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A carotid-cavernous sinus fistula is a rare condition in which an abnormal communication exists between the internal or external carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. It typically occurs within a few weeks after craniomaxillofacial trauma. In most cases, the carotid-cavernous sinus fistula occurs on the same side as the craniomaxillofacial fracture. We report a case of delayed carotidcavernous sinus fistula that developed symptoms 7 months after the craniomaxillofacial fracture. The fistula developed on the side opposite to that of the craniomaxillofacial fracture. Based on our experience with this case, we recommend a long follow-up period of 7-8 months after the occurrence of a craniomaxillofacial fracture. We also recommend that the follow-up should include consideration of the side contralateral to the injury.

Schwannoma is a benign tumor rarely found in the head and neck and much less commonly found in the intraparotid facial nerve. It is a slow-growing encapsulated tumor originating from the Schwann cells or axonal nerve sheath. It can occur anywhere along the course of the facial nerve. Patients may present with symptoms of facial palsy, but the most common presenting symptom is an asymptomatic swelling. Diagnosis is usually difficult before surgical removal and histopathological examination. We report a rare case of intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma in a 57-year-old female who had sustained a mass of the right preauricular area for 3 years. She reported no pain or facial muscle weakness. Enhanced computed tomography findings revealed the impression of pleomorphic adenoma. However, intraoperative gross findings were not characteristic of pleomorphic adenoma, and a frozen biopsy was performed resulting in the impression of a nerve sheath tumor. We performed an extracapsular surgical excision without parotidectomy. Permanent histopathology and immunohistochemistry reports diagnosed the mass as schwannoma. There were no complications including facial palsy after surgery. No recurrence was found at 6 months after surgery.

Primary malignant lymphoma rarely presents as a mass in the salivary gland. It accounts for about 1% of salivary gland tumors. The lymphomas of the parotid gland are mainly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of B-cell follicular type. It usually occurs in male adults and is very rare in children. In contrast to the intractable disease course of adult parotid follicular lymphoma, when occurred in children or adolescent, its prognosis is very good when it is first treated with surgical excision. Thus, a solitary follicular lymphoma in an extranodal site that has occurred in children is termed separately as pediatric follicular lymphoma (PFL). We share our treatment experience of a 16-year-old PFL patient through surgical removal combined with superficial parotidectomy. In line with the few previous case reports of PFL, we suggest that active surgical removal should be undertaken for solitary, extranodal follicular lymphoma of the pediatric and adolescent population.

Lymphatic malformations are benign vascular malformations rarely seen in adults. There have been only around 100 cases reported in the literature, most of them located in the head and neck area. The etiology is poorly understood but trauma, infection, or tumors have been suggested as possible causes. We present an unusual case of lymphatic malformations in the lower extremity of a 56-year-old male patient after minor trauma. The masses were asymptomatic but progressively enlarged for a period of 2 months, developing into a mass with a 21-cm-long axis in computed tomography images. Total surgical resection was performed and there were no complications or recurrence during the 1-year follow-up period. We present this rare case with a review of relevant previous literatures.

Effects of pulsed electric filed (PEF) processing combined with heating (H-PEF processing) on the inactivation of microorganisms and the physicochemical properties of mixed mandarin and Hallabong tangor (MH) juice were studied. Using a pilot-scale PEF system, MH juice, pre-heated at 55 °C, was PEF-treated at 19 kV/cm of electric field and 170 kJ/L of specific energy and the juice, pre-heated at 70 °C, was PEF-treated at 16 kV/cm and 100 kJ/L or 12 kV/cm and 150 kJ/L. H-PEF processing at 70 °C–16 kV/cm–100 kJ/L reduced the aerobe, yeast/mold, and coliform counts of MH juice by 3.9, 4.3, and 0.8 log CFU/mL, respectively, without affecting the ascorbic acid concentration and antioxidant capacity of juice. H-PEF processing changed juice color and browning degree (p

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor arising from the intraepidermal ductal portion of the eccrine sweat gland. It develops either spontaneously or from a long standing benign eccrine poroma. This entity usually affects older people and is commonly located on the lower extremities, the trunk, and the head. We report a case of eccrine porocarcinoma on the left cheek in an 85-year-old male. In our case, the tumor was treated with wide excision and postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy. The patient recovered well without local recurrence and distant metastasis during the 14-month follow-up period. Wide excision and postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy can be considered as a safe and effective treatment option in treating patients with eccrine porocarcinoma.

