Inflammasome-Dependent Peroxiredoxin 2 Secretion Induces the Classical Complement Pathway Activation

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are ubiquitously expressed peroxidases that reduce hydrogen peroxide or alkyl peroxide production in cells. Prxs are released from cells in response to various stress conditions, and they function as damage-associated molecular pattern molecules. However, the secretory mechanism of Prxs and their roles have not been elucidated. Thus, we aimed to determine whether inflammasome activation is a secretory mechanism of Prxs and subsequently identify the effect of the secreted Prxs on activation of the classical complement pathway. Using J774A.1, a murine macrophage cell line, we demonstrated that NLRP3 inflammasome activation induces Prx1, Prx2, Prx5, and Prx6 secretion in a caspase-1 dependent manner. Using HEK293T cells with a transfection system, we revealed that the release of Prx1 and Prx2 relies on gasdermin-D (GSDMD)-mediated secretion. Next, we confirmed the binding of both Prx1 and Prx2 to C1q; however, only Prx2 could induce the C1q-mediated classical complement pathway activation. Collectively, our results suggest that inflammasome activation is a secretory mechanism of Prxs and that GSDMD is a mediator of their secretion. Moreover, secreted Prx1 and Prx2 bind with C1q, but only Prx2 mediates the classical complement pathway activation.

Comparative Effects of Dietary Quercetin and Rutin in Rats Fed with the Lieber-DeCarli Ethanol Diet

Flavonoids including quercetin and rutin are a group of naturally occurring compounds widely distributed in plants, especially in buckwheat. Thus, cereal and the leaf of the plant have increasingly used as a source of nutritional and functional foods such as noodle, cake or soup in Korea, Japan and other countries. This study investigated comparative effects of dietary rutin rich in buckwheat and its aglycone, quercetin, on serum biomarkers and antioxidant parameters in rats treated with chronic ethanol. Rats were fed with the liquid diets prepared by the method of Lieber Decarli. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities increased significantly by alcohol feeding. Dietary flavonoids including rutin, quercetin and their mixtures (1/1, v/v) decreased significantly the activities of serum ALT whereas the feeding of quercetin decreased only the activity of serum AST. The concentration of serum malondialdehydes elevated by chronic alcohol feeding decreased markedly in all the experimental groups that were fed with the flavonoids; however, the combined administration of quercetin or rutin, but not that of rutin or quercetin alone decreased significantly the concentration of liver malondialdehydes to the normal range in rats fed without ethanol. Our results suggested that dietary combined mixture of rutin and quercetin might be effective in ameliorating adverse responses seen in rats exposed to ethanol chronically.

Extract of buckwheat sprouts scavenges oxidation and inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages (RAW264.7) / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Buckwheat has been considered as a potential source of nutraceutical components on the world market of probiotic foodstuffs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) sprouts on oxidation and pro-inflammatory mediators.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The anti-oxidant effects of buckwheat extract (BWE) and rutin were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)- and nitric oxide (NO)-scavenging activities, serum peroxidation and chelating assays. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of buckwheat and rutin. NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells was determined by using Griess reagent. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 subunit in cytosolic and nuclear portions were determined by Western blot analysis. Also, the production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Inhibitory concentration 50 values for DPPH- and NO-scavenging activities of BWE were 24.97 and 72.54 μg/mL respectively. BWE inhibited serum oxidation and possessed chelating activity. Furthermore, BWE inhibited IL-6 and TNF-α production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Also, BWE inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression and NF-κB p65 translocation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Buckwheat sprouts possessed strong antioxidant activity and inhibited production of pro-inflammatory mediators in the applied model systems. Thus, buckwheat can be suggested to be beneficial in inflammatory diseases by inhibiting the free radicals and inflammatory mediators.</p>

Inhibitory effects of Capsicum annuum L. water extracts on lipoprotein lipase activity in 3T3-L1 cells

Obesity, an intractable metabolic disease, currently has no medical treatment without side effects, so studies have been actively carried out to find natural compounds that have anti-obesity activity with minimum side effects. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of water extracts of seven Capsicum annuum L. varieties being Putgochu (Pca), Oyee gochu (Oca), Kwari putgochu (Kca), Green pepper (Gca), Yellow paprika (Yca), Red paprika (Rca) and Cheongyang gochu (Cca), were examined through the evaluation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA expression level in 3T3-L1 cells (mouse pre-adipocytes). After capsaicin elimination by chloroform defatting, freeze-dried powder of Cca was treated to 3T3-L1 cells and anti-obesity effects were examined by determining the LPL mRNA level using the RT-PCR method. Of the primary fractions, only proven fractions underwent secondary and tertiary refractionating to determine anti-obesity effects. From seven different Capsicum annuum L., there was a significant decrease of the LPL mRNA expression level of 50.9% in Cca treatment compared to the control group. A significant decrease of the LPL mRNA expression level was shown in primary fractions (Fr) 5 (36.2% decrease) and 6 (30.5% decrease) of the Cca water extracts. Due to the impurities checked by UPLC chromatography, Fr 5 and 6 were refractionated to determine the LPL mRNA expression level. Treatment of Fr 6-6 (35.8% decrease) and Fr 5-6 (35.3% decrease) showed a significant decrease in the LPL mRNA expression level. When analyzed using UPLC, major compounds of Fr 6-6 and Fr 5-6 were very similar. Subsequently, we refractionated Fr 6-6 and Fr 5-6 to isolate the major peak for structure elucidation. Treatment of Fr 5-6-1 (26.6% decrease) and Fr 6-6-1 (29.7% decrease) showed a significant decrease in the LPL mRNA expression level. Consequently, the fractions may have a possibility to ameliorate obesity through the decrease of the LPL mRNA expression level.

Erratum: Funding Acknowledgment

The funding acknowledgment in this article was omitted as published.

The Fruiting Body Formation of Armillaria mellea on Oak Sawdust Medium Covered with Ground Raw Carrots

To produce an artificial fruiting body of Armillaria mellea on the oak sawdust medium, seven strains of A. mellea were used. The top surface of oak sawdust medium covered with ground raw carrot was inoculated with each of 7 strains and cultured for 30 days at 25degrees C in the dark condition until the mycelia of A. mellea completely colonized the medium from top to bottom. Then, the mycelia which were fully covered on the top surface of the medium were scratched slightly with a spatula and filled with tap water for 3 hours. To induce the primordial formation, the 7 strains of A. mellea were transferred to the growth chamber under the illumination (350 lux) of 12 hours and relative humidity of 85 +/- 5% in a day and then cultured at 16 +/- 1degrees C. Only A. mellea IUM 949 could form primordia on the sawdust medium, but the other strains did not make primordia at the same condition. The primordia of A. mellea IUM 949 were formed 10 days after complete colonization of the medium and the fruiting bodies were produced 7 days after a primordial formation. The experimental results suggested that IUM 949 strain might be a good candidate for mass production of fruiting bodies of A. mellea.

Comparison of the Treatment Results for Ganglions of the Hand and Wrist According to General Anesthesia and Local Anesthesia

BACKGROUND: A ganglion of the hand and the wrist most commonly occurs in the upper extremities. It is reported that its excision under general anesthesia has the highest rate of complete recovery of 94%. But the tumor of the hand is often experienced in the initial treatment. The study was to compare the two groups, one group undergoing surgical operations under local anesthesia at private clinics and the other group operated under general anesthesia at orthopedics of general hospitals. METHODS: The general anesthesia group were 56 cases with tumor only in hand and wrist who had operational treatments with a diagnosis of ganglion at orthopedics in a certain general hospital from 1990 to 1999. The local anesthesia group were 68 cases with tumor only in hand and wrist who had operational treatments with a diagnosis of ganglion in 19 private clinics from 1992 to 2000. The relationship between the results of the two groups were compared and analysed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the general characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05). The recurrence rates were 8.9% in the general anesthesia group and 11.8% in the local anesthesia group, and the average recurrence periods were 9.4 months and 12 months, respectively. The two groups did not show significant difference in the recurrence rate and recurrence period (P>0.05). The recurrence rates of ganglion according to age and size also showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The two groups showed a high significance in the recurrence rate when they were related to the joint capsule (P=0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a significant relationship between the size of ganglion of the hand and its association with articular membrane with the recurrence rate, but there was no difference in the anesthetic techniques.

Relationship between stress amounts and health habits about nurses in one hospital

BACKGROUND: Stress is found to have influence on physical and mental disorders, and also to healthy life habits related to physical health mental stress. Job holders are groups that have suffered from chronic stressful condition. Consider medical people of job holders to received exess stress. So, we tested this investigation to know the relationship between health habits and stress amounts about nurse. METHODS: This study was performed on nurses who worked on one hosptal in Pusan Metropolitan city for one months(from April, 1, to April, 30, 2000). We used 128 results. Health habits were investigated about 5 articles out of "Breslow's 7 health habits" and stress amounts were measured by Korean translated BEPSI(Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument) and Bae Jong Myun's 30 items SRRQ(Social Readjustment Rating Questionnaire). RESULTS: There were differences in amounts of stress of subjects according to marital state(P<0.05), job department(P<0.05), BMI(Body Mass Index)(P<0.05), sleeping time(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This investigation has showed that having excess stress in nurses. Body Mass Index, sleeping time appeared to be health habits related to amounts of stress.

The relationship between test anxiety and family adaptability, cohesion of high school students

BACKGROUND: As Koreans have had great enthusiasm for education traditionally, most students have excessive anxiety about tests and such anxiety may cause several physical and psychological problems. But there are few studies on the relationship between test anxiety and family function. Therefore, in this study, we tried to figure out the relationship between test anxiety and family function in order to treat and educate patients who have excessive test anxiety. METHODS: In a survey study, the Korean Version of Test Anxiety Inventory and Olson's FACES III was administered to the 220 second year high school students of a single high school who live in Pusan. Two groups of students with high and low test anxiety levels (52 in each group) were selected based on the test anxiety scale ratings and analysis of their family adaptability and cohesion. RESULTS: In FACES III adaptability of high test anxiety group, there were 15 cases (28.8%) for rigid, 23 cases (44.2%) for structured, 11 cases (21.2%) for flexible and 3 cases (5.8%) for chaotic familes. In that of low test anxiety group, 2 cases (3.8%) for rigid, 16 cases (30.8%) for structured, 24 cases (46.2%) for flexible and 10 cases (19.2%) for chaotic familes. In FACES III cohesion of high test anxiety group, there were 2 cases (3.8%) for disengaged, 14 cases (26.9%) for separated, 20 cases (38.5%) for connected and 16 cases (30.8%) for enmeshed familes. In that of low test anxiety group 18 cases (34.6%) for disengaged, 22 cases (42.3%) for separated, 8 cases (15.4%) for connected and 4 cases (7.7%) for enmeshed familes. In FACES III family type of high test anxiety group, there were 24 cases (46.2%) for balanced, 20 cases (38.4%) for mid range and 8 cases (15.4%) for extreme familes. In that of low test anxiety group 24 cases (46.2%) for balanced, and 22 cases (42.3%) for mid range and 6 cases (11.5%) for extreme familes. CONCLUSION: Cohesion scale of high test anxiety group was higher than that of low test anxiety group and adaptability scale of low test anxiety group was higher than that of high test anxiety group.

Clinical Study of Simple and Strangulated Intestinal Obstruction

Ninety-six cases of intestinal obstruction that were surgically managed at the Department of General Surgery, Pohang St. Mary,s Hospital, during the 5 years from July 1991 to June 1996 were analyzed, and the results are as follows; 1) The most frequent age group was the first decade(32.3%), and the male to female ratio was 2.56:1. The most prevalent age group for strangulated intestinal obstructions was the third decade, and the male to female ratio was 1:2.93. 2) The main causes of intestinal obstruction were postoperative adhesion(41.7%) and incarcerated hernia(18.8%). The main causes of simple intestinal obstruction were postoperative adhesion(37%) and incarcerated hernia(18.5%) and those of strangulated intestinal obstruction were postoperative adhesion (66.6%) and incarcerated hernia(20%). 3) Previous abdominal operations leading to an intestinal obstruction were appendectomies(34.6%) and gastroduodenal operations(28.8%). The most common previous abdominal operation leading to a simple intestinal obstruction was appendectomy(39.0%), but the most common ones for a strangulated intestinal obstruction were a gastroduodenal operation(36.4%) and a gynecologic operation(36.4%). 4) The presence of continuous abdominal pain, rebound tenderness, localized tenderness, fever(>38oC) or the presence of 2 or more of the 6 classic findings(continuous abdominal pain, rebound tenderness, localized tenderness, fever(>38oC), tachycardia(>100/min), and leukocytosis(>10,000/mm3)) were more prevalent in the group with strangulated intestinal obstructions. 5) As for operative procedure, an adhesiolysis was done in 30 cases(31.3%), a resection of the small bowel in 18 cases(18.8%), a hernioplasty in 16 cases(16.7%), and a surgical reduction in 13 cases(13.5%). The most common operative procedure for a simple intestinal obstruction was an adhesiolysis, but that for a strangulated intestinal obstruction was a resection of the small bowel. 6) The incidence of postoperative complications was 14.5%. The incidence of postoperative complications for a simple intestinal obstruction was 9.9%, and that for a strangulated intestinal obstruction was 40%. The overall mortality rate was 2.1%.

