Physically active undergraduates perform better on executive-related oculomotor control: Evidence from the antisaccade task and pupillometry.

Previous studies have shown that exercise can improve executive function in young and older adults. However, it remains controversial whether a sufficient amount of physical activity leads to higher-level executive function. To examine the effect of physical activity on executive function, we used eye-tracking technology and the antisaccade task in 41 young undergraduates with various levels of physical activity. Moreover, we also investigated their differences in cognitive ability by examining their pupil size during the antisaccade task. Eye-tracking results showed that physically active individuals showed shorter saccade latency and higher accuracy in the antisaccade task than their physically inactive counterparts. Furthermore, the former showed larger pupil size during the preparatory period of antisaccade. These findings suggest that individuals with higher-level physical activity have higher-level executive function. The larger pupil sizes of physically active individuals may imply that their locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system and executive-related prefrontal cortex are more active, which contributes to their higher-level cognitive ability.

Derp1-modified dendritic cells attenuate allergic inflammation by regulating the development of T helper type1(Th1)/Th2 cells and regulatory T cells in a murine model of allergic rhinitis.

The CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are known to regulate Th2-induced allergic rhinitis (AR). In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Derp1-modified dendritic cells (DCs) in AR immunotherapy. Derp1 was synthesized and transfected into DCs to generate Derp1-modified DCs. Phenotypes of Derp1-modified DCs were analyzed with flow cytometry using antibodies against DC markers CD11c, CD11b, CD59, CD103 and Toll-like receptor 1(TLR1). Four groups of subject mice were formed; the controls were treated with immature DCs, while the AR mice models were sensitized with Derp1(AR) and treated with DCs(DC-AR) or Derp1-modified DCs (Derp1DC-AR). The frequency of sneezing and scratching, eosinophil cell count, and Th1/Th2 ratio in the spleen were measured for all groups. The percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured using flow cytometry; serum IgE, IgG1, and histamine were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; expression levels of transcription factors T-bet, GATA3, Foxp3+ and IL-10 were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot used in analyzed expression of Foxp3+ and IL-10 in nasal mucosa. Treatment with Derp1-modified DCs ameliorated the allergic response. The Derp1DC-AR group had significantly lower eosinophil cell count and the IgE, IgG1, and histamine levels than the AR and DC-AR groups, and higher mRNA levels of Th1 transcription factors T-bet, IL-10 and Foxp3 in nasal mucosa than DC-AR mice, but Th2 transcription factors GATA3 mRNA expression level has the opposite results. Furthermore, the Th1/Th2 ratio and percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs was significantly lower in the AR group (p<0.05), but higher in the Derp1DC-AR group than in the control group (p<0.01). Thus, the Derp1-modified DCs increased the percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs and influenced the balance of Th1/Th2, showing an immunotherapeutic effect against AR.

Altered MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Activated Mast Cells Following IgE-FcεRI Cross-Linking with Antigen.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of immune responses and immunologic disorders. However, little is known about miRNA expression and function during mast cell differentiation, proliferation and activation. This study aimed to determine the miRNA expression profiles in mast cells stimulated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) and antigen and to analyze the potential functions of specific miRNAs. METHODS: Bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) generated from differentiated mouse bone marrow cells were untreated (Unstimu) or stimulated with IgE-antigen complexes for 1 h or 6 h (Stimu). The miRNA profiles were evaluated by miRNA microarray. MiRNA target gene prediction and enrichment analyses were performed using bioinformatics. RESULTS: Seven significantly up-regulated and 10 down-regulated miRNAs were identified in the 1 h Stimu group relative to the Unstimu group (fold change>2; P<0.05). Of 8 miRNAs randomly selected from the 17 identified, the expression levels of 6 were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The potential target genes of several candidate miRNAs were enriched in FcεRI signaling, response to stimulus and cellular exocytosis. CONCLUSION: The expression of many miRNAs changes following IgE-FcεRI cross-linking in activated mast cells, and these miRNAs probably play key regulatory roles in core signaling pathways and biological behaviors. Evaluating the functions of these characteristic miRNAs will further our understanding of IgE-associated allergic disease pathogenesis and the development of therapeutic strategies.

miR-143 inhibits interleukin-13-induced inflammatory cytokine and mucus production in nasal epithelial cells from allergic rhinitis patients by targeting IL13Rα1.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic inflammatory condition of the nasal mucosal tissue. The interleukin-13 (IL-13) signaling pathway is of great importance in the pathogenesis of AR. However, how the signaling molecules in this pathway are regulated, particularly through microRNAs (miRNAs), remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the regulatory role and mechanism of miRNA-143 (miR-143) in IL-13-induced inflammatory cytokine and mucus production in nasal epithelial cells (NECs) from AR patients. Our results showed that forced expression of miR-143 significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), eotaxin and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in IL-13-stimulated NECs. Moreover, we confirmed that miR-143 directly targeted and significantly suppressed IL-13 receptor α1 chain (IL13Rα1) gene expression. This study thus suggests that miR-143 regulation of IL-13-induced inflammatory cytokine and mucus production in NECs from AR patients probably partly depends on inhibition of IL13Rα1. Therefore, the IL13Rα1 signaling pathway may be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of AR by miR-143.

[The influence of heat treatment on retention force of magnetic attachments].

PURPOSE: To study the influence of heat treatment on retention force of magnetic attachments. METHODS: Three groups of magnetic attachments (including 10 Magfit EX 400W, 10 Magfit EX 600W, 10 Magfit EX 800W) were fixed on universal test machine respectively. The retention force of each attachment was measured. After heat treatment, their retention force was measured again. The difference of retention force before and after heat treatment was compared using SPSS11.0 software package. RESULTS: The average retention force of magnetic attachments (Magfit EX 400W) was (1.58±0.12)N before heat treatment and (1.64±0.11)N after heat treatment. The average retention force of magnetic attachments (Magfit EX 600W) was (2.67±0.19)N before heat treatment and (2.65±0.14)N after heat treatment.The average retention force of magnetic attachments (Magfit EX 800W) was (3.02±0.25)N before heat treatment and (3.02±0.24)N after heat treatment. The retention force of magnetic attachments had no significant change after heat treatment (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The magnetic attachments can be treated by waterbath heart treatment in the clinic without significant change of their retention force.

[Efficacy of a dentifrice containing 5% potassium nitrate on dental hypersensitivity].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a dentifrice containing 5% potassium nitrate (test) on dental hypersensitivity compared with the fluoride dentifrice (control) over a 4-week period. METHODS: The study design was a randomized ,double-blinded ,controlled clinical trial. 63 subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 31 were given a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice (experimental group) and the other 32 given a fluoride dentifrice (control group). Both groups were instructed to brush their teeth twice a day. An air blast stimulus was used to measure the degree of pain using a VAS scale. The data were analysed by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon-test with SPSS13.0 software package. RESULTS: The VAS (baseline=68.29±8.263, 4-week=31.71±6.378) was significantly reduced over the 4 weeks period in the experimental group (P<0.05). After 4 weeks, VAS in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that the dentifrice containing 5% potassium nitrate effectively reduces dental hypersensitivity.