Size-dependent toxic interaction between polystyrene beads and mercury on the mercury accumulation and multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) of brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis.

Due to their worldwide distribution and persistence, mercury (Hg), and nano- and microplastics (NMPs) pose major threats to global ocean ecosystems. Hg and NMPs co-exist in the ocean and can interact with each other. However, information on the toxicity of this interaction to marine biota remains limited. Thus, we investigated the toxicological interaction between HgCl2 (Hg) and NMPs by studying the influence of different sizes of polystyrene beads (0.05-, 0.5-, and 6-µm) on Hg accumulation in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis. The Hg adsorption capacity of NPs (0.05-µm) was higher than that of MPs (0.5- and 6-µm). Only the group co-exposed to both Hg and NPs showed increased Hg content in D. celebensis. Multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) activity and transcriptional modulation of transporter genes (ABCBs and ABCCs) were decreased by NMP exposure, particularly by NPs, suggesting MXR disruption by NPs. However, only the activity of multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs; ABCCs) increased with Hg exposure and decreased upon NP+Hg co-exposure, indicating an important role of ABCC in Hg efflux. Furthermore, in vivo toxicity tests showed a synergistic toxic interaction between Hg and NPs on the reproduction of D. celebensis. Our findings suggest that NPs have the potential to enhance the toxicity of Hg, increasing Hg accumulation not only by serving Hg as a carrier but also by disrupting MXR.

Timing of Delivery for Twins.

The optimal gestational age for delivery of twin gestations balances the risk to the mother with the risks to the fetus and newborn. Primary considerations should include chorionicity and the presence or absence of other obstetrical complications such as fetal growth restriction or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. More than half of twin gestations will deliver preterm, and a significant portion will be due to spontaneous labor or medical indications, such that the timing of delivery for twins is typically less determined by the provider discretion. Future studies are needed to assist in clarifying the optimal timing for delivery of twin pregnancies.

Effect of heavy metals on the energy metabolism in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis.

Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) are of great concern in aquatic ecosystems because of their global distribution, persistence, and biomagnification via the food web. They can induce the expression of cellular protective systems (e.g., detoxification enzymes and antioxidant enzymes) to protect organisms from oxidative stress, which is a high-energy-consuming process. Thus, energy reserves (e.g., glycogen, lipids, and proteins) are utilized to maintain metabolic homeostasis. Although a few studies have suggested that heavy metal stress can modulate the metabolic cycle in crustaceans, information on changes in energy metabolism under metal pollution remains lacking in planktonic crustaceans. In the present study, the activity of digestive enzymes (amylase, trypsin, and lipase) and the contents of energy storage molecules (glycogen, lipid, and protein) were examined in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis exposed to Cd, Pb, and As for 48 h. Transcriptional modulation of the three AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and metabolic pathway-related genes was further investigated. Amylase activity was highly increased in all heavy metal-exposed groups, whereas trypsin activity was reduced in Cd- and As-exposed groups. While glycogen content was increased in all exposed groups in a concentration-dependent manner, lipid content was reduced at higher concentrations of heavy metals. The expression of AMPKs and metabolic pathway-related genes was distinct among heavy metals. In particular, Cd activated the transcription of AMPK-, glucose/lipid metabolism-, and protein synthesis-related genes. Our findings indicate that Cd can disrupt energy metabolism, and may be a potent metabolic toxicant in D. celebensis. This study provides insights into the molecular mode of action of heavy metal pollution on the energy metabolism in planktonic crustaceans.

Wheatgrass-and-Aronia-Mixed Extract Suppresses Immunoglobulin E-Mediated Allergic Reactions In Vitro and In Vivo.

