Registro de linfomas cutáneos primarios de la AEDV: primer año de funcionamiento / The First Year of the AEVD Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: Los linfomas primarios cutáneos son enfermedades poco frecuentes. Este artículo describe el Registro de linfomas cutáneos primarios de la AEDV y sus primeros resultados. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Registro de enfermedad de pacientes con linfomas cutáneos primarios. Los centros participantes recogieron datos prospectivamente de todos los pacientes, incluyendo datos del diagnóstico, de los tratamientos, de las pruebas realizadas y del estado actual del paciente. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo. RESULTADOS: En diciembre del 2017 el registro tenía datos de 639 pacientes pertenecientes a 16 hospitales universitarios. Un 60% eran hombres y los diagnósticos, por orden de frecuencia, fueron: micosis fungoide/síndrome de Sézary (MF/SS) (348 casos; 55%), linfoma cutáneo primario de células B (LCCB) (184; 29%), trastorno linfoproliferativo de células T CD30+ (LTCD30+) (70; 11%) y otro tipo de linfoma T (OLT) (37; 5%). El número de casos incidentes recogidos durante el primer año fue de 105 (16,5%). En los pacientes con MF/SS, el diagnóstico más frecuente fue MF clásica (77,3%). La mitad de estos casos se diagnosticaron en estadio IA. La mayoría de los pacientes estaban en remisión parcial (32,5%) o enfermedad estable (33,1%). Los tratamientos más usados fueron los corticoides tópicos (90,8%) seguidos de fototerapia. En los pacientes con LCCB el diagnóstico más frecuente fue el linfoma de la zona marginal (50%). Casi todos los pacientes tuvieron afectación exclusivamente cutánea y casi la mitad fue T1a. La mayoría (76,1%) estaba en remisión completa. Los tratamientos más utilizados fueron la cirugía (55,4%) y la radioterapia (41,9%). En los pacientes con LTCD30+, el diagnóstico más frecuente fue la papulosis linfomatoide (68,6%). La mayoría fueron clasificados T3b (31,4%). La mitad de los casos estaban en remisión completa. Los tratamientos más frecuentes fueron los esteroides tópicos (68,6%), seguidos de la quimioterapia sistémica (32,9%). CONCLUSIÓN: Las características del paciente con linfoma cutáneo primario en España no difieren de otras series descritas en la literatura. El registro facilitará al grupo de linfomas de la AEDV realizar investigación clínica

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Primary cutaneous lymphomas are uncommon. This article describes the Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) and reports on the results from the first year. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Disease registry for patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma. The participating hospitals prospectively recorded data on diagnosis, treatment, tests, and disease stage for all patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: In December 2017, the registry contained data on 639 patients (60% male) from 16 university hospitals. The most common diagnoses, in order of frequency, were mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome (MF/SS) (348 cases, 55%), primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) (184 cases, 29%), primary cutaneous CD30+ T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (CD30+ CLPD) (70 cases, 11%), and other types of T-cell lymphoma (37 cases, 5%). In total, 105 (16.5%) of the cases recorded were incident cases. The most common diagnosis in the MF/SS group was classic MF (77.3%). Half of the patients with MF had stage IA disease when diagnosed, and the majority were either in partial remission (32.5%) or had stable disease (33.1%). The most widely used treatments were topical coricosteroids (90.8%) and phototherapy. The most common form of primary CBCL was marginal zone lymphoma (50%). Almost all of the patients had cutaneous involvement only and nearly half had stage T1a disease. Most (76.1%) were in complete remission. The main treatments were surgery (55.4%) and radiotherapy (41.9%). The most common diagnosis in patients with CD30+ CLPD was lymphomatoid papulosis (68.8%). Most of the patients (31.4%) had stage T3b disease and half were in complete remission. The most common treatments were topical corticosteroids (68.8%) and systemic chemotherapy (32.9%). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma in Spain do not differ from those described in other series in the literature. The registry will facilitate clinical research by the AEDV's lymphoma group

