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Polyethylene reinforced poly(aryl-co-aryl piperidinium) based membranes possess outstanding mechanical properties (tensile strength: 114 MPa, elongation at break: 159%) along with a fuel cell performance of 1.75 W cm−2 at 80 °C.

Di-piperidinium crosslinked poly(fluorenyl-co-terphenyl piperidinium) membranes displayed outstanding mechanical strength (∼90 MPa) and durability along with high power density of 2.50 W cm−2 in alkaline exchange membrane fuel cells.

Aryl‐ether‐free anion‐exchange ionomers (AEIs) and membranes (AEMs) have become an important benchmark to address the insufficient durability and power‐density issues associated with AEM fuel cells (AEMFCs). Here, we present aliphatic chain‐containing poly(diphenyl‐terphenyl piperidinium) (PDTP) copolymers to reduce the phenyl content and adsorption of AEIs and to increase the mechanical properties of AEMs. Specifically, PDTP AEMs possess excellent mechanical properties (storage modulus>1800 MPa, tensile strength>70 MPa), H2 fuel‐barrier properties (7.6 A cm−2 current density) and 1.38 W cm−2 at 80 °C in H2/O2 and H2/air, respectively, along with a specific power (PPD/catalyst loading) over 8 W mg−1, which is the highest record for Pt‐based AEMFCs so far., Poly(alkyl‐terphenyl piperidinium) membranes and ionomers display outstanding hydrogen‐barrier properties and mechanical properties as well as excellent hydroxide‐ion conductivity that results in an excellent power density of 2.58 W cm−2 and 1.38 W cm−2 at 80 °C in H2/O2 and H2/air, respectively, along with a new, outstanding specific power in alkaline‐exchange‐membrane fuel cells.

Low-cost anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) are a new technology for the production of high-purity hydrogen; however, their current density and durability are far lower than those of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). Here, we report poly(fluorenyl-co-aryl piperidinium) (PFAP)-based anhydrous cathode AEMWEs that exceed the state-of-the-art PEMWEs with respect to current density. In addition to a rational electrode design, PFAP-based AEMs with a high water diffusivity and ion conductivity are crucial for high-performance AEMWEs. Using platinum-group-metal (PGM) catalysts, the present AEMWEs achieved a new record current density of 7.68 A cm−2 at 2.0 V with a 1 M KOH anode, which surpasses that of state-of-the-art PEMWEs (6 A cm−2 at 2.0 V). PGM-free AEMWEs displayed an excellent current density of 1.62 A cm−2 at 2.0 V. Importantly, PGM and PGM-free AEMWEs operated stably under a 0.5 A cm−2 current density at 60 °C for more than 1000 h. This work sheds light on current high-performance AEMWEs.

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have experienced rapid advancement in the past few years due to the discovery of high-performance AEMs and ionomers. Here, we report a series of side-chain-type poly(dibenzbeyl-co-terphenyl piperidinium) (s-PDTP) copolymers as ionomers and membranes for AEMFC applications. The features of aryl ether-free PDTP polymer backbone and pendent ammonium groups endow both high alkaline stability and excellent micromorphology to s-PDTP copolymers. These ion-exchange-capacity (IEC)-controlled s-PDTP membranes possess high OH− conductivity >120 mS cm−1 at 80 °C, reasonable molecular weight (Mw = 150–290 kDa), and excellent ex-situ durability in 1 M NaOH at 80 °C for 1000 h (∼90% conductivity remaining). For ionomer research, s-PDTP ionomers with moderate IEC (∼3.0 mmol g−1) and rational water uptake (∼200%) exhibit optimal AEMFC performance based on a PDTP membrane compared to high-IEC or low-IEC s-PDTP ionomers (>3.4 mmol g−1 or

We systematically study anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) based on poly(aryl-co-aryl piperidinium) (c-PAP) copolymers and provide a scalable scenario for high-performance AEMFCs, covering the optimization of the relative humidity (RH), catalyst species, catalyst interfaces, and hydrophobic treatment. Specifically, high-water-permeable c-PAP ionomers in the presence of moderate relative humidity (RH) (75%/100%) can be used to address anode flooding and cathode dry-out issues. The composition of the catalyst layer and the anode hydrophobic treatment significantly impact the power density of AEMFCs. c-PAP-based AEMFCs with optimum catalyst composition achieve a peak power density (PPD) of 2.70 W cm−2 at 80 °C in H2-O2 after hydrophobic treatment. Pt1Co1/C cathode-based AEMFCs reach a PPD of 1.80 W cm−2 along with an outstanding specific power of 13.87 W mg−1. Moreover, these AEMFCs can be operated under a 0.2 A cm−2 current density at 60 °C for over 300 h with a voltage decay rate of ∼300 μv h−1.

