OBJECTIVES: An ecofriendly alternative to chemical pesticides is bio-pesticides, which are derived from natural sources. The interest in bio-pesticides is based on the disadvantages associated with chemical pesticides. METHODS: We conducted acute toxicity assessments of camphor, a major component of bio-pesticides, by using Daphnia magna (D. magna) as well as assessed the morphological abnormalities that occurred in Danio rerio (D. rerio) embryos. RESULTS: The median effective concentration of camphor on D. magna after 48 hours was 395.0 muM, and the median lethal concentration on D. rerio embryos after 96 hours was 838.6 muM. The no observed effect concentration and predicted no effect concentration of camphor on D. magna, which was more sensitive than D. rerio, were calculated as 55.2 muM and 3.95 muM, respectively. Morphological abnormalities in D. rerio embryos exposed to camphor increased over time. Coagulation, delayed hatching, yolk sac edema, pericardial edema, and pigmentation of embryos mainly appeared between 24 and 48 hours. Further, symptoms of scoliosis and head edema occurred after 72 hours. In addition, bent tails, ocular defects and collapsed symptoms of fertilized embryonic tissue were observed after 96 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The camphor toxicity results suggest that continuous observations on the ecosystem are necessary to monitor toxicity in areas where biological pesticides containing camphor are sprayed.
Camphor* ; Daphnia* ; Ecosystem ; Edema ; Embryonic Structures ; Head ; Pesticides ; Pigmentation ; Scoliosis ; Yolk Sac ; Zebrafish*

Previously, we reported that DJ-1, encoded by a Parkinson's disease (PD)-associated gene, inhibits expression of proinflammatory mediators in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-treated astrocytes and microglia through inhibition of STAT1 activation. Here, using microglia and astrocytes cultured from wild-type (WT) and DJ-1-knockout (KO) mouse brains, we examined how DJ-1 regulates suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), a negative feedback regulator of STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription) that is also induced by STAT1. We found that IFN-gamma significantly increased SOCS1 mRNA expression in WT microglia and astrocytes, but not in KO cells, although STAT1 was highly activated in these latter cells. We further found that SOCS mRNA stability was decreased in DJ-1-KO cells, an effect that appeared to be mediated by the microRNA, miR-155. IFN-gamma increased the levels of miR-155 in DJ-1-KO cells but not in WT cells. In addition, an miR-155 inhibitor rescued SOCS1 expression and decreased STAT1 activation in DJ-1-KO cells. Taken together, these results suggest that DJ-1 efficiently regulates inflammation by maintaining SOCS1 expression through regulation of miR-155 levels, even under conditions in which STAT1 activation is decreased.
Animals ; Astrocytes* ; Brain ; Inflammation ; Interferon-gamma ; Mice ; Microglia* ; MicroRNAs ; Parkinson Disease ; RNA Stability ; RNA, Messenger ; Transducers

