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BLT2 is a low-affinity receptor for leukotriene B4, a potent lipid mediator of inflammation generated from arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether BLT2 plays any role in sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection. A murine model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis was used to evaluate the role of BLT2 in septic inflammation. In the present study, we observed that the levels of ligands for BLT2 (LTB4 [leukotriene B4] and 12(S)-HETE [12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid]) were significantly increased in the peritoneal lavage fluid and serum from mice with CLP-induced sepsis. We also observed that the levels of BLT2 as well as 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and 12-LO, which are synthesizing enzymes for LTB4 and 12(S)-HETE, were significantly increased in lung and liver tissues in the CLP mouse model. Blockade of BLT2 markedly suppressed the production of sepsis-associated cytokines (IL-6 [interleukin-6], TNF-α[[tumor necrosis factor alpha], and IL-1β [interleukin-1β] as well as IL-17 [interleukin-17]) and alleviated lung inflammation in the CLP group. Taken together, our results suggest that BLT2 cascade contributes to lung inflammation in CLP-induced sepsis by mediating the production of inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that BLT2 may be a potential therapeutic target for sepsis patients.

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a lipid mediator of inflammation that is generated from arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Previous studies have reported that the receptors of LTB4, BLT1, and BLT2 play mediatory roles in the allergic airway inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA). However, considering that house dust mites (HDMs) are the most prevalent allergen and well-known risk factor for asthmatic allergies, we are interested in elucidating the contributory roles of BLT1/2 in HDMinduced allergic airway inflammation. Our aim in this study was to investigate whether BLT1/2 play any roles in HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. In this study, we observed that the levels of ligands for BLT1/2 [LTB4 and 12(S)-HETE (12(S)- hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid)] were significantly increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after HDM challenge. Blockade of BLT1 or BLT2 as well as of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) or 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO) markedly suppressed the production of TH2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and alleviated lung inflammation and mucus secretion in an HDM-induced eosinophilic airway-inflammation mouse model. Together, these results indicate that the 5-/12-LO-BLT1/2 cascade plays a role in HDMinduced airway inflammation by mediating the production of TH2 cytokines. Our findings suggest that BLT1/2 may be a potential therapeutic target for patients with HDM-induced allergic asthma. [BMB Reports 2021; 54(3): 182-187].

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of walking with talus-stabilizing taping on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, the timed up-and-go test, temporal parameters of gait, and fall risk in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods In this cross-sectional design study, 20 participants with chronic stroke (9 female, 11 male), aged 60.5 ± 8.1 years, were included. Three conditions were evaluated: barefoot, immediately after applying talus-stabilizing taping, and after 5 minutes of walking with talus-stabilizing taping. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine the differences in ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up-and-go test results, temporal parameters of gait, and fall risk across the 3 conditions. Results Ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, walking speed, and single-limb support phase were significantly improved after 5 minutes of walking with talus-stabilizing taping compared to those in the barefoot and immediately-after-taping conditions. The timed up-and-go test, double-limb support phase, and fall-risk results significantly decreased more after 5 minutes of walking with talus-stabilizing taping compared to barefoot and immediately after taping. Conclusion After the application of talus-stabilizing taping, ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up-and-go test results, temporal parameters of gait, and fall risk were reduced in individuals with chronic stroke.

Increased levels of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were associated with asthma severity. As leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a principal chemoattractant molecule for neutrophils, its receptors, BLT1 and BLT2, may contribute to neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation. In the present study, we established a mouse model of steroid-resistant, neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation by house dust mite (HDM)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sensitization and HDM challenge, and we investigated whether BLT1/BLT2 signaling was associated with the development of neutrophilic airway inflammation. Blockade of BLT1 or BLT2 significantly suppressed airway inflammation and IL-17 production in this mouse model. The 5-LO and 12-LO enzymes, which catalyze the synthesis of BLT1/BLT2 ligands, were also critically associated with neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation and the synthesis of IL-17. Collectively, our results suggest that the 5-/12-LO-BLT1/BLT2-linked cascade significantly contributes to neutrophil-dominant severe airway inflammation via IL-17 synthesis in HDM-induced neutrophilic asthma.