Background: Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) is a symptom patients usually feel cold in their hands and feet, but not dealt with a disease in western medicine. However, it is often appealed by patients at a clinic of Korean medicine (KM), considered to be a sort of key diagnostic indicator, and actively treated by physicians. Nevertheless, there is no standardized diagnostic definition for CHHF. Therefore, we surveyed KM experts’ opinions to address the clinical definition, diagnostic criteria, and other relevant things on CHHF. Methods: We developed a survey to assess the definition, diagnosis, causes, and accompanying symptoms on CHHF. 31 experts who work at specialized university hospitals affiliated with KM hospitals consented to participation. Experts responded to survey questions by selecting multiple-choice answers or stating their opinions. Results: Vast majority of experts (83.8%) agreed with our definition on CHHF (“a feeling of cold as a symptom; that one's hands or feet become colder than those of average people in temperatures that are not normally perceived as cold”). 77.4% of experts considered subjective symptoms on CHHF were more important than medical instrument results. Constitution or genetic factors (87.1%) and stress (64.5%) were the most common causes reported for CHHF. Conclusions: This study offers an expert consensus regarding the themes, opinions, and experiences of practitioners with CHHF. Our results underscore the need for standardized definitions and diagnostic criteria for CHHF. Keywords: Cold hypersensitivity, Cold extremities, Cold constitution

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have advanced rapidly in the past four years, while the majority of the state-of-the-art AEMFCs relies on unrealistic and uneconomical operating conditions, particularly a high hydrogen flow rate (>1000 mL min−1). Here, we report a poly(fluorenyl aryl piperidinium) (PFAP) ionomer that enables high power of AEMFC with low hydrogen flow rate (≤100 mL min−1 for 5 cm2 cell). The high water permeability of the ionomer is beneficial to prevent anode flooding under moderate relative humidity. The relationship between hydrogen flow rate and limiting current density is revealed based on PFAP copolymers. Specifically, the peak power density of AEMFC is 1.77 W cm−2 with a H2 flow rate of 75 mL min−1, retaining >70% power density from the H2 flow rate of 1000 mL min−1 (2.42 W cm−2). Importantly, the present AEMFCs display much higher hydrogen utilization efficiency above 90% and hydrogen fuel power (∼30 W cm−2 L−1) than previously reported AEMFCs ( 110 h.

Poly(aryl-co-aryl piperidinium) (c-PAP) copolymers have recently demonstrated great successes in anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and ionomers for AEM fuel cells (AEMFCs). Here, we present a series of in-situ styrene-crosslinked c-PAP (x-PAP-PS) membranes to further enhance the mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and water retention capacity of c-PAP AEMs. Specifically, x-PAP-PS AEMs simultaneously possess high ion conductivity (>150 mS cm−1), tensile strength (>80 MPa), and chemical and mechanical durability (~90 % ion conductivity and mechanical strength maintaining in 1 M NaOH at 80 °C for 2160 h). Additionally, x-PAP-PS-based AEMFCs reached peak power densities (PPDs) of 2.23 W cm−2 in H2–O2 and 1.32 W cm−2 in H2-air at 80 °C. Importantly, compared to pristine c-PAP AEMs, x-PAP-PS AEMs display higher water retention capacity at low relative humidity (RH), and the corresponding AEMFCs reach PPDs >1 W cm−2 with Pt/C at 30 %/30 % RH at 90 °C. Moreover, the x-PAP-PS-based AEMFCs can be operated stably under a 0.4 A cm−2 current density at 60 °C for ~120 h.

