducted. Studies report that LBP and pelvic angle are interrelated, and African residents have a high pelvic tilt. The strategy to prevent LBP should focus on activities that promote holistic health. For that purpose, it is important to grasp the state of LBP and how it affects people's lifestyle in Tanzania to clarify the direction of implementation of physiotherapy treatment and reduce the incidences of LBP among adults. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and presentation of low back pain (LBP) and the relationship between anthropometric measurements and LBP among people in Moshi city, Kilimanjaro region Tanzania. METHODS: Following signing consent forms, participants were given questionnaires regarding LBP and then grouped accordingly into either asymptomatic or symptomatic cohorts. Anthropometric measurements of participants' height, weight, curvature of the spine, and pelvic angle were obtained. RESULTS: A Mann-Whitney U test analysis showed a significant difference in pelvic angle, body mass index (BMI), and thoracic kyphosis angle between the asymptomatic group and the symptomatic group. No significant differences in lumbar lordosis angle or abdominal muscle strength were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: A person with symptomatic LBP in Tanzania has a large anteversion of the pelvic tilt and a thoracic kyphotic posture. This study shows a relationship between sagittal spinal alignment and LBP in Tanzania, which could allow for prospective identification of subjects prone to developing LBP in the future.

Relationship between forefoot structure, including the transverse arch, and forefoot pain in patients with hallux valgus.

[Purpose] Hallux valgus occurs in the forefoot where the transverse arch is located and may be a factor involved in forefoot pain. The relationship between forefoot pain and forefoot structure is unknown. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between forefoot pain and the transverse arch in patients with hallux valgus. [Participants and Methods] In this study, 122 (197 feet) adult females (46 to 86 years old) with hallux valgus were studied. By using questionnaires, the females were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they had forefoot pain (a group with forefoot pain [P group] and a group without forefoot pain [NP group]). The hallux valgus angle was measured using a goniometer, and the transverse arch was measured using a weight-bearing plantar ultrasonography imaging device. The transverse arch measurements included the transverse arch height and length. [Results] Only the transverse arch length, even after adjustment, was significantly greater in the P group. No significant difference was found between the hallux valgus angle and the transverse arch height. [Conclusion] The greater transverse arch length in the P group was possibly due to the collapsing transverse arch support muscles. Increased width probably caused inadequate impact absorption which in turn led to forefoot pain.

Acute effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRet) on the Achilles tendon.

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRet) on Achilles tendon elongation during muscle contraction, as well as the circulation in the peritendinous region. Sixteen healthy men participated in this study. All 16 participants underwent 2 interventions: (1) CRet trial and (2) CRet without power (sham trial). Tendon elongation was measured four times. Using near-infrared spectroscopy, the blood circulation (volume of total-hemoglobin (Hb), oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb), and deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb)) was measured for 5 min before the intervention and for 30 min after the intervention. The differences between the measurements obtained before and after intervention were compared between the two interventions. The changes in tendon elongation and deoxy-Hb were not significantly different between the interventions. Total- and oxy-Hb were significantly increased in the CRet trial compared with the sham trial. In addition, the increases in total-Hb and oxy-Hb lasted for 30 min after the CRet intervention (CRet vs. sham: oxy-Hb: F = 8.063, p = 0.001, total-Hb: F = 4.564, p = 0.011). In conclusion, CRet significantly improved blood circulation in the peritendinous region.

Home exercise therapy to improve muscle strength and joint flexibility effectively treats pre-radiographic knee OA in community-dwelling elderly: a randomized controlled trial.

To compare the efficacy and adherence rates of two parallel home exercise therapy programs-multiple exercise (training and stretching the knee and hip muscles) and control (training the quadriceps muscles)-on knee pain, physical function, and knee extension strength in community-dwelling elderly individuals with pre-radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA). One hundred patients with medial knee pain were randomly allocated to one of two 4-week home exercise programs. Individuals with a Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade 0 or 1 OA (pre-radiographic knee OA) in the medial compartment were enrolled. Primary outcomes were knee pain (visual analog scale), self-reported physical function (Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure [JKOM]), and isometric maximum muscle strength of the knee extensor measured using a hand-held dynamometer. A total of 52 patients (28 [53.8%] in the multiple exercise group, 24 [46.2%] in the control group) completed the trial. The JKOM activities of daily living and general health conditions outcomes improved significantly in the multiple exercise group compared to the control group (JKOM activities of daily living, beta = - 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], - 1.39 to - 0.13; p = 0.01; JKOM general health conditions, beta = - 0.25; 95% CI, - 0.48 to - 0.01; p = 0.03). The home exercise compliance rates of the multiple exercise and control groups were 96.6 and 100%, respectively. When targeting pre-radiographic knee OA in community-dwelling elderly, it is important to implement home exercise programs that aim to improve muscle strength and joint flexibility rather than knee extension muscle power only.

