BACKGROUND: High glucose upregulates MCP-1 expression in rat glomerular mesangial cells and in human peritoneal mesothelial cells. However, the role of high glucose-induced MCP-1 on the development and progression of diabetic renal injury and peritoneal injury during peritoneal dialysis(PD) using high glucose PD solutions are not clear. Since MCP-1 was shown to upregulate transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-beta1) and collagen expression in lung fibroblasts, the present study investigated the effects of MCP-1 on fibronectin secretion by mouse mesangial cells(MMC), human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC), and human peritoneal fibroblasts(HPFB). METHODS: Synchronized cells were stimulated by different concentrations of MCP-1(0.1-100 ng/mL) or TGF-beta1(0.1-10 ng/mL) for 48 hours. Fibronectin protein secreted into the media was analyzed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: MCP-1 up to 100 ng/mL did not affect fibronectin secretion by MMC. TGF-beta1 10 ng/mL, however, increased fibronectin secretion by MMC 2.8 fold that of control. MCP-1 up to 100 ng/mL did not affect fibronectin secretion by HPMC. But, TGF-beta1 0.1 ng/mL increased fibronectin secretion by HPMC 1.8 fold compared to control. On the other hand, MCP-1 increased fibronectin secretion by HPFB in a dose-dependent manner. MCP-1 at 1-10 ng/mL significantly increased fibronectin when compared to M199 control. 100 ng/mL MCP-1 further increased fibronectin secretion by HPFB compared to 0.1-10 ng/mL MCP-1. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a possible role for MCP-1 in the development and progression of peritoneal fibrosis and support the view that in addition to recruiting inflammatory cells MCP-1 may play a role in tissue fibrosis in other organs.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Chemokine CCL2* ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibronectins* ; Fibrosis ; Glucose ; Hand ; Humans* ; Lung ; Mesangial Cells ; Mice ; Monocytes* ; Peritoneal Fibrosis ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

No abstract available.
Animals ; Embryonic Structures* ; Mice*

BACKGROUND: 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD: dioxin) is a potent environmental toxicant that alters various cell function. Both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) mediate dioxin-induced cytotoxicity. Since dioxin was shown to increase renal cell fibronectin secretion in a dose-dependent manner and ROS and MAPK also play roles in fibronectin upregulation in renal cells, the present study examined whether ROS and/or MAPK activation play a role in dioxin-induced fibronectin upregulation in tubular epithelial cells. METHODS: Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were cultured with minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Growth arrested and synchronized MDCK cells by serum deprivation were stimulated with dioxin 1 nM in the presence or absence of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059 50 microM, p38 MAPK inhibitor 100 nM, trolox 500 microM, or taurine 500 microM for up to 48 hours. Dichlorofulorescein (DCF)-sensitive cellular ROS was measured by FACScan and fibronectin in the media and cellular MAPK by a Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Dioxin 1 nM significantly increased cellular ROS and fibronectin in MDCK cells. Antioxidants, trolox and taurine, effectively inhibited dioxin-induced cellular ROS and fibronectin secretion. Dioxin increased phosphorylation of ERK at 5 minutes and P38 MAPK at 48 hours. Dioxin did not affect c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation for up to 48 hours. Both PD98059 and p38 MAPK inhibitor suppressed dioxin-induced fibronectin secretion by MDCK cells. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that dioxin increases fibronectin secretion by renal distal tubular epithelial cells through ROS and MAPK (ERK and p38 MAPK) and this may lead to renal fibrosis.
Antioxidants ; Blotting, Western ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibronectins* ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Taurine ; Up-Regulation