Talus stabilization taping (TST) can be utilized to stabilize posteriorly glide of the talus and allows active ankle dorsiflexion movement during walking. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of ankle kinesio taping with those of TST on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, static balance, the Timed Up and Go test, and the fall risk in patients with chronic stroke and limited ankle dorsiflexion. Participants were randomized into the kinesio taping (n=11) and TST groups (n=11). Both groups were applied the appropriate taping and were asked to walk on the treadmill for 10 min. The ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, static balance ability, Timed Up and Go test, and fall risk were assessed in all participants before and after the intervention. The TST group showed greater improvement than the ankle kinesio taping group in all outcomes measured (P

The stimulation of the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and IL-1β synthesis are associated with chronic respiratory diseases such as neutrophil-dominant severe asthma. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a principal chemoattractant molecule for neutrophil recruitment, and its receptors BLT1 and BLT2 have been suggested to contribute to neutrophil-dominant asthmatic airway inflammation. However, the relationship between BLT1/2 and NLRP3 in neutrophil-dominant asthmatic airway inflammation has not been previously studied. In the present study, we investigated whether BLT1/2 play any roles in stimulating the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1βsynthesis. The blockade of BLT1 or BLT2 clearly suppressed the stimulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β synthesis in house dust mite (HDM)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation. The enzymes 5-lipoxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase, which catalyze the synthesis of BLT1/2 ligands [LTB4, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE), and 12-hydroxyheptadecatreinoic acid (12-HHT)], were also critically associated with the stimulation of NLRP3 and IL-1β synthesis. Together, our results suggest that the 5-/12-LOX-BLT1/2-linked cascade are necessary for the simulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β synthesis, thus contributing to HDM/LPS-induced neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation.

The stimulation of the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and IL-1β synthesis are associated with chronic respiratory diseases such as neutrophil-dominant severe asthma. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a principal chemoattractant molecule for neutrophil recruitment, and its receptors BLT1 and BLT2 have been suggested to contribute to neutrophil-dominant asthmatic airway inflammation. However, the relationship between BLT1/2 and NLRP3 in neutrophil-dominant asthmatic airway inflammation has not been previously studied. In the present study, we investigated whether BLT1/2 play any roles in stimulating the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1βsynthesis. The blockade of BLT1 or BLT2 clearly suppressed the stimulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β synthesis in house dust mite (HDM)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation. The enzymes 5-lipoxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase, which catalyze the synthesis of BLT1/2 ligands [LTB4, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE), and 12-hydroxyheptadecatreinoic acid (12-HHT)], were also critically associated with the stimulation of NLRP3 and IL-1β synthesis. Together, our results suggest that the 5-/12-LOX-BLT1/2-linked cascade are necessary for the simulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β synthesis, thus contributing to HDM/LPS-induced neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation.

Kinesio taping (KT) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) are interventions mainly used in clinical settings to improve gait after stroke. Lower-leg KT using the concept of PNF (PNF-KT) has been shown to enhance the recovery of gait speed in patients with stroke. But, the effect of PNF-KT on the ankle movement and gait parameters in stroke patients is unclear. We aimed to investigate the immediate effects of PNF-KT on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM) and gait parameters in patients with stroke with foot drop.For the A-KT condition, tape was attached to the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, and tape for eversion was attached. In the PNF-KT condition, tape was attached to the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis and digitorum muscles. Ankle movement was measured as the ankle DF-ROM using an iSEN system. Gait ability was assessed using the GAITRite system. The measured gait variables were gait velocity, cadence, and step length (both sides).A-KT and PNF-KT significantly improved the ankle DF-ROM, gait velocity, cadence, and the affected- and unaffected-side step length compared to that with no taping. Moreover, PNF-KT significantly increased the ankle DF-ROM, gait velocity, cadence, and the affected- and unaffected-side step length compared to that with A-KT.PNF-KT applied to the affect side improved ankle DF-ROM and gait parameters in hemiplegic stroke patients than no taping, A-KT. Lower-leg PNF-KT may be a useful intervention in a rehabilitation program to improve ankle DF-ROM and gait parameters in chronic stroke patients with foot drop in clinical settings.