The rotavirus-induced diarrhea of human and animal neonates is a major public health concern worldwide. Until recently, no effective therapy is available to specifically inactivate the rotavirion particles within the gut. Passive immunotherapy by oral administration of chicken egg yolk antibody (IgY) has emerged of late as a fresh alternative strategy to control infectious diseases of the alimentary tract and has been applied in the treatment of diarrhea due to rotavirus infection. The purpose of this concise review is to evaluate evidence on the properties and performance of anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin Y (IgY) for prevention and treatment of rotavirus diarrhea in human and animal neonates. A survey of relevant anti-rotavirus IgY basic studies and clinical trials among neonatal animals (since 1994-2015) and humans (since 1982-2015) have been reviewed and briefly summarized. Our analysis of a number of rotavirus investigations involving animal and human clinical trials revealed that anti-rotavirus IgY significantly reduced the severity of clinical manifestation of diarrhea among IgY-treated subjects relative to a corresponding control or placebo group. The accumulated information as a whole depicts oral IgY to be a safe and efficacious option for treatment of rotavirus diarrhea in neonates. There is however a clear need for more randomized, placebo controlled and double-blind trials with bigger sample size to further solidify and confirm claims of efficacy and safety in controlling diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection especially among human infants with health issues such as low birth weights or compromised immunity in whom it is most needed.

Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat a wide range of neurological disorders (e.g., paralysis and stroke) and skin problems (e.g., atopic dermatitis and eczema) in oriental medicine. This study was designed to investigate the antioxidant ability of GEB and its antiaging effect on human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of GEB were 21.8 and 0.43 mg/g dry weight (DW), respectively. The ergothioneine content of GEB was 0.41 mg/mL DW. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of GEB at 5 and 10 mg/mL approximately ranged between 31% and 44%. The superoxide dismutase activity of GEB at 10 and 25 mg/mL was 57% and 76%, respectively. GEB increased procollagen type 1 (PC1) production and inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production and elastase-1 activity in UVA-irradiated HDF. PC1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels decreased upon UVA irradiation, but recovered in response to high doses of GEB in HDF. On the contrary, GEB significantly decreased MMP-1 and elastase-1 mRNA levels, which were markedly induced in UVA-irradiated HDF. Collectively, these results suggest that GEB has sufficient antioxidant ability to prevent the signs of skin aging in UVA-irradiated human skin cells, suggesting its potential as a natural antiaging product.

Plexiform neurofibromas are common complications in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients. Currently, surgery is the treatment of choice. However, complete surgical resection is difficult due to the infiltration to the surrounding tissue and the increased vascularity. Plexiform neurofibromas arising in the orbito-temporal area pose a greater challenge due to its critical function and cosmetic importance of the face. Such plexiform neurofibromas, separately designated as orbito-temporal plexiform neurofibromas, show complex symptoms such as severe ptosis, ectropion, lacrimal gland dysfunction, and even vision loss. We present a case of successful correction of upper eyelid entropion and severe eyebrow ptosis in a 48-year-old orbito-temporal plexiform neurofibromas patient with combined forehead lift and blepharoplasty techniques including double fold formation and mass excision.

Head and neck cancer often requires multiple defect reconstruction that are too far apart to handle with 1 flap. However, 1 flap with skin graft, or multiple flap reconstruction is always not possible due to recipient site factors and lack of sufficient donor site. In this report, we share our experience on reconstruction of multiple, and distant head and neck defects with 1 large radial forearm flap that was vertically inset to cover multiple defect on face, and then tunneled to reach down to the neck. Due to the longer dimension, this flap could be utilized not only to reconstruct the face and neck area, but also simultaneously reconstruct face and orbit, or face and scalp area. We think that this modification of the radial forearm flap could provide a useful surgical option for multiple and distant head and neck reconstructions.

Activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation plays a key pathogenic role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and ischemia. Sulforaphane is an active compound produced after conversion of glucoraphanin by the myrosinase enzyme in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var) sprouts. Dietary broccoli extract as well as sulforaphane has previously known to mitigate inflammatory conditions in aged models involving microglial activation. Here, we produced sulforaphane-enriched broccoli sprouts through the pretreatment of pulsed electric fields in order to trigger the biological role of normal broccoli against lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia. The sulforaphane-enriched broccoli sprouts showed excellent potency against neuroinflammation conditions, as evidenced by its protective effects in both 6 and 24 h of microglial activation in vitro. We further postulated the underlying mechanism of action of sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts, which was the inhibition of an inflammatory cascade via the downregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Simultaneously, sulforaphane-enriched broccoli sprouts inhibited the LPS-induced activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the secretions of inflammatory proteins (iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, PGE2, etc.), which are responsible for the inflammatory cascades in both acute and chronic inflammation. It also upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in normal and activated microglia followed by the lowered neuronal apoptosis induced by activated microglia. Based on these results, it may exhibit anti-inflammatory effects via the NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways. Interestingly, sulforaphane-enriched broccoli sprouts improved the scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice through Nrf2 activation, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis particularly through inhibition of caspase-3 activation which could lead to the neuroprotection against neurodegenerative disorders. The present study suggests that sulforaphane-enriched broccoli sprouts might be a potential nutraceutical with antineuroinflammatory and neuroprotective activities.

