BACKGROUND: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is one of the principal inducers of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in lymphocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of IL-18 on the expression of chemokine IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA in C57BL/6 mouse peritoneal macrophages was studied by using Northern blot analysis, enzyme linked immunosobent assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: IL-18 was determined to exert no direct effect on the expression of IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA. However, IL-18 pretreatment was determined to play a cooperative role in the synergistic induction of LPS-induced IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA expression. The effect associated with IL-18 pretreatment with regard to the synergistic induction of LPS-induced IP-10 (CXCL10) mRNA expression was detected after 16 hr of IL-18 pretreatment, administered prior to LPS stimulation. The pattern of NF-kB binding activity during IL-18 pretreatment with LPS stimulation was found to coincide with the expression of IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA. CONCLUSION: Although IL-18 alone exerts no direct effect on the expression of chemokine IP-10(CXCL10), a definite period of IL-18 pretreatment induces the synergistic expression of LPS-induced IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA. NF-kB activation is a component of this synergistic effect of IL-18 pretreatment. These results provide useful information, which may facilitate the elucidation of the action mechanisms underlying IL-18 effect on the expression of IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA.
Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-18* ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; RNA, Messenger* ; Up-Regulation*

Since allergic rhinitis is a disease with a very high prevalence, it is common to find patients with allergic rhinitis among aviation workers. However, they are so afraid that the report of rhinitis will have a negative effect on the evaluation of one's work suitability. Therefore, aviation medical examiners (AMEs) must be able to accurately understand the nature of allergic rhinitis, and confidently explain that appropriate treatment of rhinitis has a positive effect on their performance. In the treatment of allergic rhinitis, there are some medications that may cause drowsiness,which may impair the accuracy and safety of the aviation service. Therefore, AMEs should accurately know safe drugs that do not cause drowsiness and prescribe them to patients. In addition, it is necessary to know exactly whether air workersmay receive the latest treatments for allergic rhinitis, such as surgical treatment andimmunotherapy, and be able to recommend these treatments appropriately. Therefore,in this paper, we first briefly describe the pathophysiology, genetics, causative antigen,symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of allergic rhinitis. We also aimed to discuss safemedication and other treatment modalities for allergic rhinitis.

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Blood Coagulation Factors* ; Fibrinogen*

No abstract available.
Blood Coagulation Factors* ; Fibrinogen*

No abstract available.
Biliary Atresia* ; Hepatitis*

No abstract available.
DNA*

Objective: To examine the effects of Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) extract on the modulation of calcium channels to evaluate its use in topical agents for treatment of atopic dermatitis. Methods: The 70% methanol extract of T. terrestris was prepared. Human HEK293T cells with over-expressed calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1 (Orai1), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, or transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) were treated with T. terrestris extract. Modulation of ion channels was measured using a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results: T. terrestris extract (100 mg/mL) significantly inhibited Orai1 activity in Orai1-stromal interaction molecule 1 co-overexpressed HEK293T cells. In addition, T. terrestris extract significantly increased the TRPV3 activity compared with 2-Aminoethyl diphe-nylborinate (100 mmol/L), which induces the full activation of TRPV3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that T. terrestris extract may have a therapeutic po-tential for recovery of abnormal skin barrier pathologies in atopic dermatitis through modulating the activities of calcium ion channels, Orai1 and TRPV3. This is the first study to report the modulatory effect of a medicinal plant on the function of ion channels in skin barrier.

Four cases of testicular embryonal cell CA and one case of testicular teratoma in childhood are presented, and related literatures are reviewed.
Teratoma

One case of congenital hypoplastic kidney associated with tuberculosis in 28 year old man is presented and related literatures reviewed.
Adult ; Humans ; Kidney* ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Renal