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the workplace response system (WRS) against infectious disasters (IDs) based on the response attitudes and capacity of occupational health nurses (OHNs) who worked during the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea. METHODS: Fifty-one participants who had worked as OHNs at the time of the 2015 MERS outbreak were surveyed from November 20 to December 10, 2016. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and McNemaer's test. RESULTS: According to the survey results, the following were lacking in the WRS: a dedicated ID-response team, manuals, related education programs for OHNs, and health education programs for workers. Results also confirmed that workers were vulnerable to new infectious diseases because of the lack of health checkups and support for workers before and after business trips abroad. Among the respondents, 98.0% answered affirmatively that an ID was important for health management in the workplace, but 64.7% answered that it was difficult to manage an ID. The perceived capacity items to respond to IDs ranged from 3.0 points to 3.3 points. This scores weregenerally high. CONCLUSION: As the WRS is currently insufficient, it is necessary to develop an adequate WRS to IDs by addressing the identified problems.
Commerce ; Communicable Diseases ; Coronavirus Infections ; Disasters* ; Education ; Health Education ; Infection Control ; Korea* ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; Occupational Health ; Occupational Health Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The lateralization of cognitive functions in crossed aphasia in dextrals (CAD) has been explored and compared mainly with cases of aphasia with left hemisphere damage. However, comparing the neuropsychological aspects of CAD and aphasia after right brain damage in left-handers (ARL) could potentially provide more insights into the effect of a shift in the laterality of handedness or language on other cognitive organization. Thus, this case study compared two cases of CAD and one case of ARL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following neuropsychological measures were obtained from three aphasic patients with right brain damage (two cases of CAD and one case of ARL); language, oral and limb praxis, and nonverbal cognitive functions (visuospatial neglect and visuospatial construction). RESULTS: All three patients showed impaired visuoconstructional abilities, whereas each patient showed a different level of performances for oral and limb praxis, and visuospatial neglect. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of these three aphasic patients' performances, we highlighted the lateralization of language, handedness, oral and limb praxis, visuospatial neglect and visuospatial constructive ability in aphasic patients with right brain damage.
Aged ; Aphasia/*etiology/*physiopathology ; Brain Injuries/*complications ; Cognition/*physiology ; Female ; Functional Laterality/*physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Angiotensin II (Ang II), a key mediator of hypertensive, causes structural changes in the arteries (vascular remodeling), which involve alterations in cell growth, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hypertrophy. Ang II promotes fibrotic factor like IGFBP5, which mediates the profibrotic effects of Ang II in the heart and kidneys, lung and so on. The purpose of this study was to identify the signaling pathway of IGFBP5 on cell proliferation and migration of Ang II-stimulated VSMC. We have been interested in Ang II-induced IGFBP5 and were curious to determine whether a Pitavastatin would ameliorate the effects. Herein, we investigated the question of whether Ang II induced the levels of IGFBP5 protein followed by proliferation and migration in VSMC. Pretreatment with the specific Angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1) inhibitor (Losartan), Angiotensin receptor type 2 (AT2) inhibitor (PD123319), MAPK inhibitor (U0126), ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059), P38 inhibitor (SB600125) and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) resulted in significantly inhibited IGFBP5 production, proliferation, and migration in Ang II-stimulated VSMC. In addition, IGFBP5 knockdown resulted in modulation of Ang II induced proliferation and migration via IGFBP5 induction. In addition, Pitavastatin modulated Ang II induced proliferation and migration in VSMC. Taken together, our results indicated that Ang II induces IGFBP5 through AT1, ERK1/2, P38, and PI3K signaling pathways, which were inhibited by Pitavastatin. These findings may suggest that Pitavastatin has an effect on vascular disease including hypertension.
Angiotensin II ; Angiotensins ; Arteries ; Cell Proliferation ; Heart ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5* ; Kidney ; Lung ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Vascular Diseases

OBJECTIVES: There was an outbreak of foodborne and waterborne disease among high school students at Okcheon in June, 2018. First attack occurred June 5(th) but seven days later it was notified. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the pathogen of outbreak and cause of delayed notification. METHODS: First, we did a questionnaire survey for 61 cases and 122 controls to find what symptoms they had and whether they ate foods or drank water from June 2(nd) to June 12(th). Second, we investigated the environment of cafeteria and drinking water. Third, we examined specimen of cases and environment to identify bacteria or virus. RESULTS: Attack rate of this outbreak was 7.8%. Drinking water was strongly suspected as a source of infection in questionnaire survey but we could not find the exact time of exposure. Norovirus was identified in specimen of cases (2 students), drinking water (at main building and dormitory) and cafeteria (knife, dishtowel, hand of chef) CONCLUSIONS: We decided norovirus as the pathogen of this outbreak based on the clinical features of cases with diarrhea vomiting, abdominal pain and recovery within 2 or 3 days after onset, outbreak due to drinking water and microbiologic examination, And the cause of delayed notification might be the non-existence of the nurse teacher at that time and the lack of understanding of teachers on immediate notification under the outbreak. To prevent the delayed notification, notification system about outbreak of foodborne and waterborne disease in school is needed to be improved.
Abdominal Pain ; Bacteria ; Diarrhea ; Drinking Water ; Hand ; Humans ; Norovirus* ; Vomiting ; Water ; Waterborne Diseases*