Patients with stroke generally have diminished balance and gait. Mobilization with movement (MWM) can be used with manual force applied by a therapist to enhance talus gliding movement. Furthermore, the weight-bearing position during the lunge may enhance the stretch force.This study aimed to compare the effects of a 4-week program of MWM training with those of static muscle stretching (SMS). Ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF-PROM), static balance ability (SBA), the Berg balance scale (BBS), and gait parameters (gait speed and cadence) were measured in patients with chronic stroke.Twenty patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. Participants were randomized to either the MWM (n = 10) or the SMS (n = 10) group. Patients in both groups underwent standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 min per session. In addition, MWM and SMS techniques were performed three times per week for 4 weeks. Ankle DF-PROM, SBA, BBS score, and gait parameters were measured after 4 weeks of training.After 4 weeks of training, the MWM group showed significant improvement in all outcome measures compared with baseline (p 0.05). Furthermore, SBA, BBS, and cadence showed greater improvement in the MWM group compared to the SMS group (p 0.05).This study demonstrated that MWM training, combined with standard rehabilitation, improved ankle DF-PROM, SBA, BBS scores, and gait speed and cadence. Thus, MWM may be an effective treatment for patients with chronic stroke.

Although lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in lung cancer cases, the mechanism by which KRAS mutation drives lung cancer has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that the expression levels of leukotriene B4 receptor-2 (BLT2) and its ligand-producing enzymes (5-LOX, 12-LOX) were highly increased by mutant KRAS and that BLT2 or 5-/12-LOX blockade attenuated KRAS-driven lung cell proliferation and production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a principal proinflammatory mediator of lung cancer development. Next, we explored the roles of BLT2 and 5-/12-LOX in transgenic mice with lung-specific expression of mutant KRAS (KrasG12D) and observed that BLT2 or 5-/12-LOX inhibition decreased IL-6 production and tumor formation. To further determine whether BLT2 is involved in KRAS-driven lung tumor formation, we established a KrasG12D/BLT2-KO double-mutant mouse model. In the double-mutant mice, we observed significantly suppressed IL-6 production and lung tumor formation. Additionally, we observed high BLT2 expression in tissue samples from patients with KrasG12D-expressing lung adenocarcinoma, supporting the contributory role of BLT2 in KRAS-driven human lung cancer. Collectively, our results suggest that BLT2 is a potential contributor to KRAS-driven lung cancer and identify an attractive therapeutic target for KRAS-driven lung cancer., Lung cancer: A strategy for sidestepping a menacing mutation A protein that fuels inflammation could offer a therapeutic target to allow clinicians to bypass a highly tumorigenic but hard-to-treat mutant protein found in many lung cancers. Researchers have long struggled to develop medicines that inhibit KRAS, a signaling protein that commonly acquires mutations that turn it into a potent driver of cancerous growth. As an alternative, researchers led by Jae-Hong Kim of Korea University, Seoul, set out to identify proteins that govern the tumorigenic inflammatory response initiated by KRAS. They showed that a protein called BLT2 is highly expressed in KRAS-mutant lung cancer cells, and appears to contribute strongly to KRAS-mediated inflammation and tumor growth in mouse models. BLT2 could thus offer a useful downstream target for blocking the impact of mutant KRAS without grappling with the challenges of directly inhibiting KRAS.