Mast cells are an important component of immune responses. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E-sensitized mast cells release substances within minutes of allergen exposure, triggering allergic responses. Until now, numerous pharmacological effects of wheatgrass and aronia have been verified, but the effects of wheatgrass and aronia (TAAR)-mixed extract on allergic reactions have not been identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the anti-allergic effect of TAAR extract on mast cell activation and cutaneous anaphylaxis. In this study, we investigated the anti-allergic effects and related mechanisms of TAAR extract in IgE-activated mast cells in vitro. We also assessed the ameliorating effect of TAAR extract on IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis mice in vivo. The TAAR extract significantly reduced the expression of ß-hexosaminidase, histamine, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are mediators related to mast cell degranulation, via the regulation of various signaling pathways. The TAAR extract also regulated oxidative-stress-related factors through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Additionally, treatment of TAAR extract to the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis mouse model improved ear thickness and local ear pigmentation. Taken together, our results suggest that TAAR extract is a potential candidate natural product to treat overall IgE-mediated allergic inflammation and oxidative-stress-related diseases by suppressing mast cell activity.

Metabolomic analysis of combined exposure to microplastics and methylmercury in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis.

Owing to their widespread distribution and high bioaccumulation, microplastics (MPs) and mercury (Hg) are considered major threats to the ocean. MP interacts with Hg because of its high adsorption properties. However, their toxicological interactions with marine organisms, especially combined effects at the molecular level, are poorly understood. This study investigated the single and combined effects of MP and Hg on the metabolic profile of the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis. A total of 238 metabolites were significantly affected by MP, Hg, or MP + Hg. Metabolite perturbation patterns showed that toxicity of Hg and MP + Hg was similar and that of MP was not significant. Among the 223 metabolites affected by Hg, profiles of 32 unannotated metabolites were significantly different from those of MP + Hg, and combined effects of MP + Hg decreased the effect of Hg on 25 of these metabolites. Only 11 annotated metabolites were significantly affected by Hg or MP + Hg and were related to carbohydrate, lipid, vitamin, and ecdysteroid metabolism. Ten metabolites were decreased by Hg and MP + Hg and were not significantly different between the exposure groups. Enrichment analysis showed that galactose, starch, and sucrose metabolism were the most affected pathways. These findings suggest that MP has negligible toxic effect, and Hg can induce energy depletion, membrane damage, and disruption of growth, development, and reproduction. Although the impact of MP was negligible, the combined effects of MP + Hg could be metabolite specific. This study provides better understanding of the combined effects of MP and Hg on marine organisms.

Inhibitory Effect of Elaeagnus umbellata Fractions on Melanogenesis in α-MSH-Stimulated B16-F10 Melanoma Cells.

When skin is exposed to UV radiation, melanocytes produce melanin. Excessive melanin production leads to skin pigmentation, which causes various cosmetic and health problems. Therefore, the development of safe, natural therapeutics that inhibit the production of melanin is necessary. Elaeagnus umbellata (EU) has long been widely used as a folk medicinal plant because of pharmacological properties that include anti-ulcer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity and melanogenesis inhibitory effects of EU fractions in B16-F10 melanoma cells. EU fractions showed a dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activity in radical scavenging activity. In addition, we evaluated the effect of EU fractions on tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced B16-F10 melanoma cells. EU was noncytotoxic at 12.5-50 µg/mL. EU fractions effectively inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis, suppressed the phosphorylation of CREB and ERK involved in the melanogenesis pathway, and down-regulated expression of melanogenesis-related proteins. Interestingly, the anti-melanogenesis effect was most effective at a concentration of 50 µg/mL EU, and the effects of the fractions were superior to those of the extract. Therefore, our study suggests that EU has potential as a safe treatment for excessive pigmentation or as a natural ingredient in cosmetics.