Aim Raynaud's phenomenon is characterized by prolonged vasoconstriction in cutaneous capillaries on cold stress. RhoA activity would be a therapeutic target for treating Raynaud's phenomenon. A traditional herbal medicine, ucha-shinki-hwan, has been used to promote vasodilation, but the biological mechanism of ucha-shinki-hwan is still unclear. Thus, we hypothesized that ucha-shinki-hwan is able to be used for treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon and that ucha-shinki-hwan inhibits cold-induced vasoconstriction by targeting RhoA GTPase. Methods Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells were pretreated with ucha-shinki-hwan for 30 min, followed by incubation in room temperature (37 ± 2°C) or a lower temperature (25 ± 2°C) for 30 min. Expression of active RhoA was measured on western blot. Endothelin-1 and nitric oxide production were examined on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The formation of stress fiber and focal adhesion complex was analyzed using immunocytochemistry. Results Cold exposure activated RhoA GTPase whereas ucha-shinki-hwan treatment suppressed its activation in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Moreover, ucha-shinki-hwan decreased cold-induced endothelin-1 and nitric oxide production. In addition, ucha-shinki-hwan treatment inhibited the formation of stress fiber and focal adhesion complex with downregulation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), SRC kinase and extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) phosphorylation. Conclusion Ucha-shinki-hwan inhibits contraction of cold-exposed human dermal microvascular endothelial cells by targeting RhoA activation. This in vitro study is therefore the first to suggest that ucha-shinki-hwan is likely to be effective for inhibiting cold-induced response in vascular endothelial cells.

Background Silibinin is the major active molecule of silymarin, the mixture of flavonolignans extracted from Cirsium japonicum. It has been used for the treatment of hepatitis and inflammation-related diseases. In the present study, the effects of silibinin on allergic inflammation and its signaling were investigated in the induced human mast cells. Methods Cell growth inhibition induced by silibinin was measured by MTS assay. Histamine release was measured by enzyme immunoassay. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secreted protein levels and mRNA levels were measured by the ELISA assay and RT-PCR, respectively. The NF-κB promoter activity was examined by a luciferase assay. Results Silibinin suppressed the growth of HMC-1 cells and also reduced the production and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8. Moreover, silibinin inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB through inhibition of the phosphorylation of IκBα and suppressed NF-κB transcriptional activity in stimulated HMC-1 cells. Conclusions Taken together, these results indicate that silibinin inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway in HMC-1 human mast cells, suggesting that silibinin could be used for the treatment of mast cell-derived allergic inflammatory diseases.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) is a plant with a long history of medicinal use in Eastern Asia. RVS has been widely used to treat gastritis, stomach cancer and atherosclerosis. The cytotoxic effects of different solvent fractions from an RVS ethanol extract were measured in 11 human cancer cell lines. The study showed that the ethyl-acetate (EtOAC) fraction was the most cytotoxic. This fraction contains a number of phenolic compounds, and this phenolic-rich EtOAC fraction was particularly effective against gastric and breast cancer cells. A purified phenolic-rich EtOAC fraction (PPEF) had a stronger apoptotic effect on these cells. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed that the PPEF contained gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, fisetin, sulfuretin, butein and 8 unknown compounds. There were only small amounts of flavonoids: fisetin, sulfuretin and butein. The results showed that PPEF induces apoptosis only in gastric and breast cancer cell lines, but not in lung, colon or liver cancer cell lines. Therefore, PPEF may have a significant potential as an organ-specific anti-cancer agent.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has been used in traditional Eastern Asia medicine for the treatment of gastritis and stomach cancer, although the mechanism for its biological activity remains to be elucidated. We previously established that an ethanol extract of RVS-induced G 1 -cell cycle arrest via accumulation of p27 Kip1 controlled by Skp2 reduction and apoptosis in AGS human gastric cancer cells. Here, we showed that an ethanol extract of RVS-induced apoptosis via caspase-9 activation (mitochondrial death pathway) is mediated by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, Δ ψ m ) and the release of cytochrome C from the mitochondrial intermembrane space. In addition, an ethanol extract of RVS inactivated PI3K-Akt/PKB kinase in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, combined treatment of an ethanol extract of RVS and LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) markedly increased apoptosis compared to treatment with an ethanol extract of RVS alone. The role of PI3K-Akt/PKB in this process was confirmed by constitutive expression of inactive mutants of this kinase in AGS cells. Finally, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Akt/PKB expression resulted in a significant reduction in AGS cell proliferation. Taken together, these results suggest that an ethanol extract of RVS induces apoptosis via a mitochondrial death pathway in human gastric cancer cells, but not in normal cells, and inhibition of the PI3K-Akt/PKB pathway enhanced the mitochondrial death pathway.

