High energy dissipation-based process to improve the rheological properties of bentonite drilling muds by reducing the particle size.

Drilling mud is a multi-phase fluid that is used in the petroleum drilling process. Bentonite is the most important constituent of drilling mud; it endows the drilling mud with its rheological behaviors, such as viscosity, yield stress, and shear thinning. The process of manufacturing microscale bentonite at the nanoscale level is very promising for commercializing nano-based drilling mud. In contrast to the conventional method using the impeller, bentonite was manufactured in its nanoparticle state in the present work through ultrasonic and homogenizer processes in the solution state. In case of the ultrasonic process, the viscosity increase in the low shear rate region before and after processing of the 5 wt% bentonite-based mud and the rheological properties in the presence of polymer additive were compared. In case of the homogenizer process, the rheological properties of 3 wt% bentonite-based mud employed through the homogenizer process and 5 wt% mud prepared generally were compared. Both processes reported improvement of rheological properties, in which shear thinning behavior strongly occurred when particle size decreased through FE-SEM, TEM image analysis, and particle size analyzer. A regularized Herschel-Bulkley model suitable for rheological quantitative explanation of drilling mud including yield stress was selected. The homogenizer process has the potential to be applied in the petroleum drilling industry for large-scale production, and the mechanism was confirmed by numerical analyses. In conclusion, we presented a simple and easy-to-apply process to rapidly produce nano-based drilling mud.

Stability of valeriana-type iridoid glycosides from rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi and their protection against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells.

Nardostachys jatamansi is close to Valerian in consideration of their same psychoactive effects, such as sedation and neuroprotection. Valeriana-type iridoids are major active components of Valerian, but few valeriana-type iridoids have been isolated from N. jatamansi. Iridoid-targeting chemical investigation of the rhizomes of N. jatamansi resulted in the isolation of seven valeriana-type iridoid glycosides, four of which are previously undescribed. Their structures were determined through NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and optical rotation experiments. In addition, the inaccurate configurations of patrinalloside and 6″-acetylpatrinalloside from previous reports were corrected. These compounds, unstable due to alcoholic solvents, were more stable in the mixtures than in purified forms, as monitored by the qNMR method, supporting the use of natural products as mixtures. Furthermore, the isolates, as well as crude and solvent partition extracts, were found to have a protective effect against hydrogen-peroxide-induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma cells, as confirmed by assays for cell viability and antioxidation. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic application of the valeriana-type iridoid glycosides isolated herein with improved biochemical stability.

Efficacy of a Horticultural Therapy Program Designed for Emotional Stability and Career Exploration among Adolescents in Juvenile Detention Centers.

We aimed to develop a horticultural therapy program to prepare adolescents at the Dae san juvenile detention center (D-JDC) for their return to society. The effects of the program on emotional stability and career exploration were investigated. Adolescents who wished to participate in the horticultural therapy program were recruited from the D-JDC. Data were collected using various questionnaires before and after the program was implemented. Thirty-five (mean age, 15.74 ± 1.65 years; 11 males, 24 females) students were enrolled. The program mainly consisted of plant cultivation activities, such as seeding, transplanting plants, cutting, harvesting, and post-harvest utilization. To evaluate emotional health, the ego-resiliency scale was used. To evaluate social behavior, the inventory of parent and peer attachment, peer attachment scale, and social skills scale were used. Career exploration was assessed using the career preparation behavior scale and the career decision-making self-efficacy-short form. Peer attachment, social skills, and career preparation behavior showed significant improvements after the program, with the students responding positively in the post-program surveys. Our horticultural therapy program helped improve the career exploration and social skills of D-JDC students and positively affected their emotional stability. Based on our findings, horticultural therapy can be used as a correctional program for adolescents in D-JDC to help them return to society.