Extract of Triticum aestivum Sprouts Suppresses Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the oldest known food crop, and many studies have reported that wheat shoots (i.e., wheatgrass) possess anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, the potentially ameliorative effect of wheat shoots on hepatotoxicity caused by high doses of N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (acetaminophen, APAP) has yet to be reported. C57BL/6 mice received daily oral TAE (100 or 200 mg/kg), positive control (silymarin 100 mg/kg), or negative control (saline vehicle) treatments for 7 days prior to intraperitoneal APAP injection. Histological, serum (ELISA), Western blotting, and quantitative PCR analyses of excised liver tissues were then performed. Pre-treatment with TAE (100 or 200 mg/kg) ameliorated APAP-induced pathological damage (i.e., hepatotoxic lesions), reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, and also ameliorated APAP-induced increases in oxidative stress, thereby inhibiting oxidative liver damage and reducing the expression of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, TAE pre-treatment inhibited the expression of Cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1), which is a key enzyme in the onset of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, suppressed the expression of the target proteins regulated by the antioxidant enzyme Nrf2, and suppressed hepatocyte apoptosis. These findings suggest that TAE is an attractive therapeutic candidate that exhibits potential hepatoprotective activity by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and liver damage.

Gastrodia elata Blume and Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold & Zucc Mixed Extract Suppress Platelet Aggregation and Thrombosis.

Background and objectives: Blood vessel thrombosis causes blood circulation disorders, leading to various diseases. Currently, various antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs, such as aspirin, warfarin, heparin, and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), are used as the major drugs for the treatment of a wide range of thrombosis. However, these drugs have a side effect of possibly causing internal bleeding due to poor hemostasis when taken for a long period of time. Materials and Methods: Gastrodia elata Blume (GE) and Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold & Zucc (ZS) are known to exhibit hemostatic and antiplatelet effects as traditional medicines that have been used for a long time. In this study, we investigated the effect of a mixed extract of GE and ZS (MJGE09) on platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation. Results: We found that MJGE09 inhibited collagen-and ADP-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. In addition, collagen- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation were also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner on the platelets of mice that were orally administered MJGE09 ex vivo. However, compared with aspirin, MJGE09 did not prolong the rat tail vein bleeding time in vivo and did not show a significant effect on the increase in the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Conclusions: These results suggest that MJGE09 can be used as a potential anticoagulant with improved antithrombotic efficacy.

Development and Evaluation of Olive Flounder cyp1a1-Luciferase Assay for Effective Detection of CYP1A-Inducing Contaminants in Coastal Sediments.

Flounders have been widely used as indicator species for monitoring the benthic environment of marine coastal regions owing to their habitat and feeding preferences in or on sandy sediments. Here, a single-step, sensitive, specific, and simple luciferase assay was developed, using the olive flounder cyp1a1 gene, for effective detection of CYP1A-inducing contaminants in coastal sediments. The developed cyp1a1-luciferase assay was highly sensitive to the widely used CYP1A inducers 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), and 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126). In the case of TCDD, significant dose-dependent increases in luciferase activity (0.3-300 ng/L) were detected. The assay was more sensitive to PCB 126 than to B[a]P. The assay also involved the highly sensitive expression of luciferase to extracted mixtures of PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) collected from coastal sediments. PCBs were more capable of cyp1a1 induction in the assay system at small doses than PAHs in environmental samples. Using the cyp1a1-luciferase assay along with water or sediment chemistry will certainly aid in diagnosing CYP1A-inducing contaminants in coastal environments.

Extract of Boehmeria nivea Suppresses Mast Cell-Mediated Allergic Inflammation by Inhibiting Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Nuclear Factor-κB.

Mast cells are effector cells that initiate allergic inflammatory immune responses by inducing inflammatory mediators. Boehmeria nivea (Linn.) Gaudich is a natural herb in the nettle family Urticaceae that possesses numerous pharmacological properties. Despite the various pharmacological benefits of Boehmeria nivea, its effects on allergic inflammation have not yet been determined. Here, we investigated the effect of the ethanol extract of Boehmeria nivea (BNE) on degranulation rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells stimulated with anti-dinitrophenyl (anti-DNP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) during immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic immune response. The results showed inhibition of the release of ß-hexosaminidase and histamine from the cells. BNE suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6) and reduced T helper (Th)2 cytokine IL-4 expression and/or secretion correlated with the downregulation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways in treated RBL-2H3 mast cells. In passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, treatment with BNE during IgE-mediated local allergic reaction triggered a reduction in mouse ear pigmentation and thickness. Taken together, these results indicated that BNE suppressed mast cell-mediated inflammation, suggesting that BNE might be a candidate for the treatment of various allergic disorders.

