Efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to establish clinical evidence for acupuncture by analysing data from trials that demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) with the following research question: Is acupuncture treatment effective for symptom alleviation in patients with WAD compared with other usual care? DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, ScienceOn, KMBASE, Korean Studies Information Service System, Korea Med, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System and Research Information Sharing Service were searched from their inception to 1 October 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture on patients with WAD. The outcomes were the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score or numerical rating scale score for neck pain, the range of motion (ROM) of the neck, the Neck Disability Index and safety. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent researchers analysed and extracted data from the selected literatures. The risk of bias and the quality of evidence were assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 525 patients with WAD from eight RCTs were included in this study. The meta-analysis revealed that the outcomes showed significant differences in the pain VAS score (standard mean difference (SMD): -0.57 (-0.86 to -0.28), p<0.001) and ROM-extension (SMD: 0.47 (0.05 to 0.89), p=0.03). The risk of bias assessment revealed that four studies published after 2012 (50%, 4 out of 8 studies) showed low bias in most domains. The pain VAS score was graded as having moderate certainty. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture may have clinical value in pain reduction and increasing the ROM for patients with WAD. High-quality RCTs must be conducted to confirm the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with WAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42021261595.

Effectiveness of Acupotomy Combined with Epidural Steroid Injection for Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Pragmatic Pilot Study.

Background and Objectives: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and safety of acupotomy combined with epidural steroid injection (ESI) in lumbosacral radiculopathy and examine its feasibility for the main study. Materials and Methods: This randomized, controlled, two-arm, parallel, assessor-blinded, pragmatic study included 50 patients with severe lumbosacral radiculopathy who had insufficient improvement after an ESI. Patients were randomized (1:1 ratio) into a combined treatment (acupotomy + ESI, experimental) and an ESI single treatment (control) group. Both groups underwent a total of two ESIs once every 2 weeks; the experimental group received eight additional acupotomy treatments twice a week for 4 weeks. Types of ESI included interlaminar, transforaminal, and caudal approaches. Drugs used in ESI comprised a 5-10 mL mixture of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (2.5 mg), mepivacaine (0.3%), and hyaluronidase (1500 IU). The primary outcome was the difference in changes from baseline in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores between the groups at weeks 4 and 8. The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) was calculated to evaluate the cost-effectiveness between the groups. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed at all visits. Results: Mean ODI scores for the experimental and control groups were -9.44 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -12.71, -6.17) and -2.16 (95% CI: -5.01, 0.69) at week 4, and -9.04 (95% CI: -12.09, -5.99) and -4.76 (95% CI: -7.68, -1.84) at week 8, respectively. The difference in ODI score changes was significant between the groups at week 4 (p = 0.0021). The ICUR of the experimental group versus the control group was as economical as 18,267,754 won/quality-adjusted life years. No serious AEs were observed. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the potential clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupotomy combined with ESI for lumbosacral radiculopathy and its feasibility for a full-scale study. Larger, long-term follow-up clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Treatment of Multiple Finger Laceration Caused by Green Onion Cutting Machines in South Korea.

Background: Finger injuries caused by green onion cutting machines in Korean kitchens have unique characteristics of an incomplete amputation in which multiple parallel soft tissues and blood vessels are injured in the same form. In this study, we aimed to describe unique finger injuries and to report the treatment outcomes and experiences of performing possible soft tissue reconstructions. Methods: This case series study included 65 patients (82 fingers) from December 2011 to December 2015. The mean age was 50.5 years. We retrospectively classified the presence of fractures and the degree of damage in patients. The injured area involvement level was categorised as distal, middle or proximal. The direction was categorised as sagittal, coronal, oblique or transverse. The treatment results were compared according to the amputation direction and injury area. Results: Of the 65 patients, 35 had a partial finger necrosis and needed additional surgeries. Finger reconstructions were performed through stump revision or local or free flap use. The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with fractures. As for the injury area, distal involvement led to 17 out of 57 patients displaying necrosis and all 5 patients showing the same in proximal involvement. Conclusions: Unique finger injuries caused by green onion cutting machines can easily be treated with simple sutures. Then prognosis is affected by the extent of injury and the presence of fractures. Reconstruction is necessary for finger necrosis owing to extensive blood vessel damage and limitations when making this selection. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

Development of WEF-P Nexus based on product-supply chain: A case study of phosphorous fertilizer industry in Morocco.

