BACKGROUND: In this study, we have investigated the effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on the production of TNF-alpha and IL-8 in human keratinocytes. Also, to examine the antioxidative effect of red ginseng extracts, free radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in human dermal fibroblasts was measured. METHODS: To investigate the effect of KRG in atopic dermatitis, we measured the level of TNF-alpha and IL-8 secretion in LPS-stimulated human keratinocytes after the treatment of KRG extracts using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-oxidative activity was investigated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and SOD activity. RESULTS: The stimulation of human keratinocytes with KRG extracts shifted the LPS-induced cytokine secretion toward a more immunosuppressive response. KRG dose-dependently decreased TNF-alpha and IL-8 production in HaCaT cells and a significant inhibition of TNF-alpha was shown when cells were treated with 500 and 1,000 microg/ml of KRG extracts. Additionally, KRG extracts showed DPPH radical scavenging and SOD activity in a dose-dependent manner. Particularly, SOD activities of concentrations higher than 60 microg/ml of KRG extracts were significantly different in human dermal fibroblast cells. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, KRG extracts may be a useful immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Biphenyl Compounds ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; Keratinocytes ; Panax ; Picrates ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai, a well known traditional herb grown in Jeju Island, South of Korea, has been used as a tonic and sedative agent, as well as in the treatment of diabetes and immune diseases. Mutagenicity of two lignans, syringaresinol and tortoside A isolated from A. koreanum, was assessed using Salmonella/microsome (Ames) test. Tester strains used were Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA. The mutagenic activity was determined both in the absence or presence of S9 mixture. As a result, tortoside A did not cause any increase in the number of his+ revertants in S. typhimurium and E. coli WP2uvrA strains in the presence or absence of S9 mix, compared to the controls. Similarly, low concentrations of syringaresinol (750 and 1,500 microg/plate) did not show any mutagenic properties in all bacterial strains, in the presence or absence of S9 mixture. However, in the high concentration of syringaresinol (3,000 microg/plate), the number of revertants were increased in TA1535 strains, in the absence of S9 metabolic activation. Therefore, in vivo experiments such as comet assay are needed to further determine the genotoxic/carciogenic potential of syringaresinol isolated from A. koreanum.
Eleutherococcus* ; Biotransformation ; Comet Assay ; Escherichia coli ; Immune System Diseases ; Korea ; Lignans* ; Salmonella typhimurium

The quality of SCI papers is one of the objective indexes of evaluation on scientific and technological strength and research capabilities.This paper introduced a comprehensive management strategy to promote the publication of SCI papers with high impact factors,in terms of such dimensions ass research orientation,financial and technical support,personnel training,and scientific research management platform.The short and long term effects of the comprehensive management strategy system were analyzed using the SCI papers publication data and IF data from 201 1 to 2014 at the hospital,as a reference for building a scientific management system of SCI papers for the administrators.

Purpose: Cuscuta australis R. Brown (CA) is a parasitic plant that attaches to host plants and disrupts the growth, nutrient absorption, and overall development of leguminous plants.However, CA is known to contain various bioactive components, including vitamin A, β-carotene, lutein, and kaempferol, which have demonstrated pharmacological effects in immune responses. This study aims to investigate the potential benefits of CA extracts obtained using different extraction methods to explore its potential as a novel natural resource for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Methods: In this study, water (CAW), ethanol (CAE), and hot water (CAHW) extracts of CA were prepared to investigate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in RAW264.7 cells. Results: The CAHW group exhibited the highest levels of antioxidant compounds, such as total polyphenols and flavonoids, resulting in a significantly higher ferric reducing antioxidant power compared to the other groups. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylen-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical scavenging activities were also high in the CAHW and CAE groups but were lower compared to the positive control, ascorbic acid. In RAW264.7 cells, CA extracts at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL showed no cytotoxicity, and nitric oxide (NO) production was reduced in a dose-dependent manner.At a concentration of 200 μg/mL, all the CA extracts exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity by modulating the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway, effectively resulting in the down-regulation of inflammation-related genes such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 in RAW264.7 cells, with the CAHW extract demonstrating the most potent inhibitory effect among all the CA extract groups. Conclusion Overall, CA extraction is effective for both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with the hot water extraction method proving to be the most effective.