Development of a questionnaire survey to evaluate lower limb function of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

This study aimed to develop a self-questionnaire index relevant to lower limb functional assessment reflecting clinical symptoms and activity restrictions associated with activities of daily living (ADL) for patients with knee osteoarthritis. This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren/Lawrence grade ≥ 1). Participants evaluated clinical symptoms and activity restrictions using self-reported questionnaires. Radiographic evaluation, knee joint range of motion (ROM), and lower limb muscle strength were assessed. Associations between clinical symptoms, activity restrictions, and knee and hip joint function were evaluated using multiple and logistic regression analysis. Overall, 142 participants were included in the final analysis. Patients with knee pain while rising from a chair had lower knee and hip extension strength (knee extension ß = - 0.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), - 0.41 to - 0.14; P < 0.0001; hip extension ß = - 0.26; 95% CI, - 0.42 to - 0.08; P = 0.0034), and restricted knee extension ROM (odds ratio [OR] = 2.17; 95% CI, 1.02-4.63; P = 0.041). Patients with knee pain during stair climbing, turning or who were unable to stand on one leg without external support had reduced hip abduction muscle strength (ß = - 0.17; 95% CI, - 0.27 to - 0.07; P = 0.0008). Patients with knee pain while rising from a chair or stepping showed more severe knee joint degeneration on radiographic evaluation (OR = 3.26; 95% CI, 1.11-10.91; P = 0.03). The self-questionnaire index reflected clinical symptoms and activity restrictions associated with ADL and was significantly associated with lower limb function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Effect of Capacitive and Resistive electric transfer on changes in muscle flexibility and lumbopelvic alignment after fatiguing exercise.

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the effects of Capacitive and Resistive electric transfer (CRet) on changes in muscle flexibility and lumbopelvic alignment after fatiguing exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two healthy males were assigned into either the CRet (n=11) or control (n=11) group. Fatiguing exercise and CRet intervention were applied at the quadriceps muscle of the participants' dominant legs. The Ely test, pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and superficial temperature were measured before and after exercise and for 30 minutes after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance, with Tukey's post-hoc multiple comparison test to clarify within-group changes and Student's t-test to clarify between-group differences. [Results] The Ely test and pelvic tilt were significantly different in both groups after exercise, but there was no difference in the CRet group after intervention. Superficial temperature significantly increased in the CRet group for 30 minutes after intervention, in contrast to after the exercise and intervention in the control group. There was no significant between-group difference at any timepoint, except in superficial temperature. [Conclusion] CRet could effectively improve muscle flexibility and lumbopelvic alignment after fatiguing exercise.

Relationship between transverse arch height and foot muscles evaluated by ultrasound imaging device.

[Purpose] Few studies on the transverse arch (TA) in the forefoot have been conducted. The forefoot is where pains occur most frequently and is related to walking and balance; hence, paying attention to TA is vital. However, the relationship between TA and foot muscles has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aims to investigate muscles related to TA. [Subjects and Methods] Nineteen healthy young males were included. Measurements of their feet, excluding one foot with recent foot pain (n=37), were obtained. The height of TA (TAH) was measured in two ways: during 10% and 90% loading of body weight. The cross-sectional area and thickness of five muscles were measured: flexor digitorum longus, peroneus longus and brevis, flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) and abductor hallucis (ABH). All measurements were performed with an ultrasound device. [Results] FDB and ABH were correlated with TAH during 10% and 90% loading after removing the effect of body mass index and age. The greater FDB and ABH, the higher TAH. [Conclusion] As FDB becomes larger, the second, third and fourth metatarsal heads are raised more. Furthermore, the height of the first metatarsal head is lowered by a larger ABH. These mechanisms may increase TAH.

Relationship between agility and lower limb muscle strength, targeting university badminton players.

[Purpose] Targeting university badminton players, this study investigated the relationship between agility, which is associated with performance in badminton, and lower limb muscle strength, and examined which muscles influence agility. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 23 male university badminton players were evaluated for side-shuffle test scores and lower limb strength. The relationships between agility, lower limb strength, and duration of experience playing badminton were evaluated using a correlation analysis. Moreover, the relationship between agility and lower limb strength was evaluated by partial correlation analysis, adjusting for the effects of experience of each badminton player. [Results] The agility score correlated with hip extension and ankle plantar flexion strength, with adjustment for badminton experience. [Conclusion] This study suggests that hip extension training and improvement in ankle plantar flexion strength may improve agility.

Accurate quantitation for in vitro refolding of single domain antibody fragments expressed as inclusion bodies by referring the concomitant expression of a soluble form in the periplasms of Escherichia coli.