The First Year of the AEVD Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry. / Registro de linfomas cutáneos primarios de la AEDV: primer año de funcionamiento.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Primary cutaneous lymphomas are uncommon. This article describes the Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) and reports on the results from the first year. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Disease registry for patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma. The participating hospitals prospectively recorded data on diagnosis, treatment, tests, and disease stage for all patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: In December 2017, the registry contained data on 639 patients (60% male) from 16 university hospitals. The most common diagnoses, in order of frequency, were mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome (MF/SS) (348 cases, 55%), primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) (184 cases, 29%), primary cutaneous CD30+ T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (CD30+ CLPD) (70 cases, 11%), and other types of T-cell lymphoma (37 cases, 5%). In total, 105 (16.5%) of the cases recorded were incident cases. The most common diagnosis in the MF/SS group was classic MF (77.3%). Half of the patients with MF had stage IA disease when diagnosed, and the majority were either in partial remission (32.5%) or had stable disease (33.1%). The most widely used treatments were topical corticosteroids (90.8%) and phototherapy. The most common form of primary CBCL was marginal zone lymphoma (50%). Almost all of the patients had cutaneous involvement only and nearly half had stage T1a disease. Most (76.1%) were in complete remission. The main treatments were surgery (55.4%) and radiotherapy (41.9%). The most common diagnosis in patients with CD30+ CLPD was lymphomatoid papulosis (68.8%). Most of the patients (31.4%) had stage T3b disease and half were in complete remission. The most common treatments were topical corticosteroids (68.8%) and systemic chemotherapy (32.9%). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma in Spain do not differ from those described in other series in the literature. The registry will facilitate clinical research by the AEDV's lymphoma group.

Antimelanogenic effects of luteolin 7-sulfate isolated from Phyllospadix iwatensis Makino.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal deposition of melanin may cause an aesthetic skin problem; therefore, the control of unwanted excessive melanin synthesis is the major goal of cosmetic research. OBJECTIVES: To identify novel tyrosinase (TYR) inhibitors from marine plants and examine their cellular antimelanogenic effects. METHODS: The extracts of 50 marine plants endemic to Korea were screened against human TYR. Active constituents were then isolated from the selected plant extracts that showed potential and their chemical structures elucidated. Furthermore, their antimelanogenic effects were examined using murine melanoma B16/F10 cells and human epidermal melanocytes (HEM). RESULTS: Among the tested extracts, that of Phyllospadix iwatensis Makino exhibited the strongest human TYR inhibitory activity. The active constituents were purified from the butanol fraction of the P. iwatensis extract and identified as hispidulin 7-sulfate and luteolin 7-sulfate. Luteolin 7-sulfate inhibited human TYR more strongly than hispidulin 7-sulfate, luteolin, hispidulin and arbutin. Furthermore, luteolin 7-sulfate showed lower cytotoxicity than luteolin in both B16/F10 cells and HEM. Luteolin 7-sulfate attenuated cellular melanin synthesis more effectively in B16/F10 cells and HEM stimulated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and l-tyrosine than arbutin. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that luteolin 7-sulfate isolated from P. iwatensis is a human TYR inhibitor with advantageous antimelanogenic properties, and would be useful for development as a therapeutic agent for the control of unwanted skin pigmentation.

Improving acne keloidalis nuchae with targeted ultraviolet B treatment: a prospective, randomized, split-scalp comparison study.

BACKGROUND: Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is a chronic scarring folliculitis with fibrotic papules on the occipital scalp. Its treatment is limited and unsatisfactory. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether targeted ultraviolet B (tUVB) phototherapy will (i) improve the clinical appearance of AKN and (ii) induce extracellular matrix remodelling in affected lesions. METHODS: Eleven patients with AKN were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, split-scalp comparison study. One randomly selected side of the scalp was treated with tUVB up to three times weekly for 8 weeks. After week 8, both sides were treated for eight additional weeks. Assessment included lesion counts in two 3 × 3-cm regions of interest (ROIs), one on each side of the scalp (ROI-1: tUVB weeks 0-16, ROI-2: tUVB weeks 9-16), patient self-assessment and analysis of MMP1, MMP9, TGFB1 and COL1A1 mRNA expression by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Before treatment, the mean lesion count was similar between tUVB-treated and untreated sides (14·8 vs. 15·0). After 8 weeks of tUVB, the mean lesion count decreased significantly to 9·4 ± 1·2 (P =  0·03), with no change on the untreated side. With continued treatment, the mean lesion count in ROI-1 decreased further to 7 ± 1·5 (P = 0·04) after 16 weeks of tUVB. CONCLUSIONS: tUVB significantly improved the clinical appearance of AKN, led to patient satisfaction and was well tolerated.

