Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai, a well known traditional herb grown in Jeju Island, South of Korea, has been used as a tonic and sedative agent, as well as in the treatment of diabetes and immune diseases. Mutagenicity of two lignans, syringaresinol and tortoside A isolated from A. koreanum, was assessed using Salmonella/microsome (Ames) test. Tester strains used were Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA. The mutagenic activity was determined both in the absence or presence of S9 mixture. As a result, tortoside A did not cause any increase in the number of his+ revertants in S. typhimurium and E. coli WP2uvrA strains in the presence or absence of S9 mix, compared to the controls. Similarly, low concentrations of syringaresinol (750 and 1,500 microg/plate) did not show any mutagenic properties in all bacterial strains, in the presence or absence of S9 mixture. However, in the high concentration of syringaresinol (3,000 microg/plate), the number of revertants were increased in TA1535 strains, in the absence of S9 metabolic activation. Therefore, in vivo experiments such as comet assay are needed to further determine the genotoxic/carciogenic potential of syringaresinol isolated from A. koreanum.
Eleutherococcus* ; Biotransformation ; Comet Assay ; Escherichia coli ; Immune System Diseases ; Korea ; Lignans* ; Salmonella typhimurium

BACKGROUND: In this study, we have investigated the effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on the production of TNF-alpha and IL-8 in human keratinocytes. Also, to examine the antioxidative effect of red ginseng extracts, free radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in human dermal fibroblasts was measured. METHODS: To investigate the effect of KRG in atopic dermatitis, we measured the level of TNF-alpha and IL-8 secretion in LPS-stimulated human keratinocytes after the treatment of KRG extracts using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-oxidative activity was investigated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and SOD activity. RESULTS: The stimulation of human keratinocytes with KRG extracts shifted the LPS-induced cytokine secretion toward a more immunosuppressive response. KRG dose-dependently decreased TNF-alpha and IL-8 production in HaCaT cells and a significant inhibition of TNF-alpha was shown when cells were treated with 500 and 1,000 microg/ml of KRG extracts. Additionally, KRG extracts showed DPPH radical scavenging and SOD activity in a dose-dependent manner. Particularly, SOD activities of concentrations higher than 60 microg/ml of KRG extracts were significantly different in human dermal fibroblast cells. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, KRG extracts may be a useful immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Biphenyl Compounds ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; Keratinocytes ; Panax ; Picrates ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Objective To explore the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) apoptosis pathway in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mechanism of renal interstitial fibrosis in rats.Methods The rats were randomly divided into con-trol group and model group,UUO group line ligation of the left ureter,three days 3,7 and 14 days HE and Masson staining were used to observe the renal pathological changes;Take blood retinal venous plexus,separat and determina-tion of serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine;Western blot was used to find protein 78 (GRP78) glucose regula-tion,endoplasmic reticulum source sex transcription factor (CHOP) and apoptosis related proteins cysteine aspartic acid proteinase 3(caspase-3) and caspase-12 protein expression. Results Compared with control group,the visible UUO model group 1) expansion of renal tubule and renal interstitial fibrosis degree with the extension of ureteral ob-struction time and progressive increase;2) GRP78,CHOP,caspase-3 and caspase-12 protein expression in postoper-ative 3 d have to rise,as the obstruction prolonged,the protein expression more significantly(P<0.01).Conclusions Endoplasmic reticulum stress related trademark protein in UUO rat renal interstitial fibrosis is the increase in expres-sion may promote the early renal interstitial fibrosis and continuous progress.

The quality of SCI papers is one of the objective indexes of evaluation on scientific and technological strength and research capabilities.This paper introduced a comprehensive management strategy to promote the publication of SCI papers with high impact factors,in terms of such dimensions ass research orientation,financial and technical support,personnel training,and scientific research management platform.The short and long term effects of the comprehensive management strategy system were analyzed using the SCI papers publication data and IF data from 201 1 to 2014 at the hospital,as a reference for building a scientific management system of SCI papers for the administrators.

Objective To explore the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) apoptosis pathway in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mechanism of renal interstitial fibrosis in rats.Methods The rats were randomly divided into con-trol group and model group,UUO group line ligation of the left ureter,three days 3,7 and 14 days HE and Masson staining were used to observe the renal pathological changes;Take blood retinal venous plexus,separat and determina-tion of serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine;Western blot was used to find protein 78 (GRP78) glucose regula-tion,endoplasmic reticulum source sex transcription factor (CHOP) and apoptosis related proteins cysteine aspartic acid proteinase 3(caspase-3) and caspase-12 protein expression. Results Compared with control group,the visible UUO model group 1) expansion of renal tubule and renal interstitial fibrosis degree with the extension of ureteral ob-struction time and progressive increase;2) GRP78,CHOP,caspase-3 and caspase-12 protein expression in postoper-ative 3 d have to rise,as the obstruction prolonged,the protein expression more significantly(P<0.01).Conclusions Endoplasmic reticulum stress related trademark protein in UUO rat renal interstitial fibrosis is the increase in expres-sion may promote the early renal interstitial fibrosis and continuous progress.