A combination of Olea europaea leaf extract and Spirodela polyrhiza extract alleviates atopic dermatitis by modulating immune balance and skin barrier function in a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-induced murine model.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in humans. Although Olea europaea leaf extract (OLE) and Spirodela polyrhiza extract (SPE) have been used to protect against skin damage, the effects of their combined administration on atopic dermatitis have yet to studied. PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of an OLE and SPE combination on the progression of atopic dermatitis and the possible mechanisms underlying these effects in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-treated NC/Nga mice. METHODS: Atopic dermatitis was induced by topical application of 0.2% w/v DNCB prepared in an olive oil:acetone solution (1:3), and thereafter OLE, SPE and OLE + SPE were administered orally for 5 weeks. We determined atopic dermatitis symptoms, serum IgE levels, and levels of cytokine- and gene expression in the dorsal skin and splenocytes, and performed histological and immune cell subtype analyses. The expression of skin barrier-related proteins (filaggrin, sirtuin 1, and claudin 1) was also evaluated. RESULTS: The OLE + SPE combination significantly ameliorated atopic dermatitis symptoms, including dermatitis scores, and reduced epidermal thickness and infiltration of different inflammatory cells in mice with DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis. It also significantly reduced the number of CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD69+ T cells; immunoglobulin E-producing B cells (CD23+/B220+) in the axillary lymph nodes; CD3+ T-cell eosinophils (chemokine-chemokine receptor 3+/CD11b+) in the skin; and CD3+ T cells, immunoglobulin E-producing B cells (CD23+/B220+), and eosinophils in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Additionally, the experimental combination lowered levels of serum immunoglobulin E and histamine, as well as Th2-mediated cytokines, and interleukin-4, -5, and -13, whereas it increased the levels of Th1-mediated cytokine interferon-γ in splenocytes. Furthermore, the preparation significantly restored expression of the skin barrier-related proteins filaggrin, sirtuin 1, and claudin 1, and also reduced the expression of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and chemokine-chemokine receptor 3, as well as the pruritus-related cytokine interleukin-31 and interleukin-31 receptor, in atopic dermatitis skin lesions. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings indicate that administration of a combination of OLE and SPE can alleviate atopic dermatitis symptoms by regulating immune balance and skin barrier function and may be an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Impact of Telemedicine on Patient Satisfaction and Perceptions of Care Quality in Radiation Oncology.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed cancer care with the rapid expansion of telemedicine, but given the limited use of telemedicine in oncology, concerns have been raised about the quality of care being delivered. We assessed the patient experience with telemedicine in routine radiation oncology practice to determine satisfaction, quality of care, and opportunities for optimization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients seen within a multistate comprehensive cancer center for prepandemic office visits and intrapandemic telemedicine visits in December 2019 through June 2020 who completed patient experience questionnaires were evaluated. Patient satisfaction between office and telemedicine consultations were compared, patient visit-type preferences were assessed, and factors associated with an office visit preference were determined. RESULTS: In total, 1,077 patients were assessed (office visit, n=726; telemedicine, n=351). The telemedicine-consult survey response rate was 40%. No significant differences were seen in satisfaction scores between office and telemedicine consultations, including the appointment experience versus expectation, quality of physician's explanation, and level of physician concern and friendliness. Among telemedicine survey respondents, 45% and 34% preferred telemedicine and office visits, respectively, and 21% had no preference for their visit type. Most respondents found their confidence in their physician (90%), understanding of the treatment plan (88%), and confidence in their treatment (87%) to be better or no different than with an office visit. Patients with better performance status and who were married/partnered were more likely to prefer in-person office visit consultations (odds ratio [OR], 1.04 [95% CI, 1.00-1.08]; P=.047, and 2.41 [95% CI, 1.14-5.47]; P=.009, respectively). Patients with telephone-only encounters were more likely to report better treatment plan understanding with an office visit (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.00-4.77; P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to assess telemedicine in routine radiation oncology practice, and found high patient satisfaction and confidence in their care. Optimization of telemedicine in oncology should be a priority, specifically access to audiovisual capabilities that can improve patient-oncologist communication.

Biflavonoid-rich fraction from Daphne pseudomezereum var. koreana Hamaya exerts anti-inflammatory effect in an experimental animal model of allergic asthma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Daphne pseudomezereum var. koreana Hamaya is distributed in the Gangwon-do of South Korea and is traditionally used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of biflavonoid-rich fraction (BF) obtained from an extract of D. pseudomezereum leaves on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neochamaejasmin B (NB) and chamaejasmin D (CD) were spectroscopically characterized as major components of BF obtained from the leaves of D. pseudomezereum. RAW264.7 cells pretreated with NB, CD and BF and activated by LPS (500 ng/ml) were used to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of these materials in vitro. To evaluate the protective effect of BF on allergic asthma, female BALB/c mice were sensitized to OVA by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection and treated with BF by oral administration (15 or 30 mg/kg). RESULTS: Pretreatment with BF inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α and IL-6, and led to upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in RAW264.7 macrophages. Orally administered BF significantly inhibited the recruitment of eosinophils and the production of IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 and MCP-1 as judged by the analysis of BALF from OVA-induced asthma animal model. BF also decreased the levels of IgE in the serum of asthmatic mice. BF suppressed the influx of inflammatory cells into nearby airways and the hypersecretion of mucus by the airway epithelium of asthmatic mice. In addition, the increase in Penh in asthmatic mice was reduced by BF administration. Furthermore, BF led to Nrf2 activation and HO-1 induction in the lungs of mice. CONCLUSIONS: These data have shown the anti-asthmatic effects of BF, and therefore we expect that BF may be a potential candidate as a natural drug/nutraceutical for the prevention and treatment of allergic asthma.

Synergistic anticancer activity of sorafenib, paclitaxel, and radiation therapy on anaplastic thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the antitumor activity of paclitaxel with radiation and sorafenib in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The 8505C ATC cell line was exposed to radiation, sorafenib, and paclitaxel each or in combination. The effects of combined treatment on the cell cycle and intracellular signaling pathways were assessed using flow cytometry and western blot analysis. An ATC cell line xenograft model was used to examine antitumor activity in vivo. RESULTS: Radiation, paclitaxel plus sorafenib synergistically decreased cell viability in ATC cells and significantly increased apoptotic cell death. The combination of paclitaxel, sorafenib with radiation reduced the antiapoptotic factor in ATC. This combination therapy significantly reduced the tumor volume and increased survival in the ATC xenograft model. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the combination of radiation and paclitaxel plus sorafenib has significant anticancer activity in preclinical models.

Thyroid Hormone Supplementation Therapy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer After Lobectomy: 5 Years of Follow-Up.

Background: Lobectomy with preservation of the contralateral lobe has already become the most preferred surgical method for patients with low-risk thyroid cancer. The incidence of and risk factors for the development of hypothyroidism after lobectomy for thyroid cancer remains unclear. The previous practice of levothyroxine supplementation post-thyroidectomy, to bring about thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression, had some serious side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of hypothyroidism and to identify the factors associated with hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 256 consecutive patients with differentiated thyroid cancer treated with lobectomy at the Gangnam Severance Hospital between April and December 2014 who were followed-up for more than 5 years. Patients were evaluated using a thyroid function test at the time of outpatient visit every 6 months for the 1st year, with an annual follow-up thereafter. Results: After 5 years, 66.0% (169) of the patients needed levothyroxine supplementation to maintain euthyroid status. The incidence of hypothyroidism requiring levothyroxine supplementation increased until 3 years but showed no significant change in the 4 and 5th year. Recurrence showed no difference between the group with and without levothyroxine supplementation. The presence of thyroiditis and preoperative TSH levels were correlated with postoperative levothyroxine supplementation to maintain euthyroid status, in univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusion: High preoperative TSH levels and/or thyroiditis indicate a significantly increased likelihood of developing hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone supplementation after a thyroid lobectomy. Patients with an increased risk of postoperative hypothyroidism must be aware of their risk factors and should undergo more intensive follow-ups.

Nanoformulated Single-Stranded RNA-Based Adjuvant with a Coordinative Amphiphile as an Effective Stabilizer: Inducing Humoral Immune Response by Activation of Antigen-Presenting Cells.

As agonists of TLR7/8, single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs) are safe and promising adjuvants that do not cause off-target effects or innate immune overactivation. However, low stability prevents them from mounting sufficient immune responses. This study evaluates the adjuvant effects of ssRNA derived from the cricket paralysis virus intergenic region internal ribosome entry site, formulated as nanoparticles with a coordinative amphiphile, containing a zinc/dipicolylamine complex moiety as a coordinative phosphate binder, as a stabilizer for RNA-based adjuvants. The nanoformulated ssRNA adjuvant was resistant to enzymatic degradation in vitro and in vivo, and that with a coordinative amphiphile bearing an oleyl group (CA-O) was approximately 100 nm, promoted effective recognition, and improved activation of antigen-presenting cells, leading to better induction of neutralizing antibodies following single immunization. Hence, CA-O may increase the efficacy of ssRNA-based adjuvants, proving useful to meet the urgent need for vaccines during pathogen outbreaks.

Food Purchasing Behavior of Food Insecure Cancer Patients Receiving Supplemental Food Vouchers.

PURPOSE: Food insecure cancer patients experience worse health outcomes and poorer quality of life than food secure patients. There has been little research in programs to alleviate food insecurity in cancer patients. The objective of this paper is to report on the food purchasing behaviors of cancer patients enrolled in a supplemental food voucher program. METHODS: This paper utilized data from a three-arm randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of food interventions on alleviating food insecurity in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. In one arm, patients received a monthly $230 voucher with which to purchase food. Receipts were collected for items purchased with the voucher and were coded to analyze purchasing behaviors. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients provided receipts for more than 11,000 individual items. Patients spent 50% of voucher funds on animal protein, fruits, and vegetables. Patients spent, on average, 77% of voucher funds on items categorized as "healthy." CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received a food voucher purchased more fruits and vegetables than national averages would suggest. They also spent less on sweetened beverages than national samples. Patients who were born outside of the United States or who were limited English proficient purchased significantly more healthy foods than English-speaking and American-born study patients. Supplemental food vouchers for food insecure cancer patients resulted in the purchase of healthy food items.

Discovery of New Triterpenoid Saponins Isolated from Maesa japonica with Antifungal Activity against Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe oryzae.

While searching for new antifungal compounds, we revealed that a methanol extract of plant species Maesa japonica has a potent antifungal activity in vivo against rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. To identify the antifungal substances, the methanol extract of M. japonica was extracted by organic solvents, and consequently, six active compounds were isolated from the n-butanol layer. The isolated compounds were five new acylated triterpenoid saponins including maejaposide I (1), maejaposides C-1, C-2, and C-3 (2-4), and maejaposide A-1 (5), along with a known one, maejaposide A (6). These chemical structures were determined by NMR and a comparison of their NMR and MS data with those reported in the literature. Based on the in vitro antifungal bioassay, the five compounds (2-6) exhibited strong antifungal activity against M. oryzae with MIC values ranging from 4 to 32 µg/mL, except for maejaposide I (1) (MIC > 250 µg/mL). When the compounds were evaluated at concentrations of 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL for an in vivo antifungal activity against rice blast, compounds 2-6 strongly reduced the development of blast by at least 85% to 98% compared to the untreated control. However, compound 1 did not show any in vivo antifungal activity up to a concentration of 500 µg/mL. Taken together, our results suggest that the methanol extract of M. japonica and the new acylated triterpenoid saponins can be used as a source for the development of natural fungicides.

SoLAT (Sorafenib Lenvatinib alternating treatment): a new treatment protocol with alternating Sorafenib and Lenvatinib for refractory thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which disrupt pathways involved in the proliferation and tumorigenesis of thyroid cancer, have been extensively studied. Two different TKIs, lenvatinib and sorafenib, were recently approved by both the US FDA and European Medicine Agency. Until date, the duration of the TKI response is not sufficient and resistance eventually occurs. The goal of this study was to investigate a new treatment protocol, SoLAT, using sorafenib and lenvatinib alternatively on refractory thyroid cancer. METHODS: Patient-derived aggressive papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cell lines from patients with biochemical and histologically proven aggressive RAI-refractory papillary thyroid cancer were exposed to sorafenib and lenvatinib alternatively. Human thyroid cancer cell xenografts were obtained by injecting patient-derived aggressive PTC cell lines into the flank of female BALB/c nude mice. Tumor-bearing mice were treated with sorafenib and lenvatinib alternatively. Cell viability assay, immunofluorescence analysis, confocal imaging, immunoblot analysis, flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle and a tube formation assay were performed. RESULTS: SoLAT was more effective for advanced PTC cell lines than individual treatment. Immunoblot analysis showed that SoLAT markedly increased levels of cell cycle inhibitors (p53 and p21), and pro-apoptotic factors (Apaf-1 and cleaved caspase 3) and decreased levels of positive cell cycle regulators (cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6) and anti-apoptotic factors (p-NFκB, Bcl-2). Increased sub-G0/G1 population was observed in the SoLAT group, leading to apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and strong inhibition of advanced PTC cell viability. SoLAT reduced the level of EMT markers such as vimentin, E-cadherin, Snail and Zeb1 by FGFR inhibition. In the xenograft model, individual treatment with sorafenib or lenvatinib did not markedly suppress patient-derived aggressive PTC cell xenograft tumors, whereas SoLAT significantly suppressed the proliferation of these tumors. CONCLUSIONS: SoLAT was more effective than individual treatment with sorafenib or lenvatinib in inhibiting PTC progression by inducing cell cycle arrest. Studies using both in vitro cell culture and an in vivo xenograft model provided evidence of tumor shrinkage with SoLAT. We suggest that these effects may be due to reduced EMT-mediated drug resistance in the aggressive PTC model.

Parathyroid score can predict the duration of required calcium supplementation after total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is the most common complication after total thyroidectomy, owing to unintentional injury or decreased blood flow to the parathyroid glands. Prediction of postoperative hypoparathyroidism would be helpful for surgeons to manage postoperative hypocalcemia. In this study, we scored the discoloration of the parathyroid glands using a new parathyroid scoring system and evaluated the correlation between the parathyroid score and duration of required calcium supplementation after total thyroidectomy. METHODS: A total of 316 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy between November 2009 and April 2010 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Parathyroid scoring was performed by one experienced surgeon. The status of each of the 4 parathyroid glands was classified as normal color (3 points), slightly discolored (2 points), dark discoloration (1 point), or loss of the gland (0 points), resulting in possible total scores of 0-12. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium, and ionized calcium concentrations were measured at 2 hours, 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Patients were also divided into three groups based on the duration of required calcium supplementation: no required supplementation (n = 260, 82.3%), required supplementation for <6 months (n = 38, 12%), and required supplementation for ≥6 months (n = 18, 5.75%). RESULTS: Parathyroid scores were positively correlated with ionized PTH concentrations at 2 hours (r = 0.053, p < 0.001), 2 weeks (r = 0.056, p < 0.001), 3 months (r = 0.032, p<0.001), 6 months (r = 0.072, p < 0.001), and 1 year (r = 0.071, p < 0.001) after thyroidectomy. Parathyroid scores were significantly and inversely associated with the duration of required calcium supplementation (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroid scores at the end of surgery might be helpful for predicting the degree of postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidetomy.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion of Low-Density Lipoprotein Docosahexaenoic Acid Nanoparticles Selectively Disrupts Redox Balance in Hepatoma Cells and Reduces Growth of Orthotopic Liver Tumors in Rats.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Dietary intake of the natural omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been implicated in protecting patients with viral hepatitis B or C from developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Little is known about the effects of DHA on established solid tumors. Here we describe a low-density lipoprotein-based nanoparticle that acts as a transporter for unesterified DHA (LDL-DHA) and demonstrates selective cytotoxicity toward HCC cells. We investigated the ability of LDL-DHA to reduce growth of orthotopic hepatomas in rats. METHODS: AxC-Irish (ACI) rats were given intrahepatic injections of rat hepatoma cells (H4IIE); 24 tumor-bearing rats (mean tumor diameter, ∼1 cm) were subject to a single hepatic artery injection of LDL nanoparticles (2 mg/kg) loaded with DHA (LDL-DHA), triolein (LDL-TO), or sham surgery controls. Tumor growth was measured by magnetic resonance imaging and other methods; tumor, liver, and serum samples were collected and assessed by histochemical, immunofluorescence, biochemical, and immunoblot analyses. RESULTS: Three days after administration of LDL-TO or sham surgery, the control rats had large, highly vascularized tumors that contained proliferating cells. However, rats given LDL-DHA had smaller, pale tumors that were devoid of vascular supply and >80% of the tumor tissue was necrotic. Four to 6 days after injection of LDL-DHA, the tumors were 3-fold smaller than those of control rats. The liver tissue that surrounded the tumors showed no histologic or biochemical evidence of injury. Injection of LDL-DHA into the hepatic artery of rats selectively deregulated redox reactions in tumor tissues by increasing levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, depleting and oxidizing glutathione and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and significantly down-regulating the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase-4. Remarkably, the redox balance in the surrounding liver was not disrupted. CONCLUSION: LDL-DHA nanoparticle selectively kills hepatoma cells and reduces growth of orthotopic liver tumors in rats. It induces tumor-specific necrosis by selectively disrupting redox balance within the cancer cell.

Identification of plant compounds that disrupt the insect juvenile hormone receptor complex.

Insects impact human health through vector-borne diseases and cause major economic losses by damaging crops and stored agricultural products. Insect-specific growth regulators represent attractive control agents because of their safety to the environment and humans. We identified plant compounds that serve as juvenile hormone antagonists (PJHANs). Using the yeast two-hybrid system transformed with the mosquito JH receptor as a reporter system, we demonstrate that PJHANs affect the JH receptor, methoprene-tolerant (Met), by disrupting its complex with CYCLE or FISC, formation of which is required for mediating JH action. We isolated five diterpene secondary metabolites with JH antagonist activity from two plants: Lindera erythrocarpa and Solidago serotina. They are effective in causing mortality of mosquito larvae at relatively low LD50 values. Topical application of two diterpenes caused reduction in the expression of Met target genes and retardation of follicle development in mosquito ovaries. Hence, the newly discovered PJHANs may lead to development of a new class of safe and effective pesticides.

Effects of Eucommia ulmoides extract on longitudinal bone growth rate in adolescent female rats.

Eucommia ulmoides is one of the popular tonic herbs for the treatment of low back pain and bone fracture and is used in Korean medicine to reinforce muscles and bones. This study was performed to investigate the effects of E. ulmoides extract on longitudinal bone growth rate, growth plate height, and the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in adolescent female rats. In two groups, we administered a twice-daily dosage of E. ulmoides extract (at 30 and 100 mg/kg, respectively) per os over 4 days, and in a control group, we administered vehicle only under the same conditions. Longitudinal bone growth rate in newly synthesized bone was observed using tetracycline labeling. Chondrocyte proliferation in the growth plate was observed using cresyl violet dye. In addition, we analyzed the expressions of BMP-2 and IGF-1 using immunohistochemistry. Eucommia ulmoides extract significantly increased longitudinal bone growth rate and growth plate height in adolescent female rats. In the immunohistochemical study, E. ulmoides markedly increased BMP-2 and IGF-1 expressions in the proliferative and hypertrophic zones. In conclusion, E. ulmoides increased longitudinal bone growth rate by promoting chondrogenesis in the growth plate and the levels of BMP-2 and IGF-1. Eucommia ulmoides could be helpful for increasing bone growth in children who have growth retardation.

Pyranocoumarins from Glehnia littoralis inhibit the LPS-induced NO production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells.

A new dihydropyranocoumarin, (+)-cis-(3'S,4'S)-diisobutyrylkhellactone (1), together with five known compounds, 3'-senecioyl-4'-acetylkhellactone (2), 3'-isovaleryl-4'-acetylkhellactone (3), 3',4'-disenecioylkhellactone (4), 3'-isovaleryl-4'-senecioylkhellactone (5), and 3',4'-diisovalerylkhellactone (6), was isolated from Glehnia littoralis. Their chemical structures were elucidated based on the spectroscopic data interpretation, particularly 1D and 2D NMR data including HMQC and HMBC. All the isolated compounds showed the potential to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values ranging from 7.4 to 44.3µM.

Prevalence and factors affecting glucosamine use in Korea: a survey-based study.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are widely used as pharmaceutical and dietary supplements. However, there is a lack of information regarding consumer consumption of glucosamine and chondroitin in the Republic of Korea. We investigated the prevalence and factors affecting the use of glucosamine products in the general population aged 40 years and older in the Republic of Korea. We conducted this descriptive and exploratory study using a telephone-based survey with a structured questionnaire. We randomly selected subjects using a proportional allocation method based on age, gender, and region. We started the survey on September 19, 2009, and continued the survey until we obtained 1,000 respondents who were currently taking glucosamine or chondroitin, which occured on September 30, 2009. Among the 8,135 people approached, the response rate was 29.6%. A total of 12.2% of respondents (n = 991) were current users of glucosamine, while only 0.1% (n = 9) were current users of chondroitin. Two-fifths of current glucosamine users were not diagnosed with osteoarthritis by a doctor nor did they experience arthritis pain. These participants used glucosamine to maintain and promote joint health. Information on glucosamine was mainly obtained through advertisements on television or the Internet. Seventy percent of current users indicated that they did not know the composition of the glucosamine they took. Appropriate information and guides concerning glucosamine or chondroitin usage should be provided by expert clinicians because of the accessibility of both these cartilage derivatives as supplements and medical drugs in the Republic of Korea.

A single administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin that produces reduced food and water intake induces long-lasting expression of corticotropin-releasing factor, arginine vasopressin, and proopiomelanocortin in rat brain.

The mechanism by which a single administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) reduces food and water intake is unclear. We examined whether such a food and water intake-reducing single administration of TCDD induced changes in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), arginine vasopressin (AVP), and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression in rat brain. To observe time-dependent changes in these neuropeptides, male Sprague-Dawley rats were given TCDD (50 microg/kg) and terminated 1, 2, 4, or 7 days later. In addition, to observe dose-dependent changes in feeding and neuropeptides, rats were also given a range of TCDD doses (12.5, 25, or 50 microg/kg) and terminated 14 days later. TCDD suppressed food and water intake over 14 days in a dose-dependent manner. TCDD treatment also increased CRF and POMC mRNA levels in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and arcuate nucleus, respectively, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These increases were related to decreased food intake following TCDD administration. TCDD treatment increased AVP and CRF mRNA levels in the PVN, and these increases were related to decreased water intake. Interestingly, the increases in CRF, AVP and POMC expression were observed 7 to 14 days after TCDD administration. These results suggest that a single administration of TCDD induced long-lasting increases in CRF, AVP, and POMC mRNA levels in the hypothalamus and that these changes are related to reduced food and water intake 7 to 14 days after TCDD administration.