The Influence of Patient Safety Culture and Patient Safety Error Experience on Safety Nursing Activities of Emergency Nurses in South Korea.

INTRODUCTION: The unique nature of the space and environment of emergency departments is a threat to patient safety. Enhancing patient safety and minimizing safety-related issues are important tasks for ED health care staff. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among patient safety culture, patient safety error, and safety nursing activities of emergency nurses in South Korea. METHODS: A convenience sample of 200 emergency nurses working in 12 general hospitals in South Korea were surveyed for safety nursing activities using the Hospital Survey of Patients' Safety Culture, a 4-item questionnaire for patient safety error and ED safety management items in the Guidelines for Patient Safety (seventh revision). RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the potential factors associated with safety nursing activities were safety training experience (ß = 0.180, P=.01), organizational learning-continuous improvement (ß = 0.170, P=.04), age (ß = 0.160, P=.02), and implementation of domestic and foreign accreditation (ß = 0.147, P=.03). DISCUSSION: To improve patient safety, it is essential to identify problems in medical institutions, determine areas of improvement, and improve the organization's patient safety activity system on the basis of patient safety error experience reports. After training the emergency nurses for continuous improvement, the effect of patient safety activities must be analyzed.

Acute toxicity of bisphenol A and its structural analogues and transcriptional modulation of the ecdysone-mediated pathway in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a representative endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) that has estrogenic effects in aquatic animals. In recent years, due to the continuing usage of BPA, its analogues have been developed as alternative substances to replace its use. The molting process is a pivotal point in the development and reproduction of crustaceans. However, studies of the effects of EDCs on molting in crustaceans at the molecular level are scarce. In the present study, we examined the acute toxicity of BPA and its analogues bisphenol F (BPF) and S (BPS) to the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis. We further identified four ecdysteroid pathway - related genes (cyp314a1, EcRA, EcRB, and USP) in D. celebensis, and investigated the transcriptional modulation of these genes during molting and after exposure to BPA and its analogues for 48 h. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed that these four genes are highly conserved among arthropods and may be involved in development and reproduction in the adult stage. The mRNA expression patterns of cyp314a1, EcRA and USP were matched with the molting cycle, suggesting that these genes play a role in the molting process in the adult stage in cladocerans. Following relative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses, BPA and its analogues were found to modulate the expression of each of these four genes differently, indicating that these compounds can disrupt the normal endocrine system function of D. celebensis. This study improves our understanding of the molecular mode of action of BPA and its analogues in D. celebensis.

Evaluation of 4-nonylphenol and bisphenol A toxicity using multiple molecular biomarkers in the water flea Daphnia magna.

Alkylphenols are well-known endocrine disruptors and may cause developmental and reproductive disorders in aquatic organisms. Daphnia magna is commonly used in ecotoxicological studies as a promising model species to investigate the effects of endocrine distruptors. In the present study, transcriptional modulation of eleven potential molecular indicators related to detoxification, antioxidant, development, and cellular stress was analyzed in D. magna exposed to different concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) for 24 h and 48 h, using real-time qPCR. A hierarchical clustering analysis was applied to investigate relations among molecular markers depending on the compound, exposure duration, and concentration. Our findings suggested that GSH-related systems and stress proteins may be involved in cellular defense against BPA and 4-NP-mediated toxicity with different modes of action. Furthermore, these compounds may interrupt molting and reproduction in daphnids. In particular, D. magna GSH-related genes seem to be strongly affected by 4-NP exposure, indicating their potential as molecular biomarkers.