The differential profiles of withdrawal symptoms induced by morphine and beta-endorphin administered intracerebroventricularly in mice.

In the present study, withdrawal symptoms induced by morphine or ß-endorphin administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) were compared in ICR mice. Naloxone (10mg/kg) was post-treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) 3h after either a single or repeated (1 time/day for 3 days) i.c.v. injections with opioids. Withdrawal symptoms such as jumping frequency, diarrhea, weight loss, rearing, penile licking and paw tremor were observed for 30 min immediately after naloxone treatment. Withdrawal symptoms (jumping, diarrhea, weight loss, rearing, penile licking and paw tremor) observed in the group treated with morphine was persistently increased during 3 days. On the other hand, withdrawal symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss and rearing in ß-endorphin-treated group were increased after a single injection with ß-endorphin, but gradually decreased after the repeated injection. Furthermore, no jumping behavior, penile licking and paw tremor in ß-endorphin-treated group were observed throughout the whole period of time. In addition, the hypothalamic changes of several signal molecules such as pERK, pCaMK-IIα, c-FOS and pCREB expression were observed during the presence or absence of withdrawal responses induced by morphine or ß-endorphin administered once or repeatedly. Both hypothalamic pCaMK-IIα and c-FOS expressions were increased by naloxone treatment in acutely administered morphine group, whereas only pCaMK-IIα expression was elevated by naloxone treatment in repeatedly administered morphine group. In contrast with the findings in morphine-treated group, only pCaMK-IIα expression was decreased by naloxone treatment in repeatedly administered ß-endorphin group. Our results suggest that profiles of the withdrawal symptoms induced by morphine and ß-endorphin administered supraspinally appear to be differentially regulated. The pCaMK-IIα and the c-FOS protein expression may play important roles for the regulation of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms such as jumping, diarrhea, weight loss, rearing, penile licking and paw tremor induced by morphine-treated group, whereas the phosphorylation of hypothalamic pCaMK-IIα appears to be involved only in the regulation of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss and rearing in ß-endorphin-treated group.

Vitamin C increases the fecal fat excretion by chitosan in guinea-pigs, thereby reducing body weight gain.

The aims of this study were to investigate the antiobesity properties of chitosan on its own, as well as in the presence of vitamin C, in vivo. Hartley guinea-pigs were divided into Control (normal diet), F-control (high fat diet), Chitosan (high fat diet with 5.0% chitosan) and Chito-vit C (high fat diet with 5.0% chitosan containing 0.5% vitamin C) groups, respectively. The effects of chitosan, both alone and in the presence of vitamin C, on body weight, total fecal weight, fecal composition and plasma lipid level were studied for 5 weeks. The results of this study indicated that the fat-binding and water-holding capacity of chitosan might decrease body weight by reducing the absorption of cholesterol and fat, subsequently increasing total fecal weight, fecal fat excretion and fecal water excretion. Vitamin C increased the fecal fat excretion by chitosan in guinea-pigs, thereby reducing body weight gain.

Intense pulsed light vs. pulsed-dye laser in the treatment of facial acne: a randomized split-face trial.