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a predictive model for self-esteem of adolescents in multicultural families. The study was based on the theory of family stress model and literature review. Methods: This study used some of the data from the 1st year (2011) to the 6th year (2016) of the ‘Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (MAPS)'.Data analysis was conducted for 1,208 children and 1,208 mothers from the data of the 4th MAPS (2014), which was the first year of the middle school students. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-WIN Version 20.0 and AMOS Version 20.0. Results: The factors that have influence on the self-esteem of multicultural adolescents are mother’s parenting attitude and mother’s self-esteem. The explanatory power of these variables was 14%. Conclusion To increase the self-esteem of multicultural adolescents, a program that can positively change the self-esteem and parenting attitudes of multicultural mothers should be developed, and various social supports should be provided for multicultural mothers.

High glucose activates protein kinase C, induces reactive oxygen species generation, and upregulates expression of transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-beta1) and fibronectin by human peritoneal mesothelial cells(HPMC). High glucose also induces premature senescence in mesothelial cells. Mesothelial cells shrink after exposure to hypertonic medium and intracellular uptake of amino acids increase to ensure subsequent volume increase. Based on these observations, new and more biocompatible peritoneal dialysis solutions that are glucose free and/or iso-osmolar have been developed. We investigated the effects of different osmolality and different osmotic agents including glucose, mannitol, and icodextrin on viability and proliferation of HPMC. HPMC were obtained from the omental tissues of consenting patients undergoing Cesarean section or elective abdominal surgery. All experiments were performed using cells in the 2nd or 3rd passage. Near-confluent HPMC grown in culture dishes were incubated with serum-free medium for 48 hours to arrest and synchronize cell growth. Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release was measured for cell viability and [3H]-thymidine incorporation for proliferation of cultured HPMC, after exposing HPMC to different concentrations of glucose, mannitol, and icodextrin for up to 96 hours. High glucose and mannitol at concentrations up to 100 mM(375 mOsm) did not increase LDH release up to 96 hours compared to control M199. When HPMC were exposed to 2, 4, 7.5, and 9% of icodextrin for 24-96 hours, LDH release did not increase. Glucose at 30, 50, and 100 mM significantly inhibited [3H]-thymidine incorporation by HPMC at 24 and 48 hours. Mannitol at 30, 50, and 100 mM for 24 hours and at only 100 mM for 48 hours also significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Icodextrin 9% (305 mOsm) inhibited cell proliferation compared with control M-199 at 24 hours. In conclusion, high osmolality per se dose not appear to increase HPMC death. However, high osmolality appears to inhibit HPMC proliferation at early stage. In addition, high glucose appears to inhibit HPMC proliferation independent of osmolality since high glucose continues to inhibit cell proliferation at 48 and 72 hours when mannitol at the same concentration did not. Icodextrin 9% of which osmolality is 305 mOsm inhibits HPMC proliferation at early stage but does not appear to increase HPMC death.
Humans

OBJECTIVES: Elderly depression is often misdiagnosed as a dementing illness such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, depressive symptoms often are presented in the early phase of AD. It is difficult to distinguish the difference between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and depression. The purpose of this study is to explore neuropsychological characteristics of patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI) and depression. We hypothesized that there would be the difference in the cognitive function of those groups and this made clearer the nature of a depression and aMCI. METHODS: A community dwelling older people aged over 60 years were enrolled for the study. We compared 24 patients with aMCI, 23 with depression complaining subjective memory decline, and 26 normal elderly. Demographic and neuropsychological data were gathered and assessed by trained psychologist. RESULTS: Patients with aMCI and depression had significant differences separately from normal controls in particular cognitive function. Patients with aMCI showed more cognitive declines in learning than normal older people. Patients with depression had less performance in attention and executive function than normal controls. CONCLUSION: To understand the clinical difference and underlying pathophysiology of aMCI and depression, the precise criteria of aMCI gathering more homogeneous group of depression in severity and onset time will be needed.
Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; Depression ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Learning ; Memory ; Mild Cognitive Impairment