Danggui-Sayuk-Ga-Osuyu-Senggang-Tang (DSGOST), one of the traditional Chinese medicines, has long been prescribed for patients suffering from Raynaud phenomenon (RP) in Northeast Asian countries, including China, Japan and Korea. Although a previous in vitro study from our laboratory revealed that DSGOST prevents cold (25˚C)‑induced RhoA activation and endothelin‑1 (ET‑1) production in endothelial cells (ECs), the mechanisms by which DSGOST is able to alleviate the symptoms of RP have yet to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to demonstrate that DSGOST regulates RhoA‑mediated pathways in cold‑exposed pericytes. In pericytes, DSGOST amplified cold‑induced RhoA activation, while markedly reducing ET‑1‑induced RhoA activation. Additionally, DSGOST‑mediated regulation of RhoA was closely associated with Rho‑associated, coiled‑coil‑containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1)/testis‑specific kinase 1 (TESK1)/PDXP, but not with LIM domain kinase 1/2 (LIMK1/2), cofilin and myosin light chain (MLC). Thus, DSGOST activation of RhoA/ROCK1/TESK1/PDXP in cold‑exposed pericytes appeared to be crucial for treating vessel contraction. In addition, the DSGOST effect on the RhoA‑mediated pathway in cold‑induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells or human dermal microvascular endothelial cells was similar to that in ET‑1‑treated pericytes, but not in cold‑induced pericytes. The results of the present study further confirmed that DSGOST inhibits cold‑induced contraction of the mouse tail vein in vivo. Furthermore, DSGOST treatment reduced cold‑induced expression of the α2c‑adrenergic receptor in mouse tail vessels. Therefore, the data in the present study suggest that DSGOST may be useful for the treatment of RP‑like disease.

Experts of Sasang Constitution Medicine of Traditional Korean Medicine have classified stroke patients with four types of Sasang constitutions in their clinical practice and some types of Sasang constitutions have been regarded as risk factors of stroke, but this is uncertain because there were no evidences by large scale of prospective studies. The purpose of this was to study the association between strokes and Sasang constitutions. Case-control study has been conducted to the patients admitted to the research hospitals. The patients were confirmed stroke by brain MRI or CT scans and recruited from May 2003 to August 2005. The subjects who met the requirement of inclusion and exclusion criteria were 108 patients as the cases and 107 as healthy controls. Data collection has been performed by the trained specialists majoring neurologists through interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory testes. No statistical significance was obtained between the strokes and Sasang constitutions, yet Taeumin, and Soyangin types showed a trend of increase in the incidence of strokes as compared with Soeumin. To acquire more concrete data on this theme, we need further and large scale of prospective researches.

Cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia are a multifactorial condition described by a loss of body weight and muscle with anorexia, asthenia, and anemia. Moreover, they correlate with a high mortality rate, poor response to chemotherapy, poor performance status, and poor quality of life. Cancer cachexia is regulated by proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). In addition, glucagon like peptide-1 (GIP-1), peptide YY (PYY), ghrelin, and leptin plays a crucial role in food intake. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of one of the traditional herbal medicines, Sipjeondaebo-tang (Juzen-taiho-to in Japanese; SJDBT), on cancer anorexia and cachexia in a fundamental mouse cancer anorexia/cachexia model, CT-26 tumor-bearing mice. SJDBT was more significantly effective in a treatment model where it was treated after anorexia and cachexia than in a prevention model where it was treated before anorexia and cachexia on the basis of parameters such as weights of muscles and whole body and food intakes. Moreover, SJDBT inhibited a production of IL-6, MCP-1, PYY, and GLP-1 and ameliorated cancer-induced anemia. Therefore, ourin vivostudies provide evidence on the role of SJDBT in cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia, thereby suggesting that SJDBT may be useful for treating cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia.

Herbal prescription, Danggui-Sayuk-Ga-Osuyu-Saenggang-tang (DSGOST), has long been used to treat Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, a biological mechanism by which DSGOST ameliorates RP is yet deciphered. In this study, we demonstrate that DSGOST inhibits cold-induced activation of RhoA, in both vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC), and blocks endothelin-1-mediated paracrine path for cold response on vessels. While cold induced RhoA activity in both cell types, DSGOST pretreatment prevented cold-induced RhoA activation. DSGOST inhibition of cold-induced RhoA activation further blockedα2c-adrenoreceptor translocation to the plasma membrane in VSMC. In addition, DSGOST inhibited endothelin-1-mediated RhoA activation andα2c-adrenoreceptor translocation in VSMC. Meanwhile, DSGOST inhibited cold-induced or RhoA-dependent phosphorylation of FAK, SRC, and ERK. Consistently, DSGOST inhibited cold-induced endothelin-1 expression in EC. Therefore, DSGOST prevents cold-induced RhoA in EC and blocks endothelin-1-mediated paracrine path between EC and VSMC. In conclusion, our data suggest that DSGOST is beneficial for treating RP-like syndrome.