Single domain antibody fragments from two species, a camel VHH (PM1) and a shark VNAR (A6), were derived from inclusion bodies of E. coli and refolded in vitro following three refolding recipes for comparing refolding efficiencies: three-step cold dialysis refolding (TCDR), one-step hot dialysis refolding (OHDR), and one-step cold dialysis refolding (OCDR), as these fragments were expressed as 'a soluble form' either in cytoplasm or periplasm, but the amount were much less than those expressed as 'an insoluble form (inclusion body)' in cytoplasm and periplasm. In order to verify the refolding efficiencies from inclusion bodies correctly, proteins purified from periplasmic soluble fractions were used as reference samples. These samples showed far-UV spectra of a typical ß-sheet-dominant structure in circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and so did the refolded samples as well. As the maximal magnitude of ellipticity in millidegrees (θmax) observed at a given wave length was proportional to the concentrations of the respective reference samples, we could draw linear regression lines for the magnitudes vs. sample concentrations. By using these lines, we measured the concentrations for the refolded PM1 and A6 samples purified from solubilized cytoplasmic insoluble fractions. The refolding efficiency of PM1 was almost 50% following TCDR and 40% and 30% following OHDR and OCDR, respectively, whereas the value of A6 was around 30% following TCDR, and out of bound for quantitation following the other two recipes. The ELISA curves, which were derived from the refolded samples, coincided better with those obtained from the reference samples after converting the values from the protein-concentrations at recovery to the ones of refolded proteins using recovery ratios, indicating that such a correction gives better results for the accurate measure of the ELISA curves than those without correction. Our method require constructing a dual expression system, expressed both in periplasm as a soluble form and cytoplasm as an insoluble form; application of the different refolding recipes due to sequence-by-sequence-difference could be precisely monitored using CD spectra with the concomitant soluble samples as a reference.

Ligation-based assembly for constructing mouse synthetic scFv libraries by chain shuffling with in vivo-amplified VH and VL fragments.

In vitro assembly of two or three PCR fragments using primers is a common method of constructing scFv fragments for display on the surface of phage. However, mismatch annealing often occurs during in this step, leading to cloning and display of incomplete Fab or scFv fragments. To overcome this limitation, we developed a ligation-based two-fragment assembly (LTFA) protocol that involved separately cloning VH and Vκ fragments into the high-copy-number plasmid pUC18. The VH and Vκ fragments had randomized complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) and were joined with a peptidyl linker composed of (G4S)3. Using this approach, complete sequences of scFv fragments were successfully constructed, and the sequencing of 83 scFv clones revealed that none of the sequences, including the linker region, contained deletions or mutations. In contrast, linker sequences generated using a conventional two-fragment PCR assembly (TFPA) protocol often contained sequence anomalies, including large truncations. Using the LTFA protocol, a final library size of 1.0×10(8)cfu was achieved. Examination of the amino acid profiles of the generated scFv fragments within the randomized regions introduced using degenerate codons did not detect any bias from that expected based on stochastic distribution. After several cycles of panning with this library, antigen-specific scFvs against two reference antigens, hen egg lysozyme and streptavidin were detected. In addition, scFvs with specificity against peptidyl antigens in the loop region of the Medaka ortholog of human C6orf89, which encodes a histone deacetylase enhancer that interacts with the bombesin receptor, were also obtained. The LTFA protocol developed here is robust and allows for the easy construction of integral scFv fragments compared with conventional TFPA. Utilizing LTFA, other CDRs can be readily combined. This approach also allows for the in vitro maturation of scFv fragments by separately introducing randomization in CDRs or using error-prone PCR for the amplification of pre-selected sequences as a template scaffold.

Adsorption of dimethyl silicone onto hair-surface models prepared with micro-phase separated monolayers.

The adsorption of dimethylsilicone (DMS) from its emulsion onto hair-surface models was investigated. The model surfaces were prepared on silicon wafers by utilizing a micro-phase separation in mixed Langmuir monolayers with a chemically adsorptive organosilane, n-octadecyltriethoxysilane (ODTES), as one component. The resulting surfaces consisted of hydrophobic micro-domains of polymerized ODTES and a surrounding hydrophilic surface silanol (SiOH) region of the silicon wafer, corresponding to the healthy and damaged regions of the hair surface, respectively, in terms of surface wettability. DMS preferentially adsorbed onto the high surface energy hydrophilic region of the model surface when the hydrophobic micro-domains were composed of fully condensed alkyl chains. The surface energy of the micro-domains could be controlled by using palmitic acid (PA) as the second component to form the micro-domains in the phase-separated Langmuir monolayers. The increase in the surface energy of the micro-domains induced the adsorption of DMS onto the intrinsically hydrophobic domain surface.