BACKGROUND: Various laser and light therapy have been increasingly used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with facial acne were treated using intense pulsed light (IPL) on one side of the face and pulsed dye laser (PDL) on the other to compare the efficacy and safety of IPL and PDL. Treatment was performed 4 times at 2-week intervals. Treatment effectiveness was determined using lesion counts, acne severity, patient subjective self-assessments of improvement, and histopathological examinations, which included immunohistochemical staining for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). RESULTS: Numbers of total acne lesions decreased following both treatments. For inflammatory lesions such as papules, pustules and nodules, IPL-treated sides showed an earlier and more profound improvement than PDL-treated sides. However, at 8 weeks after the 4th treatment, a rebound aggravation of acne was observed on IPL-treated sides. On the contrary, PDL produced gradual improvements during the treatment sessions and these improvements lasted 8 weeks after the 4th treatment. Non-inflammatory lesions as open and closed comedones also showed improvement following both treatments and PDL-treated sides showed better improvement as the study proceeded. Histopathological examinations showed amelioration in inflammatory reactions and an increase in TGF-beta expression after both treatments, which were more prominent for PDL-treated sides. CONCLUSION: Both PDL and IPL were found to treat acne effectively, but PDL showed a more sustained effect. TGF-beta might play a key role in the resolution of inflammatory acne lesions.

Effects of a 2-, 3- and 4-electrode stimulator design on current dispersion on the surface and into the limb during electrical stimulation in controls and patients with wounds.

Electrical stimulation is a widely used modality in the field of physical therapy and exercise physiology. The most common method for the application of electrical stimulation is a two-electrode system where one electrode is the source and the other is a reference. However, recent studies report that a more effective delivery system can be achieved if more than two electrodes are used. In the present investigation, the circuitry to deliver electrical stimulation through a 2-, 3- or 4-electrode delivery system was designed. The system was evaluated by its ability to deliver current on the surface of the skin as well as deep into the quadriceps muscle in six control subjects and in and around wounds in six other subjects. The results of the experiments showed that much better depth of penetration was achieved in a 4-electrode system (one electrode was on the opposite side of the limb and three electrodes were on top of the limb) than in either a 2- or a 3-electrode delivery system. In non-wounded skin, given the same current from the stimulator, the current in the quadriceps muscle was found to be double with a 4-electrode versus a 2-electrode system. In wounds, this same finding was seen. Here, blood flow, an indicator of the effectiveness of electrical stimulation in wounds, was three times higher if a multi-channel stimulator was used versus a 2-channel stimulator. Thus a multi-channel electrical stimulation system is more effective than a 2-electrode system.

Appetite suppressive effects of yeast hydrolysate on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) immunoreactivity in hypothalamus.

To investigate the effects of yeast hydrolysate on appetite regulation mechanisms in the central nervous system, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) of the hypothalamus were examined. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to five groups: control (normal diet), BY-1 and BY-2 (normal diet with oral administration of 0.1 g and 1.0 g of yeast hydrolysate <10 kDa/kg body weight, respectively), AY-1 and AY-2 (normal diet with oral administration of 0.1 g and 1.0 g of yeast hydrolysate 10-30 kDa/kg body weight, respectively). The body weight gain in the BY groups was less than that in the control. In particular, the weight gain of the BY-2 group (133.0 +/- 5.1 g) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the control group (150.1 +/- 3.7 g). Among the test groups, the BY-2 group was shown to have significantly lower triacylglycerol (TG) levels (p < 0.05) than the other groups. The staining intensities and optical densities of NOS neurons in the PVN of the AY group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the control and BY groups. The staining intensities and optical densities of VIP immunoreactivity in the PVN and VMH of the BY groups were higher than those of the AY groups and the control. In conclusion, these results indicated that yeast hydrolysate of <10 kDa reduced the body weight gain and body fat in normal diet-fed rats and increased the lipid energy metabolism by altering the expression of NOS and VIP in neurons.

A multi-channel stimulator and electrode array providing a rotating current whirlpool for electrical stimulation of wounds.