Purpose: Cuscuta australis R. Brown (CA) is a parasitic plant that attaches to host plants and disrupts the growth, nutrient absorption, and overall development of leguminous plants.However, CA is known to contain various bioactive components, including vitamin A, β-carotene, lutein, and kaempferol, which have demonstrated pharmacological effects in immune responses. This study aims to investigate the potential benefits of CA extracts obtained using different extraction methods to explore its potential as a novel natural resource for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Methods: In this study, water (CAW), ethanol (CAE), and hot water (CAHW) extracts of CA were prepared to investigate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in RAW264.7 cells. Results: The CAHW group exhibited the highest levels of antioxidant compounds, such as total polyphenols and flavonoids, resulting in a significantly higher ferric reducing antioxidant power compared to the other groups. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylen-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical scavenging activities were also high in the CAHW and CAE groups but were lower compared to the positive control, ascorbic acid. In RAW264.7 cells, CA extracts at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL showed no cytotoxicity, and nitric oxide (NO) production was reduced in a dose-dependent manner.At a concentration of 200 μg/mL, all the CA extracts exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity by modulating the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway, effectively resulting in the down-regulation of inflammation-related genes such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 in RAW264.7 cells, with the CAHW extract demonstrating the most potent inhibitory effect among all the CA extract groups. Conclusion Overall, CA extraction is effective for both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with the hot water extraction method proving to be the most effective.

Purpose: Cuscuta australis R. Brown (CA) is a parasitic plant that attaches to host plants and disrupts the growth, nutrient absorption, and overall development of leguminous plants.However, CA is known to contain various bioactive components, including vitamin A, β-carotene, lutein, and kaempferol, which have demonstrated pharmacological effects in immune responses. This study aims to investigate the potential benefits of CA extracts obtained using different extraction methods to explore its potential as a novel natural resource for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Methods: In this study, water (CAW), ethanol (CAE), and hot water (CAHW) extracts of CA were prepared to investigate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in RAW264.7 cells. Results: The CAHW group exhibited the highest levels of antioxidant compounds, such as total polyphenols and flavonoids, resulting in a significantly higher ferric reducing antioxidant power compared to the other groups. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylen-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical scavenging activities were also high in the CAHW and CAE groups but were lower compared to the positive control, ascorbic acid. In RAW264.7 cells, CA extracts at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL showed no cytotoxicity, and nitric oxide (NO) production was reduced in a dose-dependent manner.At a concentration of 200 μg/mL, all the CA extracts exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity by modulating the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway, effectively resulting in the down-regulation of inflammation-related genes such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 in RAW264.7 cells, with the CAHW extract demonstrating the most potent inhibitory effect among all the CA extract groups. Conclusion Overall, CA extraction is effective for both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with the hot water extraction method proving to be the most effective.

Cryptococcosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. This mycosis is best known for meningeal involvement, yet, this disease rarely can be limited to the lungs. The usual portal of entry is respiratory tract. The recently rising incidence of the disease can be attributable to wide use of steroid, immunosuppressive agents and advent of AIDS. We experienced one case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in healthy person, who was admitted to the our hospital because of cough. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated in the sputum, and lung tissue obtained by CT guide needle aspiration biopsy. Clinical improvement was noted after 6weeks of medical therapy with fluconazole.
Biopsy, Needle ; Cough ; Cryptococcosis* ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; Fluconazole ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Incidence ; Lung ; Needles ; Respiratory System ; Sputum

