Decreased salivary beta-defensin 2 in children with asthma after treatment with corticosteroid inhaler.

PURPOSE: Asthma is the most common chronic disorder in childhood. Inhaled corticosteroid therapy is currently the most effective treatment for Asthma. The oral cavity complications related to this treatment may be in terms of the changes in the innate immune system of mouth. Salivary defensin has many immunomodulatory properties. The expression of beta-defensin 2 was measured before and after inhaled corticosteroid treatment in children with asthma to determine the potential impact of corticosteroids on defensin expression. METHODS: The present study was a cohort study conducted on the patients referred to Children's Medical Center for whom a diagnosis of Asthma was confirmed, and inhaled corticosteroid therapy was prescribed. Saliva was sampled once at the stage of diagnosis and before receiving any treatment. Another salivary sample was collected 4 weeks after receiving corticosteroids. ELISA was performed to assess beta-defensin 2. RESULTS: The beta-defensin 2 salivary level after inhaled corticosteroid therapy was significantly lower than before treatment. There is no significant difference in the salivary flow rate before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the limitations of the present study, the following conclusions can be made salivary beta-defensin 2 is decreased in children with asthma after treatment with a corticosteroid inhaler. Regular dental and oral soft tissue examinations in Asthmatic children under corticosteroid therapy could be suggested.

Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase Knockdown Leads to Lipid Accumulation in HepG2 Cells through The SIRT1-AMPK Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), which is responsible for biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), has a regulatory role in cellular metabolism and thus, might be implicated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to show how NAMPT down-regulation in liver cells influences lipid metabolism and sirtiun 1 (SIRT1), as the main NAD-dependent deacetylase enzyme. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, HepG2 cells were transfected with NAMPT siRNA and hepatic triglyceride (TG) content and SIRT1 deacetylase activity were measured by colorimetric and fluorometric methods, respectively. Gene expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP- 1c) was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Total protein level and the phosphorylated form of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) were also investigated by western blotting. RESULTS: Knockdown of NAMPT significantly promoted the accumulation of TG in HepG2 cells, accompanied by a remarkable decline in SIRT1 deacetylase activity. A significant rise in the gene expression of two key lipogenic factors, FAS and SREBP-1c was also observed. These effects were also accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of ACC and AMPK. On the other hand, treatment of transfected cells with either NAD, as the SIRT1 substrate or resveratrol, as the SIRT1 activator reversed the outcomes. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated a protective role for NAMPT against NAFLD and its involvement in the regulation of de novo lipogenesis through the SIRT1/AMPK pathway.

Human colon cancer HT-29 cell death responses to doxorubicin and Morus Alba leaves flavonoid extract.

The mechanistic basis for the biological properties of Morus alba flavonoid extract (MFE) and chemotherapy drug of doxorubicin on human colon cancer HT-29 cell line death are unknown. The effect of doxorubicin and flavonoid extract on colon cancer HT-29 cell line death and identification of APC gene expression and PARP concentration of HT-29 cell line were investigated. The results showed that flavonoid extract and doxorubicin induce a dose dependent cell death in HT-29 cell line. MFE and doxorubicin exert a cytotoxic effect on human colon cancer HT-29 cell line by probably promoting or induction of apoptosis.

The implications of telemedicine for nursing.

Telemedicine can be used to deliver health care in a range of situations. It has many potential nursing applications. Nurses need to develop the necessary skills to make the optimum use of this technology.