We investigated the effects of a pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment on microbial inactivation and the physical properties of low-fat milk. Milk inoculated with Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or Lactobacillus brevis was supplied to a pilot-scale PEF treatment system at a flow rate of 30 L/h. Pulses with an electric field strength of 10 kV/cm and a pulse width of 30 μs were applied to the milk with total pulse energies of 50-250 kJ/L achieved by varying the pulse frequency. The inactivation curves of the test microorganisms were biphasic with an initial lag phase (or shoulder) followed by a phase of rapid inactivation. PEF treatments with a total pulse energy of 200 kJ/L resulted in a 4.5-log reduction in E. coli, a 4.4-log reduction in L. brevis, and a 6.0-log reduction in S. cerevisiae. Total pulse energies of 200 and 250 kJ/L resulted in greater than 5-log reductions in microbial counts in stored PEF-treated milk, and the growth of surviving microorganisms was slow during storage for 15 d at 4℃. PEF treatment did not change milk physical properties such as pH, color, or particle-size distribution (p

1. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of fimasartan in rats. 2. Unlabeled fimasartan or radiolabeled [(14)C]fimasartan was dosed by intravenous injection or oral administration to rats. Concentrations of unlabeled fimasartan in the biological samples were determined by a validated LC/MS/MS assay. Total radioactivity was quantified by liquid scintillation counting and the radioactivity associated with the metabolites was analyzed by using the radiochemical detector. Metabolite identification was conducted by product ion scanning using LC/MS/MS. 3. After oral administration of [(14)C]fimasartan, total radioactivity was found primarily in feces. In bile duct cannulated rats, 58.8 ± 14.4% of the radioactive dose was excreted via bile after oral dosing. Major metabolites of fimasartan including the active metabolite, desulfo-fimasartan, were identified, yet none represented more than 7.2% of the exposure of the parent drug. Fimasartan was rapidly and extensively absorbed and had an oral bioavailability of 32.7-49.6% in rats. Fimasartan plasma concentrations showed a multi-exponential decline after oral administration. Double peaks and extended terminal half-life were observed, which was likely caused by enterohepatic recirculation. 4. These results provide better understanding on the pharmacokinetics of fimasartan and may aid further development of fimasartan analogs.

Infant formula supplemented with hyperimmune immunoglobulin Y (IgY) against human rotavirus (HRV) was evaluated in vitro against HRV reassortant clinical strains ATCC VR 2273 and ATCC VR 2274. Specific antihuman rotavirus antibody powder (Rotamix IgY) was prepared. The effectiveness of Rotamix IgY alone and as a pre-mixed solution with infant formula was evaluated for neutralizing rotavirus infectivity in MA104 cells. The test infant formula cross-reacted strongly against different human rotavirus strains with titers of 80-320 using a 50% fluorescent focus (FF) inhibition test. Both rotamix IgY alone and in a pre-mixed solution with infant formula showed multi-serotypic cross neutralization activities against the major rotavirus global serotypes G1, G2, G3, and G4 alone and with other human and animal-strains in vitro. Cell-rotavirus adhesion and cell damage arising from rotavirus infection were significantly inhibited in a dose dependent manner, compared to control IgY supplemented infant formula.

The substances of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated feom Kimchi and Tarak, L. mesenteriodes LAB kw5, and S. thermophilus LAB KW15 were investigated for growth effect of Helicobacter pylori with IgY and Auricularia auricula. Inhibition of H. pylori was confirmed at LAB KW5 and KW15 supernatants. Interestingly, anti-H. pylori substance in LAB KW5 and KW15 supernatants were sensitive to lipase, but insensitive to protein hydrolase and carbohydrate hydrolase. The inhibition zone toward H. pylori was not shown with the lipase-treated supernatants. Therefore, there seemed to be lipid-like substances in the cultures. By the analyses with gas chromatography, undecanoic acid (C 11:0 ), palmitic acid (C 16:0 ), stearic acid (C 18:0 ), and oleic acid (C 18:1 ) were detected at the culture substances from L. mesenteroides LAB KW5 and S. thermophilus LAB KW15, and more eicosadienoic acid (C 20:2 ) from L. mesenteroides LAB KW5. Anti-H. pylori substances of LAB with IgY and A. auricula extract were analyzed for inhibition effect of H. pylori. The inhibition increased more by the range from 57% to 86% by the mixture. The substances with IgY and A. auricula extract showed more effective inhibition of H. pylori than single or double trials. Key words: Helicobacter pylori, lactic acid bacteria, IgY, Auricularia auricula