The aim of this study was to analyze various sustainability strategies for phosphate and phosphorous fertilizer production systems from the perspective of their holistic impacts on water, energy, and CO2 emissions. The study was conducted using the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Tool 2.0, adapted to include the phosphate industry (WEF-P tool). It assesses the scenarios based on priorities identified by the Moroccan phosphate industry, such as the environmental impact of transporting phosphate rock by train and phosphate slurry by pipeline and increased desalinated water use. Results show that each scenario's sustainability can be assessed in terms of phosphate production, processes, resource (water and energy) availability, and CO2 emissions in mining and manufacturing areas. The analytical methodology of the tool is based on an integrated supply chain and life cycle assessment, which includes the production flows linking mining phosphate and manufacturing phosphorous fertilizers and their water and energy supply systems. Field surveys were used to identify the supply chain and estimate the relationships between production and resource consumption in each process. The tool is a decision-support platform that produces sustainability indices for multiple scenarios of resource allocation (water and energy) and CO2 emissions, allowing stakeholders to compare potential outcomes and formulate decisions based on their understanding of the actual trade-offs involved.

Efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash injury: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies in both Eastern & Western countries such as the United States and Europe have evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash injury or whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). However, no systematic reviews on the effectiveness of acupuncture on WAD have been conducted since 2014. Therefore, we are planning an updated systematic review of studies published since 2014 to overcome the limitations of existing evidence. METHODS: Literature will be identified from searches of relevant databases, including international databases such as PubMed, Ovid-Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Korean databases such as Korea Med, Korean Studies Information Service System, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, and National Digital Science Library. Only randomized controlled trials using acupuncture or electro-acupuncture for whiplash injury will be included. The primary outcomes will be the visual analog scale or numerical rating scale of the neck pain, while the secondary outcome is the range of motion of the neck. The risk of bias for individual papers will be assessed by two independent investigators using the Cochrane "Risk of Bias" assessment tool. DISSEMINATION: We plan to report the results of the study in a peer-reviewed journal after completing the research. In addition, we expect this study to provide invaluable information to clinicians treating patients with WAD with acupuncture or electro-acupuncture. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO 2021: CRD42021261595. Registered on 18 July 2021. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=261595.

Pesticide residue monitoring and risk assessment in the herbal fruits Schisandra chinensis, Lycium chinense, and Cornus officinalis in Korea.

Schisandra chinensis, Lycium chinense, and Cornus officinalis are cultivated in South Korea, China and Japan. Because of their beneficial biological effectiveness, the consumption of these herbs is increasing. The objective of this study was to analyze the pesticide residue levels on these herbal fruits produced in Korea. A short- and long-term risk assessment of the pesticides in herbal fruits was conducted. Pesticides were detected in most samples, and all samples with multiple residues were also noted. The average numbers of pesticides detected in the S. chinensis, L. chinense, and C. officinalis samples were 1.84, 10.28, and 5.87, respectively. The short-term and highest long-term risks, and the cumulative risk (cHI) were 0.633%, 1.14%, and 7.56% (S. chinensis), 1.0 × 10-1%, 1.1 × 10-5%, and 4.0 × 10-5% (L. chinense), and 2.2 × 10-5%, 1.6 × 10-5%, and 8.9 × 10-5% (C. officinalis). No significant health risk for consumers via herbal fruit consumption was detected.

Effects of taichi on grade 1 hypertension: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Medication is generally recommended to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular disease in hypertensive patients. However, considering the difficulties and economic factors associated with long-term medication, interest in taichi as an exercise treatment method has increased recently in Korean medical practice. Numerous studies have suggested that taichi can be used to treat various diseases and that is can affect psychosomatic factors such as anxiety. This study aims to evaluate the effect of taichi in reducing blood pressure among grade 1 hypertensive patients. METHODS/DESIGN: In this randomized, active-controlled, assessor-blinded, two parallel-armed trial, 80 grade 1 hypertension patients will be recruited and randomly assigned to the usual care group or to the taichi group (n = 40 in each group). Subjects who voluntarily sign a study agreement will be educated in managing their own blood pressure by restricting salt intake, losing weight, moderating alcohol consumption, performing exercise, and regulating dietary intake at their first visit. In addition to self-management, the taichi group will perform two 60-min taichi sessions per week for a total of 8 weeks. Blood pressure will be measured as the primary outcome. In addition, body composition, heart rate, and the perceived intensity and difficulty of the exercise will be measured as secondary outcomes. DISCUSSION: This study is a randomized controlled trial of taichi, which is not widely practiced in Korea. It may provide valuable data on the effects of taichi on hypertension, which will inform non-pharmaceutical treatment options for this disorder. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service, KCT0003632. Registered on 18 March 2019.