Increased levels of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were associated with asthma severity. As leukotriene B4 (LTB

Background: In self-ankle mobilization with movement (S-MWM) therapy, a strap can be utilized to stabilize the posterior glide of the talus during ankle dorsiflexion movements.Objectives: Our objec...

Background Automobile assembly workers repeatedly place burdens on their lumbar regions, which can lead to mechanical chronic low back pain. Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises performed on a stable or unstable surface on lumbar pain, muscle strength, stability, disability, and depression in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods Twenty-four patients were randomly allocated to a stable or unstable surface group (n = 12 each). Both groups performed each lumbar stabilization exercise for 30 minutes daily five times per week for 6 weeks. Lumbar pain, muscle strength, stability, disability, and depression were assessed before and after intervention. Results After 6 weeks of training, lumbar pain, stability, disability, and depression improved significantly, whereas muscle strength did not. All post-test values in the unstable surface group improved significantly more than those in the stable surface group. Conclusions Our findings indicate the more favorable effects of an unstable exercise surface in patients with chronic low back pain. However, further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

The leukotriene B4 is one of the chemo-attractant molecule for neutrophils, its receptors, BLT1/2 may contribute to neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation. Therefore, we investigated whether BLT1/2 signaling was associated with neutrophil-dominant severe asthma. The role of BLT1/2 as well as 5-/12-lipoxygenase in neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation was investigated using pharmacological inhibitors in murine model. Blockade of BLT1/2 significantly suppressed airway inflammation including thickness of airway wall, recruitment of immune cells and IL-17 production in neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation. 5-/12-LOX, upstream of LTB4 receptors was also critical for neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation and synthesis of IL-17. Furthermore, inhibition of 5-/12-LOX, BLT1/2, suppressed NF-κB activation, thus attenuating airway inflammation and production of IL-17, suggesting that NF-κB lies downstream of BLT1/2 in neutrophilic airway inflammation. Our results suggest that ‘5-/12-LOX-BLT1/2-NF-κB’ cascade significantly contributes to neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation through IL-17 synthesis. What is interesting is IL-1β also acts important role in the neutrophil-dominant asthmatic condition with IL-17 production. The high-expression level of IL-1β which is mainly produced by NLRP3 inflammasome activation already reported clinically in the sputum of neutrophilic asthma patients. Consequentially, our studies suggest that the cooperative mechanism of IL-1β and IL-17 considerably acts to neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation and the leukotriene B4 receptors have possibilities to control the severity via regulation effect of IL-1β and IL-17.

Goal To compare the effects of a 4-week self-ankle mobilization with movement training program with those of self-ankle mobilization with movement with a 10° inclined board in patients with chronic stroke. Materials and Methods A randomized controlled assessor-blind trial was conducted. The patients were randomized into 2 arms. Subjects were 28 chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia. Both arms attended standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. In addition, self-ankle mobilization with movement and self-ankle mobilization with movement with a 10° inclined board trainings were performed 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, static balance ability, Berg balance scale, gait parameters (walking speed, cadence, and step length), and activities of daily living were used to assess changes in motor function after training. Findings After 4 weeks of training, all dependent variables were significantly improved in both arms as compared with their baseline values. Furthermore, relative to the self-ankle mobilization with movement arm, the self-ankle mobilization with movement with a 10° inclined board arm demonstrated significantly improved ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, static balance ability, gait speed, cadence, and affected-side step length. Conclusions Our results support the hypothesis that self-ankle mobilization with movement with a 10° inclined board combined with standard rehabilitation was superior to self-ankle mobilization with movement combined with standard rehabilitation with respect to the improvement in motor function in the patients with chronic stroke.