The suppressive effect of puerarin on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions through regulation of inflammatory mediators in vitro and in vivo.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the common inflammatory immune disorders. Puerarin is the main isoflavonoid obtained from the root of Pueraria lobata and has been known have ameliorative effects on diverse inflammatory diseases. However, the effects of puerarin on AD have not been uncovered. 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was used to induce atopic dermatitis(AD)-like skin lesions on BALB/c mice for 17 days. Further, the BALB/c mice were orally administered puerarin. Puerarin ameliorated DNCB-induced AD-like symptoms in the mice by regulating skin thickness, degranulation of mast cells, and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE). Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were also used to clarify the effects of puerarin on the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Puerarin inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective and alleviative effect of puerarin on AD in vitro and in vivo. The results in this study indicated that puerarin ameliorates AD-like skin lesion and skin inflammation via regulation of various atopic and inflammatory mediators. Therefore, puerarin might be useful in treating AD and other skin diseases.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Manganese(II)-Based Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid-Ethoxybenzyl Conjugate as a Highly Stable Hepatobiliary Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent.

In this study, we designed and synthesized a highly stable manganese (Mn2+)-based hepatobiliary complex by tethering an ethoxybenzyl (EOB) moiety with an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) coordination cage as an alternative to the well-established hepatobiliary gadolinium (Gd3+) chelates and evaluated its usage as a T1 hepatobiliary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent (CA). This new complex exhibits higher r1 relaxivity (2.3 mM-1 s-1) than clinically approved Mn2+-based hepatobiliary complex Mn-DPDP (1.6 mM-1 s-1) at 1.5 T. Mn-EDTA-EOB shows much higher kinetic inertness than that of clinically approved Gd3+-based hepatobiliary MRI CAs, such as Gd-DTPA-EOB and Gd-BOPTA. In addition, in vivo biodistribution and MRI enhancement patterns of this new Mn2+ chelate are comparable to those of Gd3+-based hepatobiliary MRI CAs. The diagnostic efficacy of the new complex was demonstrated by its enhanced tumor detection sensitivity in a liver cancer model using in vivo MRI.

Triticum aestivum Sprouts Extract Inhibits Azoymethane (AOM)/Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-Induced Colon Carcinogenesis in Mice.

Chronic intestinal inflammation is critical risk factor of colorectal cancer. Triticum aestivum sprouts have been reported to provide a number of health benefits and used as a dietary supplement. In this study, the authors investigated the regulatory effects of T. aestivum sprouts ethanol extract (TAEE) on experimental colorectal carcinogenesis in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model. Oral administration of TAEE significantly attenuated crypt destruction and tumor formation in AOM/DSS-treated mice. Levels of inflammatory mediators involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, that is, tumor necrosis factor-α, interkeukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase, were lower in the colons of 200 mg/kg TAEE-treated mice than in AOM/DSS controls (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that levels of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 and ß-catenin were attenuated by TAEE in the colon tissues of AOM/DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, levels of ß-catenin-related genes (cyclin D1 and c-Myc), which are known to contribute to cell cycle regulation, were decreased in the colon tissues of TAEE-treated mice versus AOM/DSS controls (p < 0.01). These results showed TAEE inhibited colon inflammation and neoplasm formation caused by AOM/DSS treatment, suggesting that TAEE could be useful for the prevention and treatment of colitis-associated colon cancer.

De novo transcriptome assembly of brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis based on short-term cadmium and benzo[a]pyrene exposure experiments.

To develop a brackish water flea as a promising model for marine monitoring, Diaphanosoma celebensis were exposed to two pollutants, cadmium (Cd) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), which have different chemical characteristics and distinct modes of metabolic action on aquatic animals. Twenty-four hours after exposure to Cd (2 mg/L) or BaP (25 µg/L), whole body transcriptomes were analyzed. In total, 99.6 Mbp were assembled from nine libraries, resulting in 98,458 transcripts with an N50 of 1883 bp and an average contig length of 968 bp. Functional gene annotations were performed using Gene Ontology, Eukaryotic Orthologous Groups, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. Cd significantly modulated endocrine and digestive enzyme system. Following BaP treatment, DNA repair and circadian rhythm related metabolisms were significantly modulated. Both the chemicals induced stress response and detoxification metabolism. This brackish water flea genomic information will be useful to monitor estuaries and coastal regions, as water fleas have been confirmed as promising sentinel models in freshwater ecosystems.