The effects of nattokinase supplementation on collagen-epinephrine closure time, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in nondiabetic and hypercholesterolemic subjects.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether supplementation with nattokinase, which is considered one of the most active functional ingredients found in natto, alters hemostatic factors. Subjects presenting with hypercholesterolemia (serum cholesterol: 200-280 mg dL-1) were randomly divided into nattokinase and placebo groups (n = 50, respectively). No significant between-group differences were found at baseline in collagen-epinephrine closure time (C-EPI CT), prothrombin time (PT), or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). After 8 weeks of treatment, the nattokinase group exhibited significant increases in C-EPI CT, PT, and aPTT. The nattokinase group showed significantly greater increases in C-EPI CT (P = 0.001) and aPTT (P = 0.016) than the placebo group. Moreover, at 8 weeks, the nattokinase group showed a significantly higher C-EPI CT than the placebo group (P = 0.001). Additionally, a significant correlation between PT and aPTT was observed (r = 0.491, P < 0.001). In conclusion, nattokinase supplementation was associated with prolonged C-EPI CT and aPTT in nondiabetic and borderline-to-moderate hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Novel Two-Step Process Utilizing a Single Enzyme for the Production of High-Titer 3,6-Anhydro-l-galactose from Agarose Derived from Red Macroalgae.

3,6-Anhydro-l-galactose (l-AHG), a major component of agarose derived from red macroalgae, has excellent potential for industrial applications based on its physiological activities such as skin whitening, moisturizing, anticariogenicity, and anti-inflammation. However, l-AHG is not yet commercially available due to the complexity, inefficiency, and high cost of the current processes for producing l-AHG. Currently, l-AHG production depends on a multistep process requiring several enzymes. Here, we designed and tested a novel two-step process for obtaining high-titer l-AHG by using a single enzyme. First, to depolymerize agarose preferentially into agarobiose (AB) at a high titer, the agarose prehydrolysis using phosphoric acid as a catalyst was optimized at a 30.7% (w/v) agarose loading, which is the highest agarose or agar loading reported so far. Then AB produced by the prehydrolysis was hydrolyzed into l-AHG and d-galactose (d-Gal) by using a recently discovered enzyme, Bgl1B. We suggest that this simple and efficient process could be a feasible solution for the commercialization and mass production of l-AHG.

The effects of Jerusalem artichoke and fermented soybean powder mixture supplementation on blood glucose and oxidative stress in subjects with prediabetes or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a Jerusalem artichoke and fermented soybean powder mixture on blood glucose and oxidative stress levels. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 60 subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The subjects were randomly assigned to either a group that ingested 40 g of a Jerusalem artichoke and fermented soybean powder mixture (19.45 g each) daily or a group that received a placebo for 12 weeks. Paired t-test and independent t-test were performed for comparisons within groups and between groups, respectively. RESULTS: Supplementation with the Jerusalem artichoke and fermented soybean powder mixture reduced the levels of fasting glucose (p < 0.001) and FFAs (p = 0.034), glucose at 60 min (p = 0.004), glucose (p = 0.006) areas under the response curve (AUC), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (p = 0.018), and the urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α (8-epi-PGF2α) level (p = 0.028). The changes (Δ) in urinary 8-epi-PGF2α, glucose at 60 min, 120 min, and AUC, FFAs at 0 min and AUC were significantly different between the two groups. In addition, Δ glucose at 120 min (r = 0.472, p = 0.027) and the Δ glucose AUC (r = 0.572, p = 0.005) were positively correlated with △ plasma malondialdehyde in the test group. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of a Jerusalem artichoke and fermented soybean powder mixture for 12 weeks was effective for reducing postprandial glucose and oxidative stress level, particularly 8-epi-PGF2α, in subjects with IFG, IGT, or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Antioxidant and Anti-Osteoporosis Activities of Chemical Constituents of the Stems of Zanthoxylum piperitum.