Upregulation of interleukin-13 receptor chains in bronchial smooth muscle tissues of mouse experimental asthma.

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is believed to be a central mediator of the induction of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), one of the characteristic features of allergic bronchial asthma. The IL-13-mediated events are mainly generated by its binding to functional IL-13 receptor, IL13Ralpha1 chain. In the present study, the changes in the levels of IL-13 receptors in bronchial smooth muscles were determined in mice with AHR induced by antigen inhalation. Mice were sensitized and repeatedly challenged with ovalbumin antigen. Total RNAs of the left main bronchi were extracted, and real-time RT-PCR analyses for IL13Ralpha1 and IL13Ralpha2 chains were conducted. As a result, both the receptor chains were significantly increased in the diseased bronchial smooth muscle. The time-course analyses revealed that the peaks of IL13Ralpha1 and IL13Ralpha2 upregulations were at 6 hour and 3-12 hour after the last antigen inhalation, respectively. It is thus possible that the IL-13-mediated signaling in bronchial smooth muscle is considerably augmented by the upregulations of IL-13 itself and its functional IL13Ralpha1 receptor in allergic asthmatics.

Immunotherapy of ovarian cancer with cell wall skeleton of Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin: effect of lymphadenectomy.

The significance of lymphadenectomy in surgery for various kinds of cancer has been widely debated, particularly in the gynecological field. The cell wall skeleton of Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG-CWS) has been used as an effective adjuvant for immunotherapy of a variety of cancer patients. Here we tested the immunological importance of lymph nodes in treatment of ovarian cancer patients with BCG-CWS. After surgical removal of tumors, 73 ovarian cancer patients were intracutaneously inoculated with BCG-CWS in the antigen-unloaded state in the upper arm at 4-week intervals at a dosage of 2-200 microg. Significant correlation of lymphadenectomy and reduced survival of patients was observed (stages I, II, III, IV; hazard ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.02-5.12, Cox regression model). Lymphadenectomy also compromised with induction of interferon-gamma. In view of the importance of the role of lymph nodes in stimulation of Toll-like receptors by BCG-CWS, it is suggested that lymph nodes should be kept as much as possible to preserve the patient's immunity against cancer. Application of these results to surgery for other cancers should be considered.

A novel STAT6 inhibitor AS1517499 ameliorates antigen-induced bronchial hypercontractility in mice.

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is one of the central mediators for development of airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. The signal transducer and activation of transcription 6 (STAT6) is one of the major signal transducers activated by IL-13, and a possible involvement of IL-13/STAT6 pathway in the augmented bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) contraction has been suggested. In the present study, the effect of a novel STAT6 inhibitor, AS1517499, on the development of antigen-induced BSM hyperresponsiveness was investigated. In cultured human BSM cells, IL-13 (100 ng/ml) caused a phosphorylation of STAT6 and an up-regulation of RhoA, a monomeric GTPase responsible for Ca2+ sensitization of smooth muscle contraction: both events were inhibited by co-incubation with AS1517499 (100 nM). In BALB/c mice that were actively sensitized and repeatedly challenged with ovalbumin antigen, an increased IL-13 level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and a phosphorylation of STAT6 in bronchial tissues were observed after the last antigen challenge. These mice had an augmented BSM contractility to acetylcholine together with an up-regulation of RhoA in bronchial tissues. Intraperitoneal injections of AS1517499 (10 mg/kg) 1 hour before each ovalbumin exposure inhibited both the antigen-induced up-regulation of RhoA and BSM hyperresponsiveness, almost completely. A partial but significant inhibition of antigen-induced production of IL-13 was also found. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effects of STAT6 inhibitory agents, such as AS1517499, both on RhoA and IL-13 up-regulations might be useful for asthma treatment.

Structure and performance of cationic assembly dispersed in amphoteric surfactants solution as a shampoo for hair damaged by coloring.

In recent years, hair coloring gains popularity as a trend of consumer's hair care. This coloring frequently damages hair. In response to this, a new shampoo-base was developed for repairing hair damaged by coloring. The new shampoo-base was prepared by dispersing cationic assembly in a solution of amphoteric surfactants. The mixture of behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (C22TAC) and behenyl alcohol (C22OH) was applied as the cationic assembly, which are dispersed in amido propyl betaine laurate (LPB) solution. LPB, which behaves as an amphoteric surfactant, was used as the wash-base. It was verified from the results on the measurements of DSC, calorimeter polarization, cryo-SEM and X-ray diffraction that the cationic assembly has a crystalline structure in the LPB solution. The new shampoo-base was highly efficient to change the color-damaged hair from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The friction level of the hair washed with the new shampoo-base recovered to the same state as that of healthy hair. The exfoliation of cuticle was reduced after washing with the new shampoo-base.