Department of Hotel Baking Technology, Hyejeon UniversityAbstract With the goal of transforming rice protein from an insoluble to a soluble form to increase the industrialutilization of rice wine meal (RWM), RWM was derivatized using commercial proteases and the RWM hydrolysates werecharacterized. Eight commercial proteases were used individually or in combination for hydrolysis of RWM. The degreeof hydrolysis was assessed by determining the soluble protein in supernatant using the Lowry assay, protein in precipitatesusing a semimicro Kjeldahl procedure, and gravimetrically by the weight difference before and after hydrolysis. Protamex,Alcalase and Protease N proteases were most effective for hydrolysis of RWM. Although these assessment methodologiesdisplayed some variation, they generally showed a similar pattern. When the aforementioned three proteases weresimultaneously used to treat RWM, no significant difference was observed between the three assays (

Rice syrup meal (RSM) was enzymatically hydrolyzed using eight commercial proteases (Protamex, Neutrase, Flavourzyme, Alcalase, Protease M, Protease N, Protease A, Molsin F) for 4 hr at optimum pH and temperature. Proteolytic hydrolysates were examined in supernatant and precipitate using Lowry protein assay, semimicro Kjeldahl method and gravimetric method using weight difference before and after enzymatic hydrolysis. Although RSM contains a high amount of protein (71.2%), only a very small amount of protein was hydrolyzed. Two proteases (Protease M and Protease N) were found to be the most effective in the hydrolysis of RSM protein. In Lowry method, 57.5 and 59.0 ㎎ protein/g RSM were hydrolyzed after Protease M and Protease N treatments, respectively. In gravimetric method, 80.0 and 85.4 ㎎ protein/g RSM were hydrolyzed after Protease M and Protease N treatments. In Kjeldahl method, 67.43 and 70.43 ㎎ protein/g RSM were hydrolyzed after Protamex and Protease N treatments, respectively. For synergistic effect, two or three effective commercial proteases (Protease M, Protease N and Protease A) were applied to RSM at one time. The highest hydrolysis of RSM protein was observed in both Lowry protein assay (80.3 ㎎ protein/g RSM) and gravimetric methods (153.2 ㎎ protein/g RSM) when three commercial proteases were applied at one time, suggesting the synergistic effect of those proteases.

Mume Fructus (Family Rosaceae) is used as a traditional drug and health food in Asian countries. However, its therapeutic mechanisms and effects on macrophage-mediated inflammation remain unknown. In this study we examined the effect of Mume Fructus water extract (MFWE) on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The investigation focused on whether MFWE inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 productions, as well as the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-6, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. We found that MFWE inhibited LPS-induced NO, PGE(2), and IL-6 productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, MFWE suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylations of p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase MAPK, as well as IkappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation. These results suggest that MFWE has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced PGE2, NO, and IL-6 production, as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in the murine macrophage. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the phosphorylation of MAPKs following IkappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation.

Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae) has been used to treat headache of common cold, supraorbital neuralgia, painful swelling on the body, nasal stuffiness, leukorrhea and arthralgia due to wind-dampness in Korean traditional medicine. It is also claimed to be effective in the treatment of acne, erythema, headache, toothache, sinusitis, colds and flu. The present study focused whether the ethyl acetate extract from Angelica Dahuricae Radix (EAAD) inhibits production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, as well as expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. EAAD inhibited LPS-induced NO, PGE(2) and TNF-alpha production as well as expression of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW 264.7 cells. EAAD inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in THP-1 cells. Furthermore, EAAD suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), I-kappaBalpha degradation, and NF-kappaB activation in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that EAAD has the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced TNF-alpha, NO and PGE(2) production, and expression of iNOS and COX-2 in macrophage through blockade in the phosphorylation of MAPKs, following I-kappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects and sedative activities of the ethyl acetate fraction of Cynanchum paniculatum (EACP) were evaluated in mice and rats by acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, arachidonic acid-induced paw edema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation, formalin-induced licking time, acetic acid-induced writhing response, and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. EACP at a dose of 40 mg/kg significantly exhibited anti-inflammatory activities on acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, arachidonic acid-induced paw edema, and the late phase of formalin-induced licking time. Moreover, it showed anti-nociceptive effects on acetic acid-induced writhing responses and significant sedative effects on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. The results demonstrated that the anti-nociceptive effects are apparently related to the sedative effects of EACP. These results support the use of Cynanchum paniculatum in relieving inflammatory pain.