Mucormycosis, caused by Zygomycetes fungi of the order Mucorales, is a rare opportunistic infection which usually develops in immunosuppressed patients, especially in patients with diabetic acidosis. This infection, associated with the presence of broad, nonseparate hyphae in tissue, originates usually in the perinasal sinuses and nose, orbit, central nervous system, lung, skin, soft tissue, or gastrointestinal tract, but is occasionally disseminated from the primary location to other areas. Recently we experienced a case of Mucormycosis found in the breast of a 70-year old woman undergoing hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy. The patients was very poor in her systemic condition. On physical examination, we found the subcutaneous mass in the left breast. Breast ultrasonography showed a mass with a relatively clear boundary in subcutaneous fatty layer and excisional biopsy confirmed infiltration of breast tissue by fungal hyphae. With improvement of patient's malnutrition via an aggressive hemodialysis, control of blood glucose and total parentral nutrition, the mass was slightly reduced in size and maintained without causing any notable symptom. Since Mucormycosis found in the breast tissue has not been reported in the literature yet, we report its case observed in a hemodialysis patient for diabetic nephropathy with the review of the literatures.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Blood Glucose ; Breast* ; Central Nervous System ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Diabetic Nephropathies* ; Female ; Fungi ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Lung ; Malnutrition ; Mucorales ; Mucormycosis* ; Nose ; Opportunistic Infections ; Orbit ; Physical Examination ; Renal Dialysis* ; Skin ; Ultrasonography, Mammary

BACKGROUNDDysferlinopathy is caused by mutations in the dysferlin (DYSF) gene. Here, we described the genetic features of a large cohort of Chinese patients with this disease.

METHODSEighty-nine index patients were included in the study. DYSF gene analysis was performed by Sanger sequencing in 41 patients and targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) in 48 patients. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was performed to detect exon duplication/deletion in patients with only one pathogenic mutation.

RESULTSAmong the 89 index patients, 79 patients were demonstrated to carry two disease-causing (73 cases) or possibly disease-causing mutations (6 cases), including 26 patients with homozygous mutations. We identified 105 different mutations, including 59 novel ones. Notably, in 13 patients in whom only one pathogenic mutation was initially found by Sanger sequencing or NGS, 3 were further identified to carry exon deletions by MLPA. The mutations identified in this study appeared to cluster in the N-terminal region. Mutation types included missense mutations (30.06%), nonsense mutations (17.18%), frameshift mutations (30.67%), in-frame deletions (2.45%), intronic mutations (17.79%), and exonic rearrangement (1.84%). No genotype-phenotype correlation was identified.

CONCLUSIONSDYSF mutations in Chinese patients clustered in the N-terminal region of the gene. Exonic rearrangements were found in 23% of patients with only one pathogenic mutation identified by Sanger sequencing or NGS. The novel mutations found in this study greatly expanded the mutational spectrum of dysferlinopathy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; China ; Codon, Nonsense ; genetics ; Dysferlin ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Frameshift Mutation ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genotype ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Proteins ; genetics ; Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle ; genetics ; Mutation ; genetics ; Mutation, Missense ; genetics ; Phenotype ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDX-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1 (CMT1X) disease is one of the most common forms of inherited neuropathy caused by mutations in the gap junction beta-1 protein (GJB1) gene (also known as connexin 32). This study presented the clinical and genetic features of a series of Chinese patients with GJB1 gene mutations.

METHODSA total of 22 patients from unrelated families, who were referred to Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital from January 2005 to January 2016, were identified with GJB1 mutations. Their clinical records and laboratory findings were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Mutations in the GJB1 gene were analyzed by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). Nucleotide alternations were confirmed with Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSThe CMT1X patients predominantly showed distal muscle weakness of lower limbs with mild sensory disturbance. The mean age of onset was 15.6 ± 8.7 years (ranging from 1 year to 42 years). The sudden onset of cerebral symptoms appeared in four patients (18.2%); two were initial symptoms. One case had constant central nervous system (CNS) signs. There were 19 different heterozygous mutations, including 15 known mutations and four novel mutations (c.115G>T, c.380T>A, c.263C>A, and c.818_819insGGGCT). Among the 22 Chinese patients with CMT1X, the frequency of the GJB1 mutation was 4.5% in transmembrane domain 1 (TM1), 4.5% in TM2, 22.7% in TM3, 9.1% in TM4, 4.5% in extracellular 1 (EC1), 27.3% in EC2, 9.1% in intracellular loop, 13.6% in the N-terminal domain, and 4.5% in the C-terminal domain. CMT1X with CNS impairment appeared in five (22.7%) of these patients.

CONCLUSIONSThis study indicated that CNS impairment was not rare in Chinese CMT1X patients. Mutations in the EC2 domain of the GJB1 gene were hotspot in Chinese CMT1X patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Central Nervous System ; metabolism ; Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease ; genetics ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Connexins ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult