No abstract available.
Candidemia* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: Triptolide (TP) has been reported to suppress the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), of which main function is to inactivate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2), the p38 MAPK and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1/2 (JNK-1/2), and to exert antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. However, the mechanisms underlying antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of TP are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the down-regulation of MKP-1 expression by TP would account for antiproliferative activity of TP in immortalized HT22 hippocampal cells. METHODS: MKP-1 expression and MAPK phosphorylation were analyzed by Western blot. Cell proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against MKP-1, vanadate (a phosphatase inhibitor), U0126 (a specific inhibitor for ERK-1/2), SB203580 (a specific inhibitor for p38 MAPK), and SP600125 (a specific inhibitor for JNK-1/2) were employed to evaluate a possible mechanism of antiproliferative action of TP. RESULTS: At its non-cytotoxic dose, TP suppressed MKP-1 expression, reduced cell growth, and induced persistent ERK-1/2 activation. Similar growth inhibition and ERK-1/2 activation were observed when MKP-1 expression was blocked by MKP-1 siRNA and its activity was inhibited by vanadate. The antiproliferative effects of TP, MKP-1 siRNA, and vanadate were significantly abolished by U0126, but not by SB203580 or SP600125. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that TP inhibits the growth of immortalized HT22 hippocampal cells via persistent ERK-1/2 activation by suppressing MKP-1 expression. Additionally, this study provides evidence supporting that MKP-1 may play an important role in regulation of neuronal cell growth.
Anthracenes ; Blotting, Western ; Butadienes ; Cell Proliferation ; Diterpenes ; Down-Regulation ; Epoxy Compounds ; Imidazoles ; Neurons ; Nitriles ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phenanthrenes ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinases ; Pyridines ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Vanadates

Objective: Mental health problems such as anxiety, panic, and depression have been exacerbated by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to compare the symptom severities and overall function before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with panic disorder (PD) seeking treatment compared to healthy controls (HCs). Methods: Baseline data were collected from the two groups (patients with PD and HCs) in two separate periods: before COVID-19 (Jan 2016–Dec 2019) and during COVID-19 (Mar 2020–Jul 2022). A total 453 participants (before COVID-19: 246 [139 patients with PD and 107 HCs], during COVID-19: 207 [86 patients with PD and 121 HCs]) was included. Scales for panic and depressive symptoms and overall function were administered. Additionally, network analyses were performed to compare the two groups within the patients with PD. Results: The results of two-way analysis of variance analyses showed that patients with PD enrolled during COVID-19 showed higher levels of interoceptive fear and lower overall functioning. In addition, a network comparison test revealed that a significantly high strength and expected influence for agoraphobia and avoidance in patients with PD during COVID-19. Conclusion This study suggested that the overall function could have worsened, and the importance of agoraphobia and avoidance as a central symptom may have increased in patients with PD seeking treatment during COVID-19.

Genioplasty ; Humans ; Incisor ; Molar ; Osteotomy ; Surgery, Oral

Bone Regeneration ; Calcium Phosphates ; Dental Implants ; Mandible ; Osteogenesis ; Pilot Projects ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Korea is one of high incidence areas of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and major etiologic factor is hepatitis B virus (HBV). In future incidence of HBV related HCC may decrease and non viral hepatitis HCC (Non-B,C HCC) relatively increase because of widely used vaccination for HBV. To evaluate epidemiological characters of Non-B,C HCC, We divided HCC by viral or non-viral feature and compared each others. METHODS: 185 patients firstly diagnosed HCC and 455 normal subjects included from January 1997 to December 2000 and divided into 3 groups, HBV group (positive HBsAg), HCV group (positive anti-HCV Ab) and Non-B,C group (both negative HBsAg and anti-HCV Ab). RESULTS: 136 cases were HBV group (73.5%), 19 cases were HCV group (10.3%) and 27 cases were Non-B,C group (14.6%). Mean age of Non-B,C group at diagnosis was higher than HBV group (64.1+/-7.1 vs 55.6+/-7.7). Non-B,C HCC were more associated with alcohol abuse and rural residence (p<0.01). There was no difference of family history of liver disease, coexistence rate of liver cirrhosis and occupation. CONCLUSION: Non-B,C HCC tended to be older in mean age than HBV HCC and more associated with alcohol abuse and rural residence. This characteristics of Non-B,C HCC supposed to be from difference in alcohol consumption and environment.
Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diagnosis ; Fibrinogen ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Occupations ; Vaccination

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by fibrous obliteration of intrahepatic bile ductules.Although the etiopathogenesis of PBC remains unclear,several studies suggest that a disordered immune response may be involved.This disease is commonly associated with various autoimmune diseases,such as Sjogren's syndrome,scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis,Hashimoto's thyroiditis,polymyositis,and pernicious anemia.More than 80%of cases with PBC are accompanied by at least one autoimmune disorder,and 40%by two or more. Sjogren's syndrome,defined by dry eyes and xerostomia,may be found in 69 to 81%of PBC patients. However, concurrent coexistence of PBC and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)has been rarely described in the literature.We report a 46-year-old female with PBC and Sjogren's syndrome who also satisfied a classification criteria of SLE.
Bile ; Classification ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Middle Aged ; Sjogren's Syndrome