When electrical stimulation is used on wounds, the electrical current has difficulty penetrating areas where there is necrotic tissue. Further, for an irregularly shaped wound, current distribution is poor in some areas of the wound since conventional two-electrode delivery systems provide the greatest current in a line directly between the electrodes. A new stimulator and electrode system is described which uses three electrodes spaced around a wound to disperse current more evenly. The stimulator senses tissue impedance and then redirects current by altering its Thevenin's output impedance for each electrode; each of the three electrodes becomes the active one in sequence while the remaining are the sink electrodes. Eight subjects were examined to test the stimulator. Electrical stimulation was applied to the skin above the quadriceps muscle at currents of 15 mA in six subjects without wounds and in two subjects with wounds. The relationship between electrode position and current dispersion on the skin was examined with a two-electrode vs. a three-electrode system to set stimulation parameters for the computer. The results showed that the three-electrode system could (1) detect areas of the skin with high impedance; (2) compensate by altering the Thevenin's output impedance at each of the three electrodes to shift current to high impedance areas; (3) provide uniform current across the skin as assessed by skin current and blood flow measurements with a laser Doppler flow imager.

Hypolipidemic effect of lactobacillus ferment as a functional food supplement.

The Lactobacillus ferment used in this study was composed of Lactobacillus fermented wheat, barley and kefir grains. Fermentation increased the CFU of lactic acid bacteria with a reduction in pH value and in the contents of dietary fi ber and glucan. Male SD rats were fed a high fat diet with or without 10% Lactobacillus ferment for 4 weeks. In the Lactic-F group (group fed high-fat diet with Lactobacillus ferment) there was a significantly reduced increase of body weight compared with the HF-control (group fed high-fat diet without Lactobacillus ferment). The food efficiency ratio (FER) tended to be decreased in the Lactic-F group, but there was no significant difference between the Lactic-F and HF-control groups. The perirenal and the epididymal fat weights in the normal dietary group (control) and in the Lactic-F group were significantly lower than those of the HF-control. The serum HDL-cholesterol and the total cholesterol in the Lactic-F group were similar to the control group, and were significantly different from those of the HF-control. These results indicated that the Lactobacillus ferment is a functional material having antiobesity effects, with use as a supplement in functional, health-favoring food.

Yeast hydrolysate reduces body fat of dietary obese rats.

The purpose of this study was to assess the antiobesity effect of the yeast hydrolysate (DNF) on the body weight, body fat and plasma lipids levels of high-fat fed rats. The weight gain of the HF (high fat diet) (162.58 +/- 6.68 g) was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that of DNF-1, DNF-2, (high fat diet with DNF of 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg body weight, respectively) and control groups (143.19 +/- 7.33 g, 139.20 +/- 8.36 g, 130.23 +/- 8.02 g, respectively). The wet weight of the epididymal fat and the perirenal fat pads of the DNF-1, DNF-2 and control groups were reduced significantly (p < 0.05). A significant (p < 0.05) increase of HDL-cholesterol level of the DNF-2 and control groups was observed. However, there was no significant difference between DNF-1 and DNF-2. It was also found that the triacylglycerol (TG) levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the DNF-2 group from that of the HF, but there was no significant (p < 0.05) difference between DNF-1 and DNF-2.

Pharmacological effects of fermented red pepper.

The pharmacological effects were investigated of fermented red pepper (HF-S), which consisted of 14.7% carbohydrate, 1.5% lipid, 4.9% protein, 0.3% ash, 78.2% moisture content, with 0.15% capsaicin and 0.06% dihydrocapsaicin. Oral administration of 0.25 mL HF-S for 3 weeks produced significant changes of the perirenal fat pad weight compared with the HF-control group, suggesting a suppressive effect on lipid accumulation and a significant decrease in the risk of arteriosclerosis. The HF-S (0.25 mL) group also showed a lower plasma TG, TC level and atherogenic index than that of the HF-control. In addition, the HF-S (0.25 mL) group showed a marked increase in the production of glutathione, which is the major endogenous antioxidant, and a decrease in the production of lipid peroxide as the product of chemical damage by oxygen free radicals. It is assumed that the effect of HF-S might relate to high glutathione production on the suppression of lipid peroxidation. HF-S stimulated not only the proliferation of macrophages (as high as the positive control, LPS at 1000 microg/mL) but also mitogenic activity (1.2-fold of LPS at 100 microg/mL).

Design and characterization of an intracavitary ultrasound hyperthermia applicator for recurrent or residual lesions in the vaginal cuff.