Aim To establish a rapid method to efficiently iso-late mononuclear cells from central nervous system ( CNS) tis-sues of mice that can be effectively utilized for identification of various immune cell populations in a single sample by flow cy-tometry. Methods For defining the feasibility and practicality of the method, wild-type C57BL/6 mice and two mouse models of CNS disease including EAE mice and APP/PS1 mice were used in this study. After the collection and homogenization of the brain and spinal cord tissues respectively, the mononuclear cells were isolated by spinning the 70% -30% Percoll gradients. Cell activities were detected by trypan blue staining, and the im-mune population that infiltrated CNS was identified by flow cy-tometry. Results The results of trypan blue staining showed that the survival rate of the isolated cells was above 90% in all groups. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the relative num- bers of lymphocytes infiltrating CNS of EAE and AD mice in-creased significantly compared with wild-type C57BL/6 mice. In addition, the relative numbers of Th1 and Th17 cell subsets me-diating the inflammatory response also increased significantly, while the decreased regulatory T cells frequency was observed in the two mouse models of CNS disease. Conclusions The cells isolated by the 70% ~30% Percoll gradients centrifugation can be effectively utilized for the identification of various immune cell populations in a single sample by flow cytometry. The meth-od described in this article is simple and rapid in operation and with high survival rate and activity of the cells, which can be ap-plied to the study of the mononuclear cells in CNS.

Objective To investigate the level of health literacy of residents in Jing′an District of Shanghai, providing basis for the intervention programs of health literacy. Methods By using Probability Proportionate to Size Sampling method, 1 760 residents aged 15-69 were surveyed through face-to-face interviews. Results The overall level of adjusted health literacy of Jing′an District was 31.89%.The health literacy level of basic health concepts and knowledge, health lifestyle and behaviors, and health related skills were 46.30%, 27.02%, 43.44%, respectively.The 6 health issues regarding awareness of health literacy from high to low were safety and first aid (65.49%), scientific attitude towards health(60.75%), health information literacy(56.86%), chronic diseases prevention (34.22%), basic medical care(31.10%), and infectious diseases prevention (24.28%).People of 65-69 years old had the lowest health literacy level (χ²=22.03, P < 0.05).Those with collage degree or above had higher health literacy level (χ²=43.54, P < 0.05).In terms of occupation, civil servant had higher health literacy level(χ²=22.78, P < 0.05). Conclusion The level of health literacy in Jing′an District is on a steady rise, however, intensive intervention is needed for residents with lower health literacy.

Initially described in young Japanese women, Kikuchi's disease predominantly produces histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis of the cervical lymph nodes along with fever; it always follows a benign course with excellent outcomes. Kikuchi's disease is rarely associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the microscopic features of Kikuchi's disease can be similar to lupus lymphadenitis. Patients with Kikuchi's disease should be assessed for SLE and have long-term follow-up evaluations for the development of SLE. We present a 21-year-old woman with tender multiple cervical lymphadenopathy and the clinical manifestations of SLE.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis* ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphadenitis ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Young Adult

Mirizzi syndrome is commonly defined as a common hepatic duct obstruction caused by extrinsic compression from an impacted stone in the cystic duct. Mirizzi syndrome has traditionally been treated surgically. However, there are several case reports and small series describing endoscopic and percutaneous alternatives to open surgery. We encountered two cases of type I Mirizzi syndrome that was successfully treated endoscopically. We report these cases with a review of the relevant literature.
Cystic Duct ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Mirizzi Syndrome*

BACKGROUND: Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is a proliferative histiocytic disorder of unknown cause formerly referred to histiocytosis X, with pathologic characteristics of abnormal proliferation of histiocytes which belong to the mononuclear phagocytes. The clinical manifestations range in severity from solitary lytic bone lesions to fatal multisystem disease, typically with indolent clinical courses. The authors reported here, the clinical features and therapeutic outcomes of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis according to stage and prognostic features. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 38 cases with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis confirmed by biopsy from March 1983 to March 1998 in Severance hospital for disease course, treatment, and late sequelae. RESULTS: 1) Median age of the patients was 3 years-old, and the male to female ratio was 2.2:1. 2) Fifteen cases were less than 2 years of age, 21 had soft tissue involvements, 10 had more than 4 organ involvement, and 8 had involved organ dysfunction. 3) As for the clinical stages, 19 cases were in stage I, 9 in stage II, 4 in stage III, and 6 in stage IV. As for the pathologic stages, 15 had monostic disease, 2 had polyostic disease, and 21 had multisytemic disease. 4) The incidence of more than 4 organ involvement in cases <2 years was significantly higher than that of cases > or = 2 years [53.3% (8/15) vs 8.7% (2/23), P=0.004], and the incidence of organ dysfunction in cases <2 years of age had a trend toward higher than that of cases > or = 2 years [33.3% (5/15) vs 3% (3/23)], indicating that cases <2 years had more frequent multisystem disease. In contrast, the incidences of more than 4 organ involvement and organ dysfunction in cases <15 years were similar to those of cases > or = 15 years. There was a significant correlation between the presence of more than 4 organ involvement and organ dysfunction (P=0.041). 5) The response rate of all cases was 71% (27 cases), and the response rate of 25 cases who received chemotherapy was 60% (15 cases). There was no difference in the response rate according to the type of chemotherapy. Overall survival rate was 63.4% at 50 months, disease-free survival rate was 56.7% at 24 months. The disease free survival rate was significantly lower in cases younger than 2 years of age than cases older than 2 years of age (P=0.047), in cases with 4 or more organs involvement than 3 or less (P=0.0002), in cases with evidence of organ dysfunction than without evidence of organ dysfunction (P=0.082), and in cases with soft tissue involvement than with only bone involvement (P=0.043). There was significant differences in disease free survival rate according to clinical stage (P=0.001). The overall survival and disease free survival rate of the cases older than 15 years of age were similar to those of the cases younger than 15 years of age were similar to those of the cases younger than 15 years of age. 6) Five cases died during follow-up periods, organ involvement, and organ dysfunction were found to be important prognostic factors, and cases with lesions limited to skeletal system showed more than 90% of survival rate. In the future, clinical investigation enrolled with more cases about the difference of clinical features and therapeutic outcomes between adult patients and pediatric patients should be warranted.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Child, Preschool ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytes ; Histiocytosis* ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Medical Records ; Phagocytes ; Survival Rate