Talus-stabilizing taping (TST) may improve ankle range of motion and gait performance by providing a posterior-inferior talar glide in a closed-chain dorsiflexion position.This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of TST on balance and gait parameters in patients with chronic stroke.Twenty post-stroke patients participated in this study. Each participant performed tests under three conditions (TST, barefoot, and conventional ankle-foot orthosis [AFO]), in random order. Before testing, the patients walked for 10 min under the three conditions, followed by a 5 min rest period. The outcome measures were static balance ability (SBA), timed up-and-go (TUG) test results, and gait parameters evaluated using a 6-m-long gait mat. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine the difference in balance and gait parameters under the three conditions.SBA more significantly improved in the TST condition than in the barefoot condition. SBA more significantly improved in the conventional AFO condition than in the barefoot condition. The TUG test results more significantly improved in the TST condition than in the conventional AFO and barefoot conditions. Walking speed, cadence, and affected side and unaffected side step and stride lengths more significantly improved in the TST condition than in the conventional AFO and barefoot conditions.This study used a cross-sectional method and demonstrated that TST improves SBA, TUG, gait speed, cadence, step length, and stride length in patients with chronic stroke.

With the introduction of various advanced deep learning algorithms, initiatives for image classification systems have transitioned over from traditional machine learning algorithms (e.g., SVM) to Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) using deep learning software tools. A prerequisite in applying CNN to real world applications is a system that collects meaningful and useful data. For such purposes, Wireless Image Sensor Networks (WISNs), that are capable of monitoring natural environment phenomena using tiny and low-power cameras on resource-limited embedded devices, can be considered as an effective means of data collection. However, with limited battery resources, sending high-resolution raw images to the backend server is a burdensome task that has direct impact on network lifetime. To address this problem, we propose an energy-efficient pre- and post- processing mechanism using image resizing and color quantization that can significantly reduce the amount of data transferred while maintaining the classification accuracy in the CNN at the backend server. We show that, if well designed, an image in its highly compressed form can be well-classified with a CNN model trained in advance using adequately compressed data. Our evaluation using a real image dataset shows that an embedded device can reduce the amount of transmitted data by ∼71% while maintaining a classification accuracy of ∼98%. Under the same conditions, this process naturally reduces energy consumption by ∼71% compared to a WISN that sends the original uncompressed images.

To examine the relationship between overweight combined with low muscle mass and the cardiac autonomic nervous system using heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy workers.A total of 1,150 workers were included, with a mean age of 43.55 ± 11.45 years. The subjects were classified as low muscle mass if their appendicular skeletal muscle mass was below the 50th percentile of the study sample. Similarly, subjects were classified as overweight if their body mass index was above 25 kg/m(2). Electrocardiography recordings were obtained for 5 min, and the time-domain and frequency-domain indices of HRV were analyzed.Compared with the high muscle mass and non-overweight (HMM) group, the low-frequency power and the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals were significantly decreased in both the overweight and high muscle mass (OHMM) group and the overweight and low muscle mass (OLMM) group. The significantly decreased high-frequency (HF) power and square root of the mean squared differences of successive differences, which reflects efferent parasympathetic activity, was indicative of reduced parasympathetic modulation in the OHMM and OLMM groups. In addition, the OLMM group had a lower HF power than did the OHMM group.This study suggests that HRV is reduced in overweight combined with low muscle mass group than overweight and HMM group.

Benchmark calculations of the Canada deuterium uranium reactor design and analysis codes were performed for the Monte Carlo and conventional methods using Phase-B measurement data of the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant 2. In this study, the benchmark calculations were done for the criticality, boron worth, reactivity device worth, and flux scan. For the benchmark calculation of the Monte Carlo method by MCNP-4B, the criticality was estimated within 4 mk. The reactivity worth of the control devices was consistent with the measurement data within 15%. For the benchmark calculation of the conventional method composed of WIMS-AECL, SHETAN, and RFSP, the criticality was also predicted within 4 mk. The reactivity device worth was generally consistent with the measured data except for the strong absorbers such as shutoff rods and mechanical control absorbers. The results of the flux distribution calculations were also satisfactory for both code systems.