The present study investigated the effects of intracisternal administration of MCP-1, Rantes or IL-8 on pain transmission in the orofacial area. We also investigated mechanisms of hyperalgesic responses produced by intracisternal administration of IL-8. An orofacial formalin test was employed to assess the effects of chemokines on nociceptive processing. For each animal, the number of behavioral responses and the time spent grooming, rubbing and/or scratching the facial region proximal to the formalin injection site was recorded for nine successive 5-min intervals. Intracisternal administration of MCP-1, Rantes or IL-8 significantly increased formalin-induced scratching behavioral responses in the orofacial area. Intracisternal pretreatment with indomethacin, a non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, did not block IL-8-induced hyperalgesia. Pretreatment with 100 microg propranolol, a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist and 50 microg atenolol, a selective beta(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonist, inhibited the number of scratches and the duration of scratching produced by 1 ng of IL-8 injected intracisternally. These results indicate that intracisternal administration of chemokines produce a hyperalgesic response with an orofacial inflammatory pain model and that the IL-8-induced hyperalgesia is mediated by central beta(1)-adrenergic receptor.

A polysaccharide fraction, HBE-III, was successfully purified in a high yield (40.4%) from its crude polysaccharide (HBE-0) which was prepared from pectinase hydrolysates of the peels of the Korean Citrus Hallabong. In experimental lung metastasis studies of Colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma cells, prophylactic administration of HBE-III significantly inhibited lung metastasis in a dose-dependent manner. In an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, HBE-III (up to 1000 μg/mL) did not affect the growth of Colon 26-M3.1 cells and normal cells. HBE-III enhanced production of IL-6 and IL-12 by murine peritoneal macrophages. In an assay for natural killer (NK) cell activity, HBE-III (1000 μg/mouse, i.v.) significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity against Yac-1 tumor cells. The depletion of NK cells by injection of mouse anti-asialo GM1 serum abolished the inhibitory effect of HBE-III on lung metastasis of Colon 26-M3.1 cells. These data suggest that HBE-III may inhibit tumor metastasis via activation of macrophages and NK cells.

Biodegradable hydrogels prepared by γ-irradiation from microbial poly(amino acid)s are reviewed. pH-sensitive hydrogels were prepared by means of γ-irradiation of poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA) produced byBacillus subtilis IFO3335 and poly(e-lysine) (PL) produced byStreptomyces albulus in aqueous solutions. The preparation conditions, swelling equilibria, hydrolytic degradation, and enzymatic degradation of these hydrogels were studied. A hydrogel with a wide variety of swelling behaviors has been produced by γ-irradiation from a mixture solution of PGA and PL.

Background/objectives Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat a wide range of neurological disorders (e.g., paralysis and stroke) and skin problems (e.g., atopic dermatitis and eczema) in oriental medicine. This study was designed to investigate whether GEB extract inhibits melanogenesis activity in murine B16F10 melanoma. Materials/method Murine B16F10 cells were treated with 0-5 mg/mL of GEB extract or 400 µg/mL arbutin (a positive control) for 72 h after treatment with/without 200 nM alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) for 24 h. Melanin concentration, tyrosinase activity, mRNA levels, and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (Trp)1, and Trp2 were analyzed in α-MSH-untreated and α-MSH-treated B16F10 cells. Results Treatment with 200 nM α-MSH induced almost 2-fold melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity along with increased mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1 and Trp2. Irrespective of α-MSH stimulation, GEB extract at doses of 0.5-5 mg/mL inhibited all these markers for skin whitening in a dose-dependent manner. While lower doses (0.5-1 mg/mL) of GEB extract generally had a tendency to decrease melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity, and mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2, higher doses (2-5 mg/mL) significantly inhibited all these markers in α-MSH-treated B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects of the GEB extract at higher concentrations were similar to those of 400 µg/mL arbutin, a well-known depigmenting agent. Conclusions These results suggest that GEB displays dose-dependent inhibition of melanin synthesis through the suppression of tyrosinase activity as well as molecular levels of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2 in murine B16F10 melanoma. Therefore, GEB may be an effective and natural skin-whitening agent for application in the cosmetic industry.

Poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA) and poly(e-lysine) (PL) solutions were used as components to prepare mixed hydrogels by γ irradiation. A PGA and PL mixed solution was crosslinked to form a hydrogel with specific water content (weight of absorbed water/weight of dry get) of 10-100 when the 5 wt % solution of mixed polymer was exposed to γ radiation of 87 kGy dosage under N 2 atmosphere. The specific water content increased with increasing PGA content of the PGA/PL mixed get. The influence of pH and salt concentration on equilibrium swelling was studied. A characteristic pH-sensitive swelling behavior was obtained using compositional changes of PGA and PL in the get. PGA/PL 50/50 wt % mixed get swelled in acid (pH 6.0) conditions and was deswelled between pH 4.0 and 6.0 due to the ionic composition changes of the get network. With an increase in the ratio of PGA to PL, the hydrogels showed increasing sensitivity to salt solutions (NaCl, Na 2 SO 4 , and CaCl 2 ). In addition, degradation of PGA/PL get by protease produced from Aspergillus oryzae was investigated at 40°C and pH 7.0. PL get was degraded completely within 2 days. An increase in the ratio of PGA in the PGA/PI, mixed get led to a decrease in the degree of degradation as expected. Some subtle degradation changes were found in the 50/50 and 80/20 wt % (PGA/PL) gels that were degraded by only 3.5 and 3.8% by protease, respectively. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Poly(e-lysine) (PL) hydrogels have been prepared by means of γ irradiation of PL produced by Streptomyces albulus in aqueous solutions. When the dosage of γ irradiation was 70 kGy or more and the concentration of PL in water was 1-7 wt %, transparent hydrogels (opaque hydrogels for 1-3 wt % PL concentration) could be produced. In the case of 70 kGy of γ irradiation and 5 wt % PL concentration, the specific water content (wt of absorbed water/wt of dry hydrogel) of the PL hydrogel was approximately 160. Specific water contents of PL hydrogels decreased markedly with an increase in the dosage of γ irradiation. The specific water contents were increased with an increase in PL concentration in the irradiated solution. This result indicates the presence of a radical scavenger in the PL solution. Swelling equilibria of PL hydrogels were measured in water or in aqueous solutions of various pHs or concentrations of NaCl, Na 2 SO 4 , and CaCl 2 . Under acid conditions, the PL hydrogel swelled due to the ionic repulsion of the protonated amino groups in the PL molecules. The degree of deswelling in electrolyte solution was smaller than that of other ionic hydrogels [poly(γ-glutamic acid), poly(acrylic acid) etc.]. In addition, the enzymatic degradations of PL hydrogel were studied at 40°C and pH 7.0 in an aqueous solution of the neutral protease [Protease A (Amano)] produced from Aspergillus oryzae. The rate of enzymatic degradation of the respective PL hydrogels was much faster than the rate of simple hydrolytic degradation. The rate of enzymatic degradation decreased with the increase in γ-irradiation dose during preparation of the PL hydrogel. © 1995 John Wiley & sons, Inc.

Crosslinked microbial poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA) hydrogels were prepared by γ-irradiation, and their preparation conditions such as irradiation dose and PGA concentration were studied. When PGA solution was exposed to γ-radiation, PGA was crosslinked to yield high water sorption materials with specific water content of 100–1400 times their dry volume depending on the prepara tion conditions [e.g. irradiation dose (>20 kGy), PGA concentration (2–10 wt%)]. With an increase of γ-irradiation dosage, the gel content of PGA gels was inclined to increase but the specific water content decreased markedly. The equilibrium swelling behaviour in various aqueous solutions was investigated as a function of pH and concentration of electrolyte (NaCl, Na 2 SO 4 , CaCl 2 ). These PGA hydrogels exhibited reduced swelling when exposed to low pH or electrolyte solutions. The ionic contribution to swelling thus seems to be the main factor governing the swelling of these gels. In addition, the thermal hydrolytic degradability was measured in excess deionized water. PGA gels were almost completely degraded after about 1 h at 100°C.

Background. The association between peritoneal solute transport rates (PSTRs) and inflammatory markers in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is still under investigation. We aimed to elucidate their relationship during the first year on PD. Methods. We performed a prospective observational study with 187 incident PD patients who were treated with either biocompatible solution (BCS) or conventional solution (CS). Peritoneal dialysate effluent (PDE) and blood samples for the markers and the calculation of mass transfer area coefficient of creatinine (MTAC) were performed at 1, 6 and 12 months after commencing PD. Results. Of the 187 enrolled patients, 110 completed a 1-year study protocol. All PDE markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), TGF-βinduced gene-h3 (βig-h3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] except CA125 increased over time, whereas PSTRs, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and serum IL-6 levels did not change. Serum albumin and log PDE appearance rates (ARs) of IL-6, TGF-β and CA125 predicted MTAC. The Δ value (12-month minus 1-month) of PDE AR of IL-6 was correlated with those of all other PDE markers. Both 12-month IL-6 and ΔIL-6 ARs in PDE were highest in the upper ΔMTAC tertile. PSTRs in the CS group, unlike BCS, had a tendency to increase over time, demonstrating a time-by-group interaction. Solution type and MTAC were not associated with patient and technique survival. Conclusions. The change in PSTR during the first year of PD is related to PDE IL-6 AR, which may represent intraperitoneal inflammation; however, there does not seem to be a close association between PSTR and the degree of systemic inflammation.