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HCT) is widely used in oriental medicine as a remedy for inflammation. However, at present there is no explanation for the mechanism by which HCT affects the production of inflammatory cytokines. The current study aimed to determine the effect of an essence extracted from HCT on mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses. Inflammatory cytokine production induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus a calcium ionophore, A23187, was measured in the human mast cell line, HMC-1, incubated with various concentrations of HCT. TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 secreted protein levels were measured using an ELISA assay. TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA levels were measured using RT-PCR analysis. Nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins were examined by western blot analysis. The NF-κB promoter activity was examined by luciferase assay. It was observed that HCT inhibited PMA plus A23187-induced TNF-α and IL-6 secretion and reduced the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8. It was also noted that HCT suppressed the induction of NF-κB activity, inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB and blocked the phosphorylation of IκBα in stimulated HMC-1 cells. It was concluded that HCT is an inhibitor of NF-κB and cytokines blocking mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses. These results indicate that HCT may be used for the treatment of mast cell-derived allergic inflammatory diseases.

Aging is a progressive process related to the accumulation of oxidative damage and neuroinflammation. We tried to find the anti-amnesic effect of the Scutellaria baicalens Georgia (SBG) ethanol extract and its major ingredients. The antioxidative effect of SBG on the mice model with memory impairment induced by chronic injection of D-galactose and sodium nitrate was studied. The Y-maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory function of mice. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and the content of malondialdehyde in brain tissue were used for the antioxidation activities. Neuropathological alteration and expression of bcl-2 protein were investigated in the hippocampus by immunohistochemical staining. ROS, neuroinflammation and apoptosis related molecules expression such as Cox-2, iNOS, procaspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, 8 and 9, bcl-2 and bax protein and the products of iNOS and Cox-2, NO, PGE2, were studied using LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells and microglia BV2 cells. The cognition of mice was significantly improved by the treatment of baicalein and 50 and 100 mg/kg of SBG in Y-maze test. Both SBG groups showed strong antioxidation, antiinflammation effects with significantly decreased iNOS and Cox-2 expression, NO and PGE2 production, increased bcl-2 and decreased bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression in LPS induced Raw 264.7 and BV2 cells. We also found that apoptotic pathway was caused by the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway with the decreased cleaved caspase-9 and unchanged cleaved caspase-8 expression. These findings suggest that SBG, especially high dose, 100 mg/kg, improved the memory impairments significantly and showed antioxidation, antiinflammation and intrinsic caspase-mediated apoptosis effects.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the strategy of future Korean medicine(KM) clinical research through the study on the proposals for KM clinical research worldwide. In this study, the papers published in English through Pubmed were investigated mainly. Among them, we analyzed the methodological proposals from the clinical research papers that were published in the KM related fields. Various proposals for improving the problems in KM clinical studies are as follows. First, KM clinical research should be designed based on understanding for the theory, backgrounds, paradigms and worldviews of KM. In addition, considering the model validity, KM clinical research model should include the diagnosis, interventions and outcomes measurement methods reflecting the characteristics and real practice in KM. The internal validity and external validity should be also taken into account. One of the most important thing is to identify the contents about various and complex 'real practice' in KM. A prospective observational study was suitable for the purpose of this study. Finally, we suggested a few improvement directions for RCTs studies in KM. First, we would be able to improve the quality and the internal validity in KM clinical research using the checklists of CONSORT(Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials) Statement and STRICTA(Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture). Second, we could use various clinical research methods and the modified research of RCTs such as PCT(pragmatic clinical trial) to reflect the characteristics of actual KM practice. Consequently, we would be able to improve the external validity. Third, the KM diagnosis and outcomes measurement methods should be developed based on an actual KM practice and it should reflect a real practice. The 'pattern identification( )' is the core to KM diagnosis. But in order to be applied to the clinical research, the 辨證 pattern identification( ) should be objectified and standardized. Future KM clinical research model should reflect the 辨證

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Araliaceae) is immunological modulator which has been successfully used for anti-inflammatory effectors on anti-rheumatic diseases in oriental medicine. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and Akt modulate the transcription of many genes involved in the inflammatory process. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-activated macrophages. Finally, we studied the involvement of MAPKs and Akt signaling in the protective effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus in LPS-activated macrophages. Eleutherococcus senticosus significantly attenuated LPS-induced iNOS expression but not COX-2 expression. In using the standard inhibitors (MAPKs and Akt), our results show that Eleutherococcus senticosus downregulates inflammatory iNOS expression by blocking JNK and Akt activation.

