PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of leg length discrepancy on kinematic changes of the pelvis and hip during gait. METHODS: A total of ten healthy women with no history of neurological, musculoskeletal surgery or injuries, or pain in the lower limbs were recruited. They were assigned to two groups; the experimental group (LLD) consisting of five subjects leg length discrepancy of 10mm to 18mm and the control group (CON) consisting of five subjects leg length discrepancy of<10 mm. All participants were instructed to perform three walking trials for further analysis by using the Cortex 3.0 software program. Independent T-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to examine the effects of mild LLD on kinematic changes of the pelvis and hip during gait. RESULTS: Angles of hip flexion, hip abduction, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic tilt in the experimental group were not significantly different compared to those of the control group. CONCLUSION Mild leg length discrepancy induces kinematic changes in the lower limbs, including decreased hip flexion, increased hip abduction, and increased pelvic obliquity in the shorter limb, and increased hip adduction and increased pelvic obliquity in the longer limb. However, those changes were not significant.

The cytokine pattern on viral antigen recognition is believed to exert a profound influence on the resolution of viral infections and viral clearance. This study was initiated to investigate whether a cytokine imbalance oriented toward Th2 type response plays a role in chronic hepatitis B. Cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells associated with chronic hepatitis B were analysed by RT-PCR. Upon HBsAg stimulation, expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 was detected in 41%, 8%, 41%, and 50% of the patients, respectively. Among these cytokines, the expression of IFN-gamma was associated with high levels of serum AST/ALT. However, we could not prove that Th2 type cytokines had a protective effect on hepatocytes. Upon HBxAg stimulation, there was no recognizable association of cytokine patterns with AST/ALT levels. In conclusion, production of a Th1 cytokine, IFN-gamma, by HBsAg-reactive cells was associated with hepatocyte damage in chronic hepatitis B, while no counteracting effect of Th2 cytokines produced by those cells was observed.
Cytokines/genetics ; Cytokines/biosynthesis* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/pharmacology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/immunology* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/immunology* ; Human ; Interferon Type II/genetics ; Interferon Type II/biosynthesis ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology ; Liver/cytology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/pharmacology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology ; Th1 Cells/immunology* ; Th1 Cells/drug effects ; Th2 Cells/immunology* ; Th2 Cells/drug effects ; Trans-Activators/pharmacology ; Trans-Activators/immunology*

Assays of clinical diagnosis and species identification using molecular markers are performed according to a quantitative method in consideration of sensitivity, cost, speed, convenience, and specificity. However, typical polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay is difficult to quantify and have various limitations. In addition, to perform quantitative analysis with the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) equipment, a standard curve or normalization using reference genes is essential. Within the last a decade, previous studies have reported that the digital PCR (dPCR) assay, a third-generation PCR, can be applied in various fields by overcoming the shortcomings of typical PCR and qRT-PCR assays. We selected Stilla Naica System (Stilla Technologies), Droplet Digital PCR Technology (Bio-Rad), and Lab on an Array Digital Real-Time PCR analyzer system (OPTOLANE) for comparative analysis among the various droplet digital PCR platforms currently in use commercially. Our previous study discovered a molecular marker that can distinguish Hanwoo species (Korean native cattle) using Hanwoo-specific genomic structural variation. Here, we report the pros and cons of the operation of each dPCR platform from various perspectives using this species identification marker. In conclusion, we hope that this study will help researchers to select suitable dPCR platforms according to their purpose and resources.