For evaluating the feasibility of treating recurrent lesions in the vaginal cuff by hyperthermia, a 2-element ultrasound applicator was designed, constructed and characterized. A half-cylindrical transducer (d=1 cm, length=1 cm) was used to construct the 2-element ultrasound applicator. Each element of this applicator was operated at 1.5 MHz and characterized by measuring transducer efficiency and acoustic power distribution. Thermocouple probes were used to measure the temperature rise in the phantom. The element sizes used in this study were selected to be comparable to a high dose rate brachytherapy colpostat applicator. Each element was powered separately to achieve a desired temperature pattern in a target. The acoustic output power as a function of applied electric power of elements 1 and 2 were linear over this 1-40 W range and efficiencies were 32.2 +/- 3.4% and 46.2 +/- 0.8%, respectively. The temperature measurements in the phantom showed that a 6 degrees C temperature rise was achieved 2 cm from the applicator surface. As a conclusion, the ability of the ultrasound colpostat applicator to be used for hyperthermia was demonstrated by measuring acoustic output power, ultrasound field distribution and temperature rise in the phantom. Based on the characteristics of this applicator, it has the potential to be useful for inducing hyperthermia to the vaginal cuff in the clinic.

Pharmacological activities of stromata of Cordyceps scarabaecola.

The chemical components of freeze-dried stromata from Cordyceps scarabaecola were examined. The stromata consisted of crude carbohydrates (55.1%) and crude proteins (14.2%). The stromata were also composed of a low content of crude ash (6.6%) and fat (1.5%). The composition of the carbohydrate in the stromata included a large quantity of glucose (46.6%), mannose (35.4%) and galactose (18.0%). The acidic amino acids such as glutamic acid (32.1 mg/g) and aspartic acid (24.7 mg/g) were present in a large quantity. The extracts of stromata did not reveal any inhibitory activity for AChE in vitro. It was observed that a hot-water extract (HW) of the stromata contributed significantly to the anticoagulant activity (60 s coagulating time) and anticomplementary activity (62% of ITCH50 value). The MeOH-soluble fraction (M) from the freeze-dried stromata inhibited TPA-induced O2- generation as effectively as the positive control, genistine 27%. The hot-water extract (HW) showed the most potent intestinal immune system modulation activity and the MeOH-soluble fraction (M) had intermediate activity.

Protective effects of green tea polyphenol against reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat calvarial osteoblast.

The injurious effects of reactive oxygen species on osteoblasts and the potential protective role played by green tea polyphenols (GtPP) were investigated using primarily cultured rat calvarial osteoblasts. Oxidative stress was induced in cultured osteoblasts, either by adding 100 mmol/L H2O2 or by the action of 40 U/L xanthine oxidase (XO) in the presence of xanthine (250 micromol/L). After incubation, the cellular viability, function and morphology were evaluated. Both treatments produced a significant reduction in osteoblast viability, as assessed by a two-colored fluorescence staining method combined with flow cytometric analysis and MTT assay. A significant reduction in the alkaline phosphatase activity was observed after H2O2 addition, whereas XO did not have the same effect. On the microscopic observations, the morphological changes and intracellular ultrastructural damages were remarkably induced by both treatments. The H2O2-induced alterations were prevented by pre-incubating the osteoblasts with 200 microg/ml GtPP for 1 h. When the oxidative stress was induced by XO, the cellular viability and morphology was also maintained at the same polyphenol concentration. These results demonstrate that GtPP can act as a biological antioxidant in a cell culture experimental model and protect cells from oxidative stress-induced toxicity.

Anti-stress and anti-fatigue effect of fermented rice bran.

The anti-stress and anti-fatigue effects of a hot water extract of fermented rice bran (FRB) were investigated with Saccharomyces cerevisae IFO 2346 on rats or mice. Oral administration (1 g/kg/day) of a hot water extract of FRB inhibited major changes in weight of the adrenal, thymus, spleen and thyroid, showing the anti-stress effect. A hot water extract of FRB also inhibited the increase of GPT and LDH activity, cholesterol and serum glucose levels. Administration (1 g/kg/day) for 2 weeks significantly prolonged the swimming time, resulting in an increase of the anti-fatigue effect. From these results, it can be considered that FRB has an anti-stress and anti-fatigue effect.