Botanical preparations are widely used by patient with cancer in Korea, Japan and China. Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has traditionally been used as a medicinal ingredient for the therapy of stomach and uterine cancer. In this study, we showed that exposure to an ethanol extract of RVS (50 μg/ml) resulted in a synergistic inhibitory effect on cell growth in AGS cells. Growth inhibition was related with the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The extract induces G 1 -cell cycle arrest through the regulation of cyclins, the induction of p27 Kip1 , and decrease the CDK2 kinase activity. The upregulated p27 Kip1 level is caused by protein stability increment by the reduction of Skp2, a key molecule related with p27 Kip1 ubiquitination and degradation, and de novo protein synthesis. RVS extract induces apoptosis through the expression of Bax, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and activation of caspase-3. RVS extract induces G 1 -cell cycle arrest via accumulation of p27 Kip1 controlled by Skp2 reduction and apoptosis passing through an intrinsic pathway in human gastric cancer cells but not in normal cells, therefore we suggest that this extract could be a candidate medicine or compound for the development of novel class of anti-cancer drugs.

The Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has been used for the treatment of gastric cancer in Korea, and China, although the mechanism for the biological activity remains to be elucidated. In this study w...

Objective To evaluate the efficacy, safety, satisfaction, discomfort and patient preference of moxa cones of artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa. Methods This comparative study of moxibustion treatment with Artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa cone stimulating Zhongwan (CV 12) is a cross-over single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. A total of 40 healthy subjects (24 males and 16 females) participated in this study. Two subjects dropped out of the trial. Thirty-eight subjects were treated with Artemisia vulgaris and charcoal moxa cones for 30 min in a cross-over design. After treatment, the patients underwent a 30 minute waiting period, and then the temperatures at Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were measured using digital infrared thermal imaging. Results After the use of Artemisia vulgaris moxa, the patients' body temperatures were slightly lowered at Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4), but the changes were not statistically significant. After the use of charcoal moxa, the patients' body temperatures were somewhat increased at Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4), but the changes were not statistically significant. After Artemisia vulgaris moxa use, the body temperature difference between Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4) was significantly increased. After charcoal moxa use, the body temperature difference between Tanzhong (CV 17) and Zhongwan (CV 12) was significantly decreased in males and in the whole group. This change was caused by the difference in the moxibustion type and by gender differences. Conclusion This pilot study found that moxibustion did not raise the body temperature, but temperature differences between acupoints were affected. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed for the effect of moxibustion on body temperature.

Background Hwa-byung, a Korean culture-bound syndrome with both psychological and somatic symptoms, is also known as ‘anger syndrome’. It includes various physical symptoms including anxiety, a feeling of overheating, a sensation of pressure on the chest, heart palpitations, respiratory stuffiness, insomnia, and anxiety. Methods/design The proposed study is a single-center, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with two parallel arms: an oriental medicine music therapy (OMMT) group and a control music therapy (CMT) group. In total, 48 patients will be enrolled into the trial. The first visit will be the screening visit. At baseline (visit 2), all participants fulfilling both the inclusion and the exclusion criteria will be split and randomly divided into two equal groups: the OMMT and the CMT (n = 24 each). Each group will receive treatment sessions over the course of 4 weeks, twice per week, for eight sessions in total. The primary outcome is the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the secondary outcomes are the Hwa-byung scale (H-scale), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Hwa-byung visual analogue scale (H-VAS) for primary symptoms, the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale, brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), and levels of salivary cortisol. Patients will be asked to complete questionnaires at the baseline visit (visit 2), after the last treatment session (visit 9), and at 4 weeks after the end of all trial sessions (visit 10). From the baseline (visit 2) through the follow-up (visit 10), the entire process will take a total of 53 days. Discussion This proposed study targets patients with Hwa-byung, especially those who have exhibited symptoms of anxiety. Therefore, the primary outcome is set to measure the level of anxiety. OMMT is music therapy combined with traditional Korean medicinal theories. Unlike previously reported music therapies, for which patients simply listen to music passively, in OMMT, patients actively move their bodies and play the music. Because Hwa-byung is caused by an accumulation of blocked emotions and anger inside the body, OMMT, because of its active component, is expected to be more efficacious than pre-existing music therapies. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN11939282