In this study, we have successfully established a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the quality assessment of Actinidiae Fructus Vermicultus, known as Mokcheonryo(ja) in Korea. This is the dried vermiculate fruit of Actinidia polygama and A. kolomikta, as stipulated by the Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia (KHP). However, the Korean herbal market often witnesses the inclusion and distribution of ‘Mihudo’, an alternative herbal product sourced from the dried fruits of A. arguta, belonging to the same botanical genus. This confluence has raised substantial apprehensions concerning the veracity of quality. In response to this concern, we have meticulously developed an HPTLC analytical methodology capable of differentiation between Mokcheonryo and Mihudo by exploiting their distinct chemical profiles. We identified umbelliferone as a key marker compound for Mokcheonryo and quantified the content of umbelliferone in each sample using a TLC scanner. Throughout this study, we confirmed distinct fingerprints for Mokcheonryo and Mihudo, providing a reliable means to differentiate between these two herbal medicines. Furthermore, the presence of umbelliferone in Mokcheonryo serves as an indicator compound for quality assessment. The proposed HPTLC method offers a practical and effective tool for ensuring the quality and authenticity of Mokcheonryo in the herbal market.

Heme oxygenase-1-derived carbon monoxide prevents inflammatory vascular disorders. To date, there is no clear evidence that HO-1/CO prevents endothelial dysfunction associated with the downregulation of endothelial NO synthesis in human endothelial cells stimulated with TNF-α. Here, we found that the CO-releasing compound CORM-2 prevented TNF-α-mediated decreases in eNOS expression and NO/cGMP production, without affecting eNOS promoter activity, by maintaining the functional activity of the eNOS mRNA 3′-untranslated region. By contrast, CORM-2 inhibited MIR155HG expression and miR-155-5p biogenesis in TNF-α-stimulated endothelial cells, resulting in recovery of the 3′-UTR activity of eNOS mRNA, a target of miR-155-5p. The beneficial effect of CORM-2 was blocked by an NF-κB inhibitor, a miR-155-5p mimic, a HO-1 inhibitor and siRNA against HO-1, indicating that CO rescues TNF-α-induced eNOS downregulation through NF-κB-responsive miR-155-5p expression via HO-1 induction; similar protective effects of ectopic HO-1 expression and bilirubin were observed in endothelial cells treated with TNF-α. Moreover, heme degradation products, except iron and N-acetylcysteine prevented H₂O₂-mediated miR-155-5p biogenesis and eNOS downregulation. These data demonstrate that CO prevents TNF-α-mediated eNOS downregulation by inhibiting redox-sensitive miR-155-5p biogenesis through a positive forward circuit between CO and HO-1 induction. This circuit may play an important preventive role in inflammatory endothelial dysfunction associated with human vascular diseases.
Acetylcysteine ; Bilirubin ; Carbon Monoxide* ; Carbon* ; Down-Regulation* ; Endothelial Cells ; Heme ; Humans ; Iron ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Vascular Diseases

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in pathologic ocular neovascularization and vascular leakage via activation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). This study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic mechanisms and effects of the tetrapeptide Arg-Leu-Tyr-Glu (RLYE), a VEGFR2 inhibitor, in the development of vascular permeability and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). In cultured human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs), treatment with RLYE blocked VEGF-A-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2, Akt, ERK, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), leading to suppression of VEGF-A-mediated hyper-production of NO. Treatment with RLYE also inhibited VEGF-A-stimulated angiogenic processes (migration, proliferation, and tube formation) and the hyperpermeability of HRMECs, in addition to attenuating VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis and vascular permeability in mice. The anti-vascular permeability activity of RLYE was correlated with enhanced stability and positioning of the junction proteins VE-cadherin, β-catenin, claudin-5, and ZO-1, critical components of the cortical actin ring structure and retinal endothelial barrier, at the boundary between HRMECs stimulated with VEGF-A. Furthermore, intravitreally injected RLYE bound to retinal microvascular endothelium and inhibited laser-induced CNV in mice. These findings suggest that RLYE has potential as a therapeutic drug for the treatment of CNV by preventing VEGFR2-mediated vascular leakage and angiogenesis.
Actins ; Animals ; Capillary Permeability ; Choroid ; Choroidal Neovascularization ; Claudin-5 ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Permeability ; Phosphorylation ; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ; Retinaldehyde ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A