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

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

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.

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.

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*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of gene polymorphisms of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)-1377C/T and expression of TLR3 with the susceptibility to enterovirus 71 (EV71) encephalitis in children.

METHODSA total of 187 children with EV71 infection (59 children in the encephalitis group and 128 in the non-encephalitis group) and 232 children who underwent physical examination were enrolled in the case-control study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to detect the TLR3-1377C/T gene polymorphisms. ELISA was used to measure the serum level of TLR3.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of TLR3-1377C/T between the non-encephalitis group and the encephalitis group. Compared with the control group, the encephalitis group and the non-encephalitis group had significant increases in the serum level of TLR3 (P<0.05), and the non-encephalitis group had the highest level (P<0.05). The encephalitis group had a significantly higher EV71 viral load than the non-encephalitis group (P<0.01). The children aged <1 year or ≥1 year in the encephalitis group and the non-encephalitis group had significant increases in the serum level of TLR3 compared with their counterparts in the control group (P<0.05), and the children aged <1 year or ≥1 year in the non-encephalitis group had a significantly higher serum level of TLR3 than those in the encephalitis group (P<0.05). In the encephalitis group, the children aged ≥1 year had a significantly higher TLR3 concentration than those aged <1 year (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the TLR3 concentration between the children aged ≥1 year and <1 year in the non-encephalitis group and the control group. In the encephalitis group, the proportion of children aged <1 year was significantly higher than those aged ≥1 year (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe TLR3-1377C/T gene polymorphisms are not significantly associated with the development of EV71 encephalitis. Low expression of TLR3 might weaken the inhibitory effect on virus replication and promote the development of EV71 encephalitis. The deficiency in the expression of TLR3 in serum after EV71 infection might be an important factor for the development of encephalitis in infants.

Child, Preschool ; Encephalitis, Viral ; genetics ; Enterovirus A, Human ; Enterovirus Infections ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; genetics