Antioxidant and skin-whitening effects of aerial part of Euphorbia supina Raf. Extract.

BACKGROUND: Euphorbia supina (ES) has been widely used in folk medicine owing to its antibacterial, hemostatic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and skin-whitening effects of a 70% ethanol extract of ES. METHODS: The aerial parts of ES plant were extracted with 70% ethanol. The viability of B16F10 cells was evaluated by MTT assay to determine the non-toxic doses for further experiments. The tyrosinase and cellular tyrosinase activities were then measured using an enzyme-substrate assay. In addition, the expression of whitening-related proteins was measured using western blot. RESULTS: The antioxidant activity of the ES samples increased in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by their radical scavenging activities in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays. The ES extract significantly reduced tyrosinase activity and melanin content in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it decreased α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)-induced protein expression of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the ES extract attenuated α-MSH-stimulated melanin synthesis by modulating tyrosinase and MITF expression. Therefore, the ES extract could be a promising therapeutic agent to treat hyperpigmentation and as an ingredient for skin-whitening cosmetics.

Inhibitory effects of Euphorbia supina on Propionibacterium acnes-induced skin inflammation in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Euphorbia supina (ES) plant has been used as treatment for inflammatory conditions. The antibacterial effect and the anti-inflammatory mechanism of ES for Propionibacterium (P.) acnes-induced inflammation in THP-1 cells and acne animal model remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of ES against P. acnes, the etiologic agent of skin inflammation. METHOD: The antibacterial activities of ES were tested with disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Cytotoxicity of ES at different doses was evaluated by the MTT assay. THP-1 cells were stimulated by heat-killed P. acnes in the presence of ES. The pro-inflammatory cytokines and mRNA levels were measured by ELISA and real-time-PCR. MAPK expression was analyzed by Western blot. The living P. acnes was intradermally injected into the ear of BLBC/c mice. Subsequently, chemical composition of ES was analyzed by liquids chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULT: ES had stronger antibacterial activity against P. acnes and inhibitory activity on lipase. ES had no significant cytotoxicity on THP-1 cells. ES suppressed the mRNA levels and production of IL-8, TNF-a, IL-1ß in vitro. ES inhibited the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the MAPK signaling pathway. Ear thickness and inflammatory cells were markedly reduced by ES treatment. Protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol were detected by LC-MS analysis in ES. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of ES extract against P. acnes. It is suggested that ES extract might be used to treatment anti-inflammatory skin disease.

Dissection of the HOG pathway activated by hydrogen peroxide in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Cells usually cope with oxidative stress by activating signal transduction pathways. In the budding yeast Sacchromyces cerevisiae, the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway has long been implicated in transducing the oxidative stress-induced signal, but the underlying mechanisms are not well defined. Based on phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Hog1, we reveal that the signal from hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) flows through Ssk1, the response regulator of the two-component system of the HOG pathway. Downstream signal transduction into the HOG MAPK cascade requires the MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) Ssk2 but not its paralog Ssk22 or another MAP3K Ste11 of the pathway, culminating in Hog1 phosphorylation via the MAP2K Pbs2. When overexpressed, Ssk2 is also activated in an Ssk1-independent manner. Unlike in mammals, H2 O2 does not cause endoplasmic reticulum stress, which can activate Hog1 through the conventional unfolded protein response. Hog1 activated by H2 O2 is retained in the cytoplasm, but is still able to activate the cAMP- or stress-responsive elements by unknown mechanisms.