Two new lignans, zanthoxyloside C (1) and zanthoxyloside D (2), together with nine known compounds comprising lignans (3-5), flavonoids (6-8), and phenolics (9-11), were isolated from the methanol extract of the stems of Zanthoxylum piperitum. All isolates were evaluated for their antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic activities using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assays. Compounds 7-10 showed peroxyl radical-scavenging capacities and 4, 6-7, and 9 showed reducing capacities. Moreover, compounds 3, 6-9, and 11 significantly suppressed TRAP activities. These results indicated that the stems of Z. piperitum could be an excellent source for natural antioxidant and anti-osteoporosis.

Expression and degradation patterns of chitinase purified from Xuehuali (Pyrus bretschneiderilia) pollen.

The present study investigated the expression pattern of chitinase in Xuehuali (Pyrus bretschneiderilia) pollen, as well as its subsequent degradation. The chitinase was purified and collected using chitin affinity column chromatography with regenerated chitin. After purification, four additional chitinase isozymes (chiA, chiB, chiC, and chiD) and chitinase (Chi II) were clearly expressed on SDS-PAGE gels that contained 0.01% glycol chitin. The chitinase reaction products were examined using GlcNAc, (GlcNAc)2, (GlcNAc)3, (GlcNAc)4, (GlcNAc)5, and (GlcNAc)6 as substrates at 2 and 24h after reaction via TLC and HPLC. The (GlcNAc)4 oligosaccharide was slightly degraded to (GlcNAc)2 after 24h of reaction with Xuehuali pollen chitinase on TLC. Meanwhile, (GlcNAc)5 was degraded to (GlcNAc)2-4, and 2300ppm (GlcNAc)6 was degraded to 246ppm (GlcNAc)2, 208ppm (GlcNAc)3, 572ppm (GlcNAc)4, and 336ppm (GlcNAc)5 on HPLC. With regard to temperature, the strongest Xuehuali pollen chitinase activity (0.69 unit/mL) was observed at 37°C after 3h of incubation, and with regard to pH, the strongest activity (0.72unit/mL) was observed at pH 3 after 3h of incubation. The main chitin oligomers degraded from (GlcNAc)6 were (GlcNAc)2 and (GlcNAc)4.

Antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic effects of anthraquinones and related constituents from the aqueous dissolved Aloe exudates.

In this study, 25 known anthraquinones and related compounds were isolated from aqueous dissolved Aloe exudates. The antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic activities of the isolated compounds were then investigated. Compounds 8, 11, 20, and 23 showed good antioxidant activity based on peroxyl radical-scavenging and reducing capacity assays at a concentration of 10.0 µM. Additionally, compounds 7, 9, 15-16, 18, 21-22 and 24-25 showed potent peroxyl radical-scavenging activities with values ranging from 5.28 to 14.60 at 10.0 µM. Moreover, compounds 8, 11, 15, 20 and 22 exhibited significantly suppressed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in nuclear factor-κB ligand-activated osteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells, with values of 125.67, 118.54, 127.64, 125.82 and 124.98%, respectively. These results indicate that Aloe is an excellent source of antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic phytochemicals.

Identification of sennoside A as a novel inhibitor of the slingshot (SSH) family proteins related to cancer metastasis.

Phospho-cofilin (p-cofilin), which has a phosphate group on Ser-3, is involved in actin polymerization. Its dephosphorylated form promotes filopodia formation and cell migration by enhancing actin depolymerization. Protein phosphatase slingshot homologs (SSHs), known as dual-specificity phosphatases, catalyze hydrolytic removal of the Ser-3 phosphate group from phospho-cofilin. Aberrant SSH activity results in cancer metastasis, implicating SSHs as potential therapeutic targets for cancer metastasis. In this study, we screened 658 natural products purified from traditional oriental medicinal plants to identify three potent SSH inhibitors with submicromolar or single-digit micromolar Ki values: gossypol, hypericin, and sennoside A. The three compounds were purified from cottonseed, Saint John's wort, and rhubarb, respectively. Sennoside A markedly increased cofilin phosphorylation in pancreatic cancer cells, leading to impaired actin dynamics in pancreatic cancer cells with or without EGF stimulation and reduced motility and invasiveness in vitro and in vivo. Collaboratively, these results demonstrate that sennoside A is a novel inhibitor of SSHs and suggest that it may be valuable in the development of pharmaceutical drugs for treating cancer metastasis.

