An unusual case of homicide of a 21-year-old man who was smothered with a hot steam towel by his mother and a pastoress in the name of exorcism. Homicidal smothering in adults is rare, but does occur when the victims are not capable of defending themselves in situations such as chronic illness, old age, drug intoxication or when restrained by other people. In this case, distinct facial scalding was a clue to smothering with a hot steam towel.
Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Homicide ; Humans ; Mothers ; Steam

Endoscopic closure techniques have been introduced for the repair of duodenal wall perforations that occur during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We report a case of successful repair of a large duodenal wall perforation by using double endoscopic band ligation (EBL) and an endoclip. Lateral duodenal wall perforation occurred during ERCP in a 93-year-old woman with acute calculous cholangitis. We switched to a forward endoscope that had a transparent band apparatus. A 2.0-cm oval-shaped perforation was found at the lateral duodenal wall. We repaired the perforation by sequentially performing double EBL and endoclipping. The first EBL was performed at the proximal edge of the perforation orifice, and two-thirds of the perforation were repaired. The second EBL, which also included the contents covered under the first EBL, repaired the defect almost completely. Finally, to account for the possible presence of a residual perforation, an endoclip was applied at the distal end of the perforation. The detection and closure of the perforation were completed within 10 minutes. We suggest that double EBL is an effective method for closure.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis ; Endoscopes ; Female ; Humans ; Ligation* ; Methods

New supplements with preventive effects against skin photodamage are receiving increasing attention. This study evaluated the anti-photoaging effects of salmon nasal cartilage proteoglycan (SPG), acting as a functional material for skin health. We administered SPG to in vitro and in vivo models exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and assessed its moisturizing and anti-wrinkle effects on dorsal mouse skin and keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts cell lines. These results showed that SPG restored the levels of filaggrin, involucrin, and AQP3 in the epidermis of UVB-irradiated dorsal skin and keratinocytes, thereby enhancing the keratinization process and water flow. Additionally, SPG treatment increased the levels of hyaluronan and skin ceramide, the major components of intercellular lipids in the epidermis. Furthermore, SPG treatment significantly increased the levels of collagen and procollagen type 1 by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase 1, which play a crucial role in skin fibroblasts, in both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, SPG strongly inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) signaling, the including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. These findings suggest that dietary SPG may be an attractive functional food for preventing UVB-induced photoaging. And this SPG product may provide its best benefit when treating several signs of skin photoaging.

New supplements with preventive effects against skin photodamage are receiving increasing attention. This study evaluated the anti-photoaging effects of salmon nasal cartilage proteoglycan (SPG), acting as a functional material for skin health. We administered SPG to in vitro and in vivo models exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and assessed its moisturizing and anti-wrinkle effects on dorsal mouse skin and keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts cell lines. These results showed that SPG restored the levels of filaggrin, involucrin, and AQP3 in the epidermis of UVB-irradiated dorsal skin and keratinocytes, thereby enhancing the keratinization process and water flow. Additionally, SPG treatment increased the levels of hyaluronan and skin ceramide, the major components of intercellular lipids in the epidermis. Furthermore, SPG treatment significantly increased the levels of collagen and procollagen type 1 by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase 1, which play a crucial role in skin fibroblasts, in both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, SPG strongly inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) signaling, the including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. These findings suggest that dietary SPG may be an attractive functional food for preventing UVB-induced photoaging. And this SPG product may provide its best benefit when treating several signs of skin photoaging.

New supplements with preventive effects against skin photodamage are receiving increasing attention. This study evaluated the anti-photoaging effects of salmon nasal cartilage proteoglycan (SPG), acting as a functional material for skin health. We administered SPG to in vitro and in vivo models exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and assessed its moisturizing and anti-wrinkle effects on dorsal mouse skin and keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts cell lines. These results showed that SPG restored the levels of filaggrin, involucrin, and AQP3 in the epidermis of UVB-irradiated dorsal skin and keratinocytes, thereby enhancing the keratinization process and water flow. Additionally, SPG treatment increased the levels of hyaluronan and skin ceramide, the major components of intercellular lipids in the epidermis. Furthermore, SPG treatment significantly increased the levels of collagen and procollagen type 1 by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase 1, which play a crucial role in skin fibroblasts, in both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, SPG strongly inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) signaling, the including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. These findings suggest that dietary SPG may be an attractive functional food for preventing UVB-induced photoaging. And this SPG product may provide its best benefit when treating several signs of skin photoaging.

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter may be toxic to human tissue. Ambient air particulate matter < or =10micrometer in aerodynamic size (PM10), which changes under different environmental conditions, is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. The Asian dust event caused by meteorological phenomena can also spread unique particulate matter in affected areas. We evaluated production of ROS, TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B by exposing normal epithelial cells to Asian dust particulate matter. METHODS: Bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to 0, 50, 100microgramg/ml of a suspension of PM10 for 24 h. ROS were detected by measurement of DCF release from DCF-DA by FACScan. TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B were detected by western blotting. RESULTS: PM10 exposure increased the expression of TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B. ROS production and TGF-betalevels were significantly higher with 50 or 100microgram/ml PM10. Fibronectin and NF kappa B production were significantly higher after 100microgram/ml of PM10. CONCLUSION: PM10 from Asian dust particles might have fibrotic potential in bronchial epithelial cells via ROS induction after PM10 exposure.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blotting, Western ; Dust ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibronectins ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; Particulate Matter ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

OBJECTIVE: The Bishop score and length of the uterine cervix are good predictors of successful labor induction. However, little is known about the association between the funneling of the uterine cervix and successful labor induction. The study aimed to evaluate cervical funneling as a predictor of successful labor induction. METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective observational study. Subjects who delivered a baby by labor induction were enrolled in the study from July 2011 to August 2013. Cervical funneling and length were examined with transvaginal ultrasonography. The Bishop score was rated by digital pelvic examination. RESULTS: A total of 163 primigravida women were recruited for the study. Of these, 137 participants (84.0%) delivered vaginally by labor induction. Cervical funneling was observed in 93 women (57.1%). Successful labor induction was significantly higher in patients with cervical funneling than those without it (91.4% vs. 74.3%, P<0.01), and was significantly associated with cervical funneling, as well as the Bishop score and cervical length. In a multivariate analysis, cervical funneling was an independent predictor for successful vaginal delivery by labor induction ( odd ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 7.10; P=0.04). However, the Bishop score and cervical length had no association with successful vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: This study showed that cervical funneling could be a predictive marker for vaginal delivery during labor induction.
Cervix Uteri* ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Gynecological Examination ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Observational Study ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Ultrasonography