Cytological observation of two environmental genic male-sterile lines of rice.

We report here two environmental genic male-sterilities (EGMS) in rice. These two EGMS rice lines, thermo-sensitive genic male-sterility (TGMS) and photoperiod-sensitive genic male-sterility (PGMS), are controlled by temperature and photoperiod, respectively, in determining their male-sterility. Male-sterility of the TGMS and PGMS was found to be induced when they were grown at 32 degrees C/26 degrees C (day/night) with 14 h daylight, while they were fertile at 26 degrees C/20 degrees C (day/night) with 10 h daylight in a growth chamber. We also examined their anther structures under a light microscope. The light microscopic observation revealed that the EGMS lines showed a complete pollen abortion at the sterile growth condition while they produced normal fertile pollens at the fertile growth condition.

Calcification of leaflets from porcine aortic valves crosslinked by ultraviolet irradiation.

Glutaraldehyde (GA)-pretreated porcine aortic valves are generally used as a bioprosthetic valve, but gradual calcification of the leaflets often occurs. It has been hypothesized that the crosslinking agent, GA, stabilizes and perhaps modifies phosphorus-rich calcifiable structures in the bioprosthetic tissue. This is supported by our findings that calcium deposition is induced rapidly in GA-pretreated leaflets in comparison with ultraviolet (UV) irradiated leaflets. After 3 days of in vitro calcification test, calcium levels were 257.6 +/- 23.5 microg/cm3 in GA-pretreated, 57.7 +/- 10.2 microg/cm3 in the control, and 108.6 +/- 7.6 microg/cm3 in 24 h UV irradiated leaflets. The calcium level in all test groups increased as time proceeds and the calcium level of GA-pretreated leaflets was significantly higher than the control and UV irradiated leaflets during test. This rapid calcium deposition on the GA-pretreated leaflets may be due to residual aldehyde groups after pretreatment. The exposure time of UV irradiation was not significantly correlated with the extent of calcification. After 14 days of the test, calcium levels in leaflets UV irradiated for 1, 2, 4, and 24 h were 502.6 +/- 12.3 microg/cm3, 547.5 +/- 34.1 microg/cm3, 564.3 +/- 26.1 microg/cm3, and 543.0 +/- 55.5 microg/cm3. In all test groups, [Ca]/[P] molar ratio decreased toward that of hydroxyapatite as the predominant mineral phase as time proceeds. This study suggests that UV irradiation can be considerable as an efficient crosslinking method to surmount the side effects induced by GA-pretreatment and may endow tissue with mechanical property.

Modulatory role of ginsenosides injected intrathecally or intracerebroventricularly in the production of antinociception induced by kappa-opioid receptor agonist administered intracerebroventricularly in the mouse.

We examined the effects of ginseng total saponin and several ginsenosides injected intrathecally (i.t.) or intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) on the antinociception induced by U50, 488H (trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2- (1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benzeocetamide; a kappa opioid receptor agonist) administered i.c.v. The tail-flick test was used as an analgesic assay. Total saponin fraction at doses of 0.1 to 20 micrograms, which when administered intrathecally (i.t.) or intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) alone did not affect the latencies of tail-flick threshold, attenuated dose-dependently the inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by U50, 488H (60 micrograms) administered i.c.v. The duration of antagonistic action of total saponin fraction against U50, 488H-induced antinociception lasted at least for 6 h. Various doses (from 0.1 to 1 microgram) of ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, and Rg1, but not Re, injected i.t. dose-dependently attenuated antinociception induced by U50, 488H administered i.c.v. Furthermore, various doses (from 1 to 10 micrograms) of ginsenosides Rb2 and Re, but not Rb1, Rc, Rd, and Rg1, injected i.c.v. dose-dependently attenuated antinociception induced by U50, 488H administered i.c.v. In summary, ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, and Rg1 administered spinally appear to be responsible for blocking the antinociception induced by U50, 488H administered supraspinally, whereas ginsenosides Rb2 and Re administered supraspinally appear to be responsible for blocking the antinociception induced by U50, 488H administered supraspinally.