Therapeutic Potential of Volatile Terpenes and Terpenoids from Forests for Inflammatory Diseases.

Forest trees are a major source of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). Terpenes and terpenoids are known as the main BVOCs of forest aerosols. These compounds have been shown to display a broad range of biological activities in various human disease models, thus implying that forest aerosols containing these compounds may be related to beneficial effects of forest bathing. In this review, we surveyed studies analyzing BVOCs and selected the most abundant 23 terpenes and terpenoids emitted in forested areas of the Northern Hemisphere, which were reported to display anti-inflammatory activities. We categorized anti-inflammatory processes related to the functions of these compounds into six groups and summarized their molecular mechanisms of action. Finally, among the major 23 compounds, we examined the therapeutic potentials of 12 compounds known to be effective against respiratory inflammation, atopic dermatitis, arthritis, and neuroinflammation among various inflammatory diseases. In conclusion, the updated studies support the beneficial effects of forest aerosols and propose their potential use as chemopreventive and therapeutic agents for treating various inflammatory diseases.

Increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract infections of neurological patients, Seoul, South Korea, 2007-2016.

OBJECTIVES: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common medical complication experienced by patients with neurologic diseases. In this study, we established the microbial etiologies of UTI, and resistances to antibiotics in UTI as well as determining which appropriate empirical antibiotics should be used to treat UTI in neurological patients. DESIGNS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed microbial etiologies and antimicrobial resistance among patients experiencing UTI events in the neurology ward of Seoul National University Hospital from 2007 to 2016. RESULTS: The total number of UTI events observed was 301, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common pathogen observed in UTIs. But in catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI), Enterococcus species were the most prevalent pathogens. Susceptibility to commonly-prescribed antibiotics decreased over 10 years, indicating increased antibiotic resistance in pathogens associated with UTI. ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae increased significantly, while increases of MDR K. pneumoniae, ESBL-producing E. coli, and VRE were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The worldwide trend of increasing drug-resistant pathogens should be considered, and further studies on antibiotics resistance in UTI are needed. These data will greatly assist physicians when they select antibiotics to treat UTIs in neurological patients.