BACKGROUND Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine, which is postulated to play a role in mechanism of renal allograft rejection and strongly induces interferon (IFN)-gamma production. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the G-137C IL-18 promoter polymorphism with acute allograft rejection in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). METHODS A total of 226 RTRs and 148 controls were recruited for association analysis. Genotyping was performed by using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Patients were separated into two groups, the acute rejection (AR) (n=37) or the no AR group (n=189), depending on their history of AR episodes. IL-18 and IFN-gamma serum levels of 73 randomly selected RTRs were measured by ELISA. RESULTS No significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies were observed between the RTRs and the controls. Significant differences in genotype frequency and allele frequency between the AR and no AR group were observed. The frequency of the -137GG genotype was significantly increased in patients with AR (P=0.015, odds ratio=3.653). Serum levels of IL-18 and IFN-gamma were significantly elevated in the AR group with compared with the no AR group. In the AR group, patients with the -137GG genotype had significantly higher IL-18 serum levels compared to other genotypes. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that the -137GG genotype of the IL-18 gene, encoding higher IL-18 production, seems to be associated with AR and may be a useful marker of AR risk in RTRs.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Citrus and its peels have been used in Asian folk medicine due to abundant flavonoids and usage of citrus peels, which are byproducts from juice and/or jam processing, may be a good strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of bioconversion of Jeju Hallabong tangor (Citrus kiyomi × ponkan; CKP) peels with cytolase (CKP-C) in RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Glycosides of CKP were converted into aglycosides with cytolase treatment. RAW 264.7 cells were pre-treated with 0, 100, or 200 ㎍/ml of citrus peel extracts for 4 h, followed by stimulation with 1 ㎍/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 h. Cell viability, DPPH radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide (NO), and prostagladin E₂ (PGE₂) production were examined. Real time-PCR and western immunoblotting assay were performed for detection of mRNA and/or protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, respectively. RESULTS: HPLC analysis showed that treatment of CKP with cytolase resulted in decreased flavanone rutinoside forms (narirutin and hesperidin) and increased flavanone aglycoside forms (naringenin and hesperetin). DPPH scavenging activities were observed in a dose-dependent manner for all of the citrus peel extracts and CKP-C was more potent than intact CKP. All of the citrus peel extracts decreased NO production by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and PGE2 production by COX-2. Higher dose of CKP and all CKP-C groups significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of LPS-stimulated iNOS. Only 200 ㎍/ml of CKP-C markedly decreased mRNA and protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Both 100 and 200 ㎍/ml of CKP-C notably inhibited mRNA levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6, whereas 200 ㎍/ml CKP-C significantly inhibited mRNA levels of TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that bioconversion of citrus peels with cytolase may enrich aglycoside flavanones of citrus peels and provide more potent functional food materials for prevention of chronic diseases attributable to oxidation and inflammation by increasing radical scavenging activity and suppressing pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines.

Schisandra fructus has been used for treatment of cough and thirst in Korea. However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain largely unclear. To investigate the biological effect of Schisandra fructus water extract (SFWE), we examined the effect of SFWE on the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in the human mast cell line HMC-1. HMC-1 cells were stimulated with PMA plus A23187 in the presence or absence of SFWE. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) productions were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Inhibitory IkappaB/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) expression was assessed by western blot. SFWE suppressed PMA plus A23187-induced TNF-alpha, IL-6, and GM-CSF production in dose-dependent manners. Furthermore, SFWE inhibited IkappaB degradation and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. These results suggest that SFWE inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in HMC-1 cells through blockade of IkappaB degradation and NF-kappaB activation. Taken together, these findings may help elucidate the mechanism of action of this medicine in the modulation of mast cell activation in inflammatory conditions.