Anti-Osteoclastic Activity of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Extract Depends upon Attenuation of Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Resorption-Associated Acidification Due to Chlorogenic Acid, Hyperoside, and Scoparone.

The present study attempts to elucidate the anti-osteoporotic activity of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. in the form of anti-osteoclastic effect and responsible bioactive compounds. The contents of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, isochlorogenic acid A, and scoparone in Artemisia capillaris hydroethanolic extract (ACHE) were 38.53, 0.52, 4.07, 3.03, 13.90, and 6.59 mg/g, respectively. ACHE diminished osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption due to chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and scoparone. In addition, ACHE attenuated acidification as well as reducing tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) expression and its association with vacuolar H⁺-adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase). Furthermore, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and scoparone from A. capillaris abrogated the association of V-ATPase with TRAF6, suggesting that the blockage of bone resorption by A. capillaris was partially mediated by reducing acidification through down-regulating interaction of V-ATPase with TRAF6 due to scoparone as well as chlorogenic acid and hyperoside. These results imply that the anti-osteoclastic effect of A. capillaris through down-regulating osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption may contribute to its anti-osteoporotic effect.

Consumption of dairy yogurt with the polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan from the peel of the Korean citrus hallabong enhances immune function and attenuates the inflammatory response.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of consuming dairy yogurt supplemented with rhamnogalacturonan (RG), a polysaccharide from the peel of the Korean citrus hallabong, on natural killer (NK) cell activity and circulating cytokine levels. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 120 nondiabetic and nonobese subjects. Over an eight-week period, the test group consumed one pack (150 mL) of dairy yogurt containing 50 mg of probiotics and 100 mg of hallabong peel polysaccharide (60% RG) each day, whereas the placebo group consumed the same product without the hallabong peel supplement. NK cell activity (%) was measured based on the ratios of the effector cells (E; peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PBMCs) from each participant relative to the target cells (T; K562 cells) at E : T ratios of 10 : 1, 5 : 1, 2.5 : 1, or 1.25 : 1. NK cell activities under all assay conditions and interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon (IFN)-γ levels were significantly increased in the test group at eight weeks compared to the baseline values, whereas the placebo group showed a significant increase only in NK cell activity at E : T = 1.25 : 1. The test group had significantly greater increases in the changes in serum NK cell activity at the E : T ratios of 10 : 1, 5 : 1, and 2.5 : 1 and in the increases in IL-12 and IFN-γ levels than were observed in the placebo group, after adjusting for baseline values. After eight weeks of treatment, significant reductions were found in IL-6 and IL-1ß levels in both the placebo and test groups. The daily consumption of dairy yogurt supplemented with RG, a polysaccharide from the peel of the Korean citrus hallabong, enhanced NK cell function and attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02535663).

Exposure of isoflurane-treated cells to hyperoxia decreases cell viability and activates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Isoflurane has either neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects. High-dose oxygen is frequently used throughout the perioperative period. We hypothesized that hyperoxia will affect cell viability of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells that were exposed to isoflurane and reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be involved. PC12 cells were exposed to 1.2% or 2.4% isoflurane for 6 or 24h respectively, and cell viability was evaluated. To investigate the effects of hyperoxia, PC12 cells were treated with 21%, 50%, or 95% oxygen and 2.4% isoflurane for 6h, and cell viability, TUNEL staining, ROS production, and expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), BCL2-associated X protein (BAX), caspase-3 and beta-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE) were measured. ROS involvement was evaluated using the ROS scavenger 2-mercaptopropiopylglycine (MPG). The viability of cells exposed to 2.4% isoflurane was lower than that of cells exposed to 1.2% isoflurane. Prolonged exposure (6h vs. 24h) to 2.4% isoflurane resulted in a profound reduction in cell viability. Treatment with 95% (but not 50%) oxygen enhanced the decrease in cell viability induced by 2.4% isoflurane alone. Levels of ROS, Bax, caspase-3 and BACE were increased, whereas expression of Bcl-2 was decreased, in cells treated with 95% oxygen plus 2.4% isoflurane compared with the control and 2.4% isoflurane plus air groups. MPG attenuated the effects of oxygen and isoflurane. In conclusion, isoflurane affects cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This effect is augmented by hyperoxia and may involve ROS, the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway, and ß-amyloid protein.

Combined effect of photobiomodulation with a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor on the rate of relapse in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate combined effect of photobiomodulation with a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor on the relapse rate in relation to MMP expression in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two rats were divided into four groups according to the treatment modality: control group, irradiation group, doxycycline group, and irradiation with doxycycline group. During a relapse period of 5 days after orthodontic movement, maxillary central incisors were treated by low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as a photobiomodulation and/or doxycycline as a synthetic MMP inhibitor. Relapse rate was evaluated in association with MMP expression at the gene and protein levels. RESULTS: Relapse rates were increased by LLLT (1.57-fold) and decreased by doxycycline (0.83-fold) compared with the control, showing positive correlation with the levels of expression for all MMPs in the periodontal ligament (PDL). LLLT concomitant with doxycycline administration resulted in no significant differences of relapse rate and MMP expression from the control. CONCLUSIONS: The combined effect of photobiomodulation with an MMP inhibitor around the relapsing teeth proved to be antagonistic to PDL remodeling activity during relapse. This study suggests a basis for developing a novel biologic procedure targeting the MMP-dependent PDL remodeling to control the relapse rate.

Supplementation with two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032, reduces fasting triglycerides and enhances apolipoprotein A-V levels in non-diabetic subjects with hypertriglyceridemia.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have indicated that supplementation with probiotics might improve lipid metabolism. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with probiotic strains Lactobacillus curvatus (L. curvatus) HY7601 and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) KY1032 on triglyceride (TG) and apolipoprotein A-V (apo A-V) levels. METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 128 non-diabetic subjects with hypertriglyceridemia. Over a 12-week test period, the probiotic group consumed 2 g/day of a powdered supplement containing L. curvatus HY7601 and L. plantarum KY1032, whereas the placebo group consumed a powder lacking probiotics. RESULTS: After the treatment, the probiotic group showed an 18.3% (P < 0.001) reduction in TGs and increases of 21.1% (P = 0.001) and 15.6% (P < 0.001) in the apo A-V and LDL particle size, respectively. The probiotic group had a significant reduction in TGs (P = 0.040) and increases in the plasma apo A-V (P = 0.003) and LDL particle size (P < 0.001) compared with the placebo group. In the probiotic group, the reduction in the TG levels was negatively correlated with changes in the apo A-V and baseline TGs, regardless of the APOA5 -1131T > C genotype. CONCLUSION: The consumption of two probiotic strains for 12 weeks reduced TGs and increased the apo A-V and LDL particle size in hypertriglyceridemic subjects. This effect was more pronounced in subjects with higher levels of fasting TGs regardless of their APOA5 -1131T > C genotype.

Synthesis and characterization of nanosilver with antibacterial properties using Pinus densiflora young cone extract.

This study describes an eco-friendly, rapid method for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from an aqueous solution of silver nitrate using Pinus densiflora for. multicaulis Uyeki young cone extract in a single-pot process. Color changes, ultraviolet-visible spectra (444.5 nm), X-ray diffraction peaks (2θ=39.68, 46.92, 68.12, and 79.10), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the presence of Ag NPs and phytochemicals. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the nanoparticles were mostly oval in shape, with a few triangular-shaped particles. Average particle size was 30-80 nm. Phytochemicals present in the young pine cone extract were likely responsible for the reduction of Ag(+) ions. The synthesized Ag NPs (40 µg) had a 7 mm larger zone of inhibition against the skin pathogen Brevibacterium linens than commercial Ag NPs, Propionibacterium acnes (14 mm), Bacillus cereus (9 mm) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (10mm).