PURPOSE: Although numerous etiological models of premenstrual syndrome(PMS) such as the biochemical, hormonal, psychosocial models have been proposed, there is no consistent conclusion. Especially, in psychosocial model, state-dependent changes in the perception of stressors according to menstrual cycle phases was suggested for PMS. In this study, we investigated relationship between menstrual cycle and daily minor stressors in young women, and vulnerability to minor stressors in young women with PMS. METHODS: 46 female college students completed modified daily rating form(DRF) of premenstrual symptoms which based on DSM-IV criteria for PMDD, and daily stress inventory(DSI) during at least one menstrual cycle. If the mean score of at least one DRF item during premenstrual phase were more than 3 on 6 point scale and 30% increase in symptom severity during premenstrual phase compared with during postmenstrual phase, they were referred as PMS group(N=20), and the others as non-PMS group(N=26). The event, impact, and impact/event ratio scores of DSI were compared in two groups. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance with repeated measure ANOVA. And post hoc simple; repeated contrast test were performed when indicated by significant repeated measure ANOVA. RESULTS: In all subjects, the event and the impact scores in premenstrual and menstrual phases were significantly higher than in postmenstrual phase. Among the DSI categories, the impact scores of interpersonal problem and cognitive stressors in premenstrual and menstrual phases were significantly higher than in postmenstrual phase. In PMS group, there was a significant difference between premenstrual and postmenstrual phase in the impact score but not in the event score, and the event and the impact scores were significantly increased in menstrual phase than postmenstrual phase. In non-PMS group, the event and the impact scores in premenstrual and menstrual phases were significantly higher than in postmenstrual phase. There was no significant difference in the impact/event ratio scores in both groups. Between the PMS and non-PMS group, there was significant difference in the impact/event ratio scores in premenstrual phase, but not in the event score and the impact scores at any phase. CONCLUSION: Young women may experience more daily minor stressors and may be impacted more severely in premenstrual and menstrual phases than in postmenstrual phase. In premenstrual phase, the young women with PMS are likely to have more vulnerability to daily minor stressors than controls. Further studies using larger sample size with varied age are required.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Female ; Humans ; Life Change Events* ; Menstrual Cycle ; Premenstrual Syndrome* ; Sample Size

The aim of this article was to review age-dependent clinical recommendations for appropriate root canal instrumentation techniques. A comprehensive narrative review of canal morphology, the structural characteristics of dentin, and endodontic outcomes at different ages was undertaken instead of a systematic review. An electronic literature search was carried out, including the Medline (Ovid), PubMed, and Web of Science databases. The searches used controlled vocabulary and free-text terms, as follows: ‘age-related root canal treatment,’ ‘age-related instrumentation,’ ‘age-related chemo-mechanical preparation,’ ‘age-related endodontic clinical recommendations,’ ‘root canal instrumentation at different ages,’ ‘geriatric root canal treatment,’ and ‘pediatric root canal treatment.’ Due to the lack of literature with practical age-based clinical recommendations for an appropriate root canal instrumentation technique, a narrative review was conducted to suggest a clinical algorithm for choosing the most appropriate instrumentation technique during root canal treatment. Based on the evidence found through the narrative review, an age-related clinical algorithm for choosing appropriate instrumentation during root canal treatment was proposed. Age affects the morphology of the root canal system and the structural characteristics of dentin. The clinician’s awareness of root canal morphology and dentin characteristics can influence the choice of instruments for root canal treatment.

Background/Aims: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays a central role in cellular defense against inflammatory insults, and its induction in macrophages potentiates their efferocytic activity. In this study, we explored the potential role of macrophage HO-1 in the resolution of experimentally induced colitis. Methods: To induce colitis, male C57BL/6 mice were treated with 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the drinking water for 7 days. To investigate efferocytosis, apoptotic colon epithelial CCD 841 CoN cells were coincubated with bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Results: Administration of the HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) blunted the resolution of DSS-induced intestinal inflammation and expression of the proresolving M2 macrophage marker CD206. BMDMs treated with apoptotic colonic epithelial cells showed significantly elevated expression of HO-1 and its regulator Nrf2. Under the same experimental conditions, the proportion of CD206-expressing macrophages was also enhanced. ZnPP treatment abrogated the upregulation of CD206 expression in BMDMs engulfing apoptotic colonic epithelial cells. This result was verified with BMDMs isolated from HO-1-knockout mice. BMDMs, when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, exhibited increased expression of CD86, a marker of M1 macrophages.Coculture of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BMDMs with apoptotic colonic epithelial cell debris dampened the expression of CD86 as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines in an HO-1-dependent manner. Genetic ablation as well as pharmacologic inhibition of HO-1 significantly reduced the proportion of efferocytic BMDMs expressing the scavenger receptor CD36. Conclusions HO-1 plays a key role in the resolution of experimentally induced colitis by modulating the polarization of macrophages.