Instead of the peritoneal equilibration test (PET), the dialysis adequacy and transport test (DATT) is an easy and convenient method to classify peritoneal transport type. However, the peritoneal transport characteristics obtained from the DATT and the PET are not same in some cases. In the present study, we investigated the ability of the DATT to identify peritoneal transport characteristics in a clinical setting, and we analyzed the characteristics of patients with a discrepancy between the DATT and the PET. We studied 106 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) who underwent 198 simultaneous DATTs and PETs. The 24-hour dialysate-to-plasma ratio of creatinine (D / P(Cr)) from each DATT was compared with the adjusted 4-hour D/P(Cr) from the corresponding PET. Based on the degree of the mean discrepancy between the 24-hour D / P(Cr) and the adjusted 4-hour D / P(Cr) the patients were divided into three groups: Group A patents had 24-hour D / P(Cr) values that were lower than the adjusted 4-hour D / P(Cr) values (n=13). Group B patients had 24-hour D / P(Cr) values that were equivalent to the adjusted 4-hour D / P(Cr) values (n=156). Group C patients had 24-hour D / P(Cr) values that were higher than the adjusted 4-hour D / P(Cr) values (n=29). The comparative analysis among the three groups was adjustedforperitoneal transport characteristics, dialysis adequacy indices, nutrition status, and daily dialysis prescription. The 24-hour D / P(Cr) from the DATT correlated significantly with the 4-hour D / P(Cr) (gamma = 0.759, p0.0001). In 156 cases (78.8%), the D / P(Cr) values from the DATT and the PET showed reasonable agreement; but, in 42 cases (21.2%), the values were discordant. In 94 cases (47.5%), the peritoneal transport groups as classified by the DATT and the PET were discordant. The mean difference in D / P(Cr) between the DATT and the PET was 0.07 +/- 0.08, and the DATT differed significantly from the PET in categorizing the low and low-average transport groups (p0.05). A significant difference was seen between the three groups in daily exchange volume (group A: 7384.6 +/- 1502.2 mL; group B: 7537.3 +/- 1087.7 mL; group C: 6675.9 +/- 1414.6 mL; p0.05) and in the frequency of daily exchanges (group A: 3.7 +/- 0.8 exchanges; group B: 3.8 +/- 0.4 exchanges; group C: 3.4 +/- 0.7 exchanges; p0.05). We confirmed that the DATT is an easy and convenient method of identifying peritoneal membrane transport instead of the PET, and that the DATT can be generalized to patients receiving various dialysis prescriptions and to patients receiving four daily exchanges. However, the DATT may be less accurate for CAPD patients with low or low-average transport, and the higher value of D / P(Cr) derived from the DATT, as compared with the PET, is attributable to longer dwell times and a lower dwell volume.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Citrus flavonoids have a variety of physiological properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity. We investigated whether bioconversion of Citrus unshiu with cytolase (CU-C) ameliorates the anti-adipogenic effects by modulation of adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Glycoside forms of Citrus unshiu (CU) were converted into aglycoside forms with cytolase treatment. Cell viability of CU and CU-C was measured at various concentrations in 3T3L-1 cells. The anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects were examined using Oil red O staining and free glycerol assay, respectively. We performed real time-polymerase chain reaction and western immunoblotting assay to detect mRNA and protein expression of adipogenic transcription factors, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with cytolase decreased flavanone rutinoside forms (narirutin and hesperidin) and instead, increased flavanone aglycoside forms (naringenin and hesperetin). During adipocyte differentiation, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with CU or CU-C at a dose of 0.5 mg/ml. Adipocyte differentiation was inhibited in CU-C group, but not in CU group. CU-C markedly suppressed the insulin-induced protein expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) as well as the mRNA levels of CEBPα, PPARγ, and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c). Both CU and CU-C groups significantly increased the adipolytic activity with the higher release of free glycerol than those of control group in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CU-C is particularly superior in suppression of adipogenesis, whereas CU-C has similar effect to CU on stimulation of lipolysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that bioconversion of Citrus unshiu peel extracts with cytolase enhances aglycoside flavonoids and improves the anti-adipogenic metabolism via both inhibition of key adipogenic transcription factors and induction of adipolytic activity.

We evaluated the risk of coronary-artery disease in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) by measuring the coronary-artery calcium scores with electron beam CT (EBCT). A total of 81 CRF patients were divided into three groups; pre-dialysis (group I, n = 35), hemodialysis (group II, n = 31) and peritoneal dialysis (group III, n = 15). The several serum biochemical markers and calcium score levels by EBCT were determined. The Ca x P products were significantly higher in groups II (p0.05) and III (p0.01) than in group I. The serum calcium levels were significantly higher in group III than in both group I (p0.01) and II (p0.05). The serum calcium level in 15 patients with a calcium score400 was significantly higher than the 66 patients with a scoreor =400 (p0.01). The calcium score was significantly higher in the 15 patients with cardiovascular complications than in the 66 patients without cardiovascular complications (628.9+/-904.8 vs. 150.4+/-350.9, p0.01). EBCT seemed to be a good diagnostic tool for evaluating the risk of coronary-artery disease ''noninvasively'' in CRF patients who are at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.