Endoscopic Ligation of Large Gastric Varices Using a Detachable Snares and Rubber Bands / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Bleeding from gastric varices greater than 2cm in diameter represents a major limitation for endoscopic hemostasis. The endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) using conventional sclerosing agents is not satisfactory for the control of acute bleeding from gastric varices which have large diameter, fast blood flow and abundant collateral circulations. Endoscopic ligation using small rubber bands, known to be alternative to EIS, never obliterate large gastric varices greater than 2 cm in diameter. Obliteration therapy using Histoacryl (n-buty1-2-cyanoacrylate), known to be more satisfactory, has some drawback such as embolization. We per formed endoscopic ligation using detachable snares and rubber bands in 22 patients who had recently bleeding from gastric varices larger than 2 cm in diameter. For ligation of gastric varices larger than 2 cm in diameter, the detachable snares were used, and then for ligation of adjacent small gastric varices, rubber bands were used. In seven patients active bleedings were noted at initial endoscopy; 6 of them were successfully controlled by endoscopic ligation using detachable snares and rubber bands, but one patient who was uncontrolled by it died from bleeding and multiple organ failure. In remaining 15 patients, there were no active bleeding but red color signs on large gastric varices; all of them were successfully controlled by endoscopic ligation using detachable snares and rubber bands. Early rebleeding, fol lowing initial treatment, occurred in two patients (9.5%). So overall hemostatic rate of endoscopic ligation using the detachable snares and the rubber bands was 86.4% (19/22). Varices were nearly eradicated in 18 (85.7%) of the 21 survivors by ligation of 1-3 detachable snares (mean, l.3 snares) and 4-30 rubber bands (mean, 16,2 bands) in 2-6 sessions (mean, 3.2 sessions). During or after ligation, there were no serious complications, except transient epigastric pain or discomfort in 14.7% and fever in 1.3%. These results suggest that endoscopic ligation therapy with detachable snares and rubber bands is a safe and effective method for treatment of acute bleeding of gastric varices, especially gastric varices larger than 2 cm in diameter, which can not he controlled by conventional scleratherapy or variceal band ligation.

Endoscopic Variceal Ligation by Use of Transparent Endoscopic Elastic Band Ligating Device / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL) is effective in both emergent and elective treatment of esophageal varices and can be used as a safe alternative to sclerotherapy. However, as yet no transparent ligating device is widely available, the endoscopic view through the present commercial ligating device is so narrow that it is often difficult to both approach the target and accurately define and position the bleeding site. To assess the benifit of transparent EVL device, total 143 patients, 632 sessions, underwent EVL treatment. In 545 sessions the non-transparent, conventional-type ligating devices (Stigmann-Goff ligating devices) were used, whereas in 87 sessions the transparent ligating devices used. 35 patients underwent EVL under active bleeding conditions; in 29 patients a conventional ligation devices, whereas in 6 patients a transparent ligating devices were used. The remaining l08 patients were either electively treated by EVL. The visual fields decreased to 20-30% with the conventional devices, but no change of visual fields were noted with the transparent devices. In electively treated cases by EVL, the times need to ligate one band were not significantly different in the conventional devices (average, 18.5 sec) compared with that in the transparent devices (average, 16.7 sec), but in active bleeding conditions it took a significantly longer times in the conventional devices (mean, 30.7 sec) compared with that in the transparent devices (average, 19.4 sec). The hemostatic success rates in active bleeding conditions were 89.7%(26/29) using the conventional devices, 100%(6/6) using the transparent devices. In conclusion this newly developed transparent ligating device provides an improved visual field and shortens ligating time, especially in active bleeding condition. Therefore EVL using transparent device is more effective method in treatment of esophageal varices, especially active bleeding conditions.

A Case of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the lacrimal Gland

We experienced a 39 year-old male who had progressive proptosis of left eye of about 2 years duration. Orbital computed tomography demonstrated a large well defined mass from eyeball in superiotemporal quadrant of the left orbit. Lateral orbitotomy for removal of mass was used and a part of mass sent to pathologist. The mass was interpreted as adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland. we performed total orbital exenteration of the left eye and covered with split-thickness skin graft from the left thigh. The patient received with 6,000 rad of radiation at 2 months following exenteration for prevention of recurrence of tumor. The general condition of patient and operation site are in good state, so we present our case as one of the therapeutic method in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland.