Maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells by tyrosine-unphosphorylated STAT5 and JAK inhibition.

Adult haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are responsible for the lifelong production of blood and immune cells, a process regulated by extracellular cues including cytokines. Many cytokines signal through the conserved JAK/STAT pathway, in which tyrosine-phosphorylated STATs (pSTATs) function as transcription factors. STAT5 is a pivotal downstream mediator of several cytokines known to regulate haematopoiesis but its function in the HSC compartment remains poorly understood. Here, we show that STAT5-deficient HSCs exhibit an unusual phenotype: reduced multi-lineage repopulation and self-renewal, combined with reduced exit from quiescence and increased differentiation. This was driven not only by loss of canonical pSTAT5 signalling, but also by loss of distinct transcriptional functions mediated by STAT5 lacking canonical tyrosine phosphorylation (uSTAT5). Consistent with this concept, expression of an unphosphorylatable STAT5 mutant constrained wild-type HSC differentiation, promoted their maintenance and upregulated transcriptional programs associated with quiescence and stemness. The JAK1/2 inhibitor, ruxolitinib, which increased the uSTAT5:pSTAT5 ratio, had similar effects on murine HSC function: it constrained HSC differentiation and proliferation, promoted HSC maintenance and upregulated transcriptional programs associated with stemness. Ruxolitinib also enhanced serial replating of normal human HSPCs, CALR-mutant murine HSCs and HSPCs obtained from patients with myelofibrosis. Our results therefore reveal a previously unrecognized interplay between pSTAT5 and uSTAT5 in the control of HSC function and highlight JAK inhibition as a potential strategy for enhancing HSC function during ex vivo culture. Increased levels of uSTAT5 may also contribute to the failure of JAK inhibitors to eradicate myeloproliferative neoplasms.

The iNKT cell ligand α-GalCer prevents murine septic shock by inducing IL10-producing iNKT and B cells.

Introduction: α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a prototypical agonist of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, stimulates iNKT cells to produce various cytokines such as IFNγ and IL4. Moreover, repeated α-GalCer treatment can cause protective or pathogenic outcomes in various immune-mediated diseases. However, the precise role of α-GalCer-activated iNKT cells in sepsis development remains unclear. To address this issue, we employed a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced murine sepsis model and two alternative models. Methods: Sepsis was induced in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 (B6) mice by three methods (LPS/D-GalN, α-GalCer/D-GalN, and cecal slurry), and these mice were monitored for survival rates. WT B6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with α-GalCer or OCH (an IL4-biased α-GalCer analog) one week prior to the induction of sepsis. To investigate the effects of α-GalCer-mediated iNKT cell activation on sepsis development, immune responses were analyzed by flow cytometry using splenocytes and liver-infiltrating leukocytes. In addition, a STAT6 inhibitor (AS1517499) and an IL10 inhibitor (AS101) were employed to evaluate the involvement of IL4 or IL10 signaling. Furthermore, we performed B cell adoptive transfers to examine the contribution of α-GalCer-induced regulatory B (Breg) cell populations in sepsis protection. Results: In vivo α-GalCer pretreatment polarized iNKT cells towards IL4- and IL10-producing phenotypes, significantly attenuating LPS/D-GalN-induced septic lethality in WT B6 mice. Furthermore, α-GalCer pretreatment reduced the infiltration of immune cells to the liver and attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Treatment with a STAT6 inhibitor was unable to modulate disease progression, indicating that IL4 signaling did not significantly affect iNKT cell-mediated protection against sepsis. This finding was confirmed by pretreatment with OCH, which did not alter sepsis outcomes. However, interestingly, prophylactic effects of α-GalCer on sepsis were significantly suppressed by treatment with an IL10 antagonist, suggesting induction of IL10-dependent anti-inflammatory responses. In addition to IL10-producing iNKT cells, IL10-producing B cell populations were significantly increased after α-GalCer pretreatment. Conclusion: Overall, our results identify α-GalCer-mediated induction of IL10 by iNKT and B cells as a promising option for controlling the pathogenesis of postoperative sepsis.

Nano-Sized Graphene Oxide Attenuates Ovalbumin/Alum-Induced Skin Inflammation by Down-Regulating Th2 Immune Responses in Balb/c Mice.

Graphene oxide (GO), a carbon-based material with oxygen-containing functional groups, can be applied in biomedicine for drug delivery, cancer therapy, and tissue regeneration. We have previously shown that nanoscale-sized graphene oxide (NGO), an oxidized graphene derivative, exhibits effective anti-inflammatory activity in a murine model of sepsis mediated by T helper (Th)1-promoting cytokines such as IFNγ and TNFα. However, whether NGO influences Th2-induced skin inflammation remains unclear. To address this issue, we employed an ovalbumin (OVA) plus aluminum hydroxide (Alum)-induced Th2-mediated skin inflammation model in conjunction with OVA-specific DO11.10 T cell receptor transgenic Balb/c mice. In vivo NGO injection upon OVA/Alum sensitization down-regulated OVA-elicited antigen-specific Th2 cells and GATA3-expressing Th2-type regulatory T cells. Next, we examined the effect of NGO injection on OVA/Alum-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin inflammation. NGO-injected mice exhibited significantly decreased Th2 disease phenotypes (e.g., a lower clinical score, decreased epidermal thickness and Th2 cell differentiation, and fewer infiltrated mast cells and basophils in skin lesions) compared with vehicle-injected control mice. Overall, our results suggest that NGOs are promising therapeutic materials for treating allergic diseases such as AD.

Alpha-galactosylceramide pre-treatment attenuates clinical symptoms of LPS-induced acute neuroinflammation by converting pathogenic iNKT cells to anti-inflammatory iNKT10 cells in the brain.

BACKGROUND: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells play protective or pathogenic roles in a variety of immune and inflammatory diseases. However, whether iNKT cells contribute to the progression of acute neuroinflammation remains unclear. Thus, we addressed this question with a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute neuroinflammation. METHODS: For induction of acute neuroinflammation, wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 (B6) mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with LPS for either three or five consecutive days, and then these mice were analyzed for brain-infiltrating leukocytes or mouse behaviors, respectively. To examine the role of iNKT cell activation in LPS-induced neuroinflammation, mice were injected i.p. with the iNKT cell agonist α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) seven days prior to LPS treatment. Immune cells infiltrated into the brain during LPS-induced neuroinflammation were determined by flow cytometry. In addition, LPS-induced clinical behavior symptoms such as depressive-like behavior and memory impairment in mice were evaluated by the open field and Y-maze tests, respectively. RESULTS: We found that iNKT cell-deficient Jα18 mutant mice display delayed disease progression and decreased leukocyte infiltration into the brain compared with WT mice, indicating that iNKT cells contribute to the pathogenesis of LPS-induced neuroinflammation. Since it has been reported that pre-treatment with α-GalCer, an iNKT cell agonist, can convert iNKT cells towards anti-inflammatory phenotypes, we next explored whether pre-activation of iNKT cells with α-GalCer can regulate LPS-induced neuroinflammation. Strikingly, we found that α-GalCer pre-treatment significantly delays the onset of clinical symptoms, including depression-like behavior and memory impairment, while decreasing brain infiltration of pro-inflammatory natural killer cells and neutrophils, in this model of LPS-induced neuroinflammation. Such anti-inflammatory effects of α-GalCer pre-treatment closely correlated with iNKT cell polarization towards IL4- and IL10-producing phenotypes. Furthermore, α-GalCer pre-treatment restored the expression of suppressive markers on brain regulatory T cells during LPS-induced neuroinflammation. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide strong evidence that α-GalCer-induced pre-activation of iNKT cells expands iNKT10 cells, mitigating depressive-like behaviors and brain infiltration of inflammatory immune cells induced by LPS-induced acute neuroinflammation. Thus, we suggest the prophylactic potential of iNKT cells and α-GalCer against acute neuroinflammation.

Tebuconazole Induces Mouse Fetal Testes Damage via ROS Generation in an Organ Culture Method.

The fungicide tebuconazole (TEB) poses risks to human and animal health via various exposure routes. It induces toxicity in multiple organs and disrupts reproductive health by affecting steroid hormone synthesis and fetal development. In this study, we investigated the impact of TEB on fetal testes using in vitro models, focusing on germ, Sertoli, and Leydig cells, and explored the mechanisms underlying cellular damage. The results revealed significant damage to germ cells and disruption of Leydig cell development. TEB exposure led to a decrease in germ cell numbers, as indicated by histological and immunostaining analyses. TEB induced the up- and down-regulation of the expression of fetal and adult Leydig cell markers, respectively. Additionally, TEB-treated fetal testes exhibited increased expression of oxidative-stress-related genes and proteins. However, co-treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine mitigated TEB-induced germ cell damage and prevented abnormal Leydig cell development. These findings suggest that administration of antioxidants can prevent the intratesticular damage typically caused by TEB exposure.

Assessing the Efficacy of Acanthoic Acid Isolated from Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai in Male Infertility: An In Vivo and In Silico Approach.

Acanthoic acid, a diterpene isolated from the root bark of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai, possesses diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, gastrointestinal protection, and cardiovascular protection. This study is the first to investigate the egg-hatching rates of Drosophila melanogaster affected by acanthoic acid. Notably, male flies supplemented with 10 µM acanthoic acid exhibited a strong increase in hatching rates compared with controls under adverse temperature conditions, suggesting a potential protective effect against environmental stressors. Molecular docking simulations revealed the binding affinities and specific interactions between acanthoic acid and proteins related to male infertility, including SHBG, ADAM17, and DNase I, with binding affinity values of -10.2, -6.8, and -5.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Following the docking studies, molecular dynamic simulations were conducted for a duration of 100 ns to examine the stability of these interactions. Additionally, a total binding energy analysis and decomposition analysis offered insights into the underlying energetic components and identified key contributing residues.

Vimentin-mediated buffering of internal integrin ß1 pool increases survival of cells from anoikis.

BACKGROUND: The intermediate filament protein vimentin is widely recognized as a molecular marker of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Although vimentin expression is strongly associated with cancer metastatic potential, the exact role of vimentin in cancer metastasis and the underlying mechanism of its pro-metastatic functions remain unclear. RESULTS: This study revealed that vimentin can enhance integrin ß1 surface expression and induce integrin-dependent clustering of cells, shielding them against anoikis cell death. The increased integrin ß1 surface expression in suspended cells was caused by vimentin-mediated protection of the internal integrin ß1 pool against lysosomal degradation. Additionally, cell detachment was found to induce vimentin Ser38 phosphorylation, allowing the translocation of internal integrin ß1 to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, the use of an inhibitor of p21-activated kinase PAK1, one of the kinases responsible for vimentin Ser38 phosphorylation, significantly reduced cancer metastasis in animal models. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that vimentin can act as an integrin buffer, storing internalized integrin ß1 and releasing it when needed. Overall, this study provides insights regarding the strong correlation between vimentin expression and cancer metastasis and a basis for blocking metastasis using this novel therapeutic mechanism.

Patterns of Multiple Organ Dysfunction and Renal Recovery in Critically Ill Children and Young Adults Receiving Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (AKI-D) commonly occurs in the setting of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is the modality of choice for AKI-D. Mid-term outcomes of pediatric AKI-D supported with CRRT are unknown. We aimed to describe the pattern and impact of organ dysfunction on renal outcomes in critically ill children and young adults with AKI-D. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Two large quarternary care pediatric hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients 26 y old or younger who received CRRT from 2014 to 2020, excluding patients with chronic kidney disease. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Organ dysfunction was assessed using the Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2 (PELOD-2) score. MODS was defined as greater than or equal to two organ dysfunctions. The primary outcome was major adverse kidney events at 30 days (MAKE30) (decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate greater than or equal to 25% from baseline, need for renal replacement therapy, and death). Three hundred seventy-three patients, 50% female, with a median age of 84 mo (interquartile range [IQR] 16-172) were analyzed. PELOD-2 increased from 6 (IQR 3-9) to 9 (IQR 7-12) between ICU admission and CRRT initiation. Ninety-seven percent of patients developed MODS at CRRT start and 266 patients (71%) had MAKE30. Acute kidney injury (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.55 [IQR 2.13-5.90]), neurologic (aOR 2.07 [IQR 1.15-3.74]), hematologic/oncologic dysfunction (aOR 2.27 [IQR 1.32-3.91]) at CRRT start, and progressive MODS (aOR 1.11 [IQR 1.03-1.19]) were independently associated with MAKE30. CONCLUSIONS: Ninety percent of critically ill children and young adults with AKI-D develop MODS by the start of CRRT. Lack of renal recovery is associated with specific extrarenal organ dysfunction and progressive multiple organ dysfunction. Currently available extrarenal organ support strategies, such as therapeutic plasma exchange lung-protective ventilation, and other modifiable risk factors, should be incorporated into clinical trial design when investigating renal recovery.

Anticancer Effects of Mitoquinone via Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Canine Mammary Gland Tumor Cells.

Treating female canine mammary gland tumors is crucial owing to their propensity for rapid progression and metastasis, significantly impacting the overall health and well-being of dogs. Mitoquinone (MitoQ), an antioxidant, has shown promise in inhibiting the migration, invasion, and clonogenicity of human breast cancer cells. Thus, we investigated MitoQ's potential anticancer properties against canine mammary gland tumor cells, CMT-U27 and CF41.Mg. MitoQ markedly suppressed the proliferation and migration of both CMT-U27 and CF41.Mg cells and induced apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment with MitoQ led to increased levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, including cleaved-caspase3, BAX, and phospho-p53. Cell cycle analysis revealed that MitoQ hindered cell progression in the G1 and S phases in CMT-U27 and CF41.Mg cells. These findings were supported using western blot analysis, demonstrating elevated levels of cleaved caspase-3, a hallmark of apoptosis, and decreased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2 and cyclin D4, pivotal regulators of the cell cycle. In conclusion, MitoQ exhibits in vitro antitumor effects by inducing apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle in canine mammary gland tumors, suggesting its potential as a preventive or therapeutic agent against canine mammary cancer.

Diuron-induced fetal Leydig cell dysfunction in in vitro organ cultured fetal testes.

Diuron is a phenylurea herbicide widely used in the agricultural industry. In recent years, the risk of infertility and developmental defects has increased due to exposure to environmental pollutants. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of diuron in fetal mouse testes using three-dimensional organ cultures. Fetal testes derived from embryonic day (E) 14.5 were cultured with 200 µM diuron for 5 days. The results revealed that diuron did not impair fetal germ cell proliferation or the expression levels of germ cell markers such as Ddx4, Dazl, Oct 4, Nanog, Plzf, and TRA 98. Similarly, the gene or protein expression of the Sertoli cell markers Sox9 and Wt1 in diuron-exposed fetal testes did not change after 5 days of culture. In contrast, diuron increased fetal Leydig cell markers (FLC), Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, Thbs2, and Pdgf α, and decreased adult Leydig cell (ALC) markers, Sult1e1, Hsd173, Ptgds, and Vcam1. However, 3-ßHSD, an FLC and ALC marker, was consistently maintained upon exposure to diuron in fetal testes compared to non-treated groups. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that diuron negatively impacts Fetal Leydig cell development, although it does not affect germ and Sertoli cells.

7-Ketocholesterol plays a key role in cholesterol-induced hepatitis via macrophage and neutrophil infiltration.

This study sought to explore the role of 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) in liver damage caused by high cholesterol intake and its potential pathological mechanism in mice. Our in vivo findings indicated that mice fed a high-cholesterol diet had elevated serum levels of 7-KC, accompanied by liver injury and inflammation, similar to human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Furthermore, the high-cholesterol diet induced neutrophil infiltration, which played a critical role in liver damage through myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Upon stimulation with 7-KC, macrophages exhibited increased expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) and CXCL2, as well as ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and ABCG1. Hepatocytes, on the other hand, exhibited increased expression of CXCL2 and ABCG1. The infiltration of neutrophils in the liver was primarily caused by CXCL1 and CXCL2, resulting in hepatocyte cell death due to elevated MPO activity. Our data also revealed that the activation of macrophages by 7-KC via ABCA1 or ABCG1 was not associated with lipid accumulation. Collectively, these findings suggest that high cholesterol-induced hepatitis in mice involves, at least partially, the recruitment of neutrophils to the liver by 7-KC-activated macrophages. This is mediated by increased expression of CXCL1 and CXCL2 through ABCA1 or ABCG1, which act as 7-KC efflux transporters. Additionally, hepatocytes contribute to this process by increased expression of CXCL2 through ABCG1. Therefore, our findings suggest that 7-KC may play a role in high cholesterol-induced hepatitis in mice by activating macrophages and hepatocytes, ultimately leading to neutrophil infiltration.

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) Sprout Extract in RAW 264.7 Macrophages and a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Liver Injury Model.

Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli), a member of the cabbage family, is abundant with many nutrients, including vitamins, potassium, fiber, minerals, and phytochemicals. Consequently, it has been used as a functional food additive to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. In the current study, the effects of sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extract (BSE) on the inflammatory response were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Comparative high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of sulforaphane content from different extracts revealed that 70% ethanolic BSE contained more sulforaphane than the other extracts. qPCR and enzyme immunoassay analyses revealed that BSE markedly reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators, including cyclooxygenase 2, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Pretreatment with BSE improved the survival rate and suppressed alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase expression in LPS-induced endotoxemic mice, while proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and iNOS decreased dramatically in the LPS-induced liver injury model via BSE treatment. Additionally, F4/80 immunostaining showed that BSE suppressed hepatic macrophage infiltration in the liver after lipopolysaccharide injection. In conclusion, BSE may be a potential nutraceutical for preventing and regulating excessive immune responses in inflammatory disease.

Methyl-TWAS: A powerful method for in silico transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) using long-range DNA methylation.

In silico transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) are commonly used to test whether expression of specific genes is linked to a complex trait. However, genotype-based in silico TWAS such as PrediXcan, exhibit low prediction accuracy for a majority of genes because genotypic data lack tissue- and disease-specificity and are not affected by the environment. Because methylation is tissue-specific and, like gene expression, can be modified by environment or disease status, methylation should predict gene expression with more accuracy than SNPs. Therefore, we propose Methyl-TWAS, the first approach that utilizes long-range methylation markers to impute gene expression for in silico TWAS through penalized regression. Methyl-TWAS 1) predicts epigenetically regulated/associated expression (eGReX), which incorporates tissue-specific expression and both genetically- (GReX) and environmentally-regulated expression to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that could not be identified by genotype-based methods; and 2) incorporates both cis- and trans- CpGs, including various regulatory regions to identify DEGs that would be missed using cis- methylation only. Methyl-TWAS outperforms PrediXcan and two other methods in imputing gene expression in the nasal epithelium, particularly for immunity-related genes and DEGs in atopic asthma. Methyl-TWAS identified 3,681 (85.2%) of the 4,316 DEGs identified in a previous TWAS of atopic asthma using measured expression, while PrediXcan could not identify any gene. Methyl-TWAS also outperforms PrediXcan for expression imputation as well as in silico TWAS in white blood cells. Methyl-TWAS is a valuable tool for in silico TWAS, leveraging a growing body of publicly available genome-wide DNA methylation data for a variety of human tissues.

Effects of Melatonin on Liver of D-Galactose-Induced Aged Mouse Model.

Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland of vertebrates, regulates sleep, blood pressure, and circadian and seasonal rhythms, and acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. We investigated the protective effects of melatonin against markers of D-galactose (D-Gal)-induced hepatocellular aging, including liver inflammation, hepatocyte structural damage, and non-alcoholic fatty liver. Mice were divided into four groups: phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, control), D-Gal (200 mg/kg/day), melatonin (20 mg/kg), and D-Gal (200 mg/kg) and melatonin (20 mg) cotreatment. The treatments were administered once daily for eight consecutive weeks. Melatonin treatment alleviated D-Gal-induced hepatocyte impairment. The AST level was significantly increased in the D-Gal-treated groups compared to that in the control group, while the ALT level was decreased compared to the melatonin and D-Gal cotreated group. Inflammatory genes, such as IL1-ß, NF-κB, IL-6, TNFα, and iNOS, were significantly increased in the D-Gal aging model, whereas the expression levels of these genes were low in the D-Gal and melatonin cotreated group. Interestingly, the expression levels of hepatic steatosis-related genes, such as LXRα, C/EBPα, PPARα, ACC, ACOX1, and CPT-1, were markedly decreased in the D-Gal and melatonin cotreated group. These results suggest that melatonin suppresses hepatic steatosis and inflammation in a mouse model of D-Gal-induced aging.

In Vivo Zymosan Treatment Induces IL15-Secreting Macrophages and KLRG1-Expressing NK Cells in Mice.

Beta-glucan (ß-glucan) is a natural polysaccharide produced by fungi, bacteria, and plants. Although it has been reported that ß-glucan enhances innate immune memory responses, it is unclear whether different types of ß-glucans display similar immune effects. To address this issue, we employed zymosan (ß-1,3-glycosidic linkage) and pustulan (ß-1,6-glycosidic linkage) to investigate their in vivo effects on innate memory immune responses. We examined the changes of innate memory-related markers in macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, two immune cell types that display innate memory characteristics, at two different time points (16 h and 7 days) after ß-glucan stimulation. We found that short-term (16 h) zymosan treatment significantly induced macrophages to upregulate IL15 production and increased surface IL15Rα expression on NK cells. In addition, long-term (7 days) zymosan treatment significantly induced macrophages to upregulate the expression of innate memory-related markers (e.g., TNFα, HIF1α, and mTOR) and induced NK cells to express enhanced levels of KLRG1, known as an innate memory-like marker. Our results provide support that zymosan can be an effective adjuvant to promote innate memory immune responses, providing a bridge between innate and adaptive immune cells to enhance various immune responses such as those directed against tumors.

How Service Employees' Mindfulness Links to Task Performance through Psychological Resilience, Deep Acting, and Customer-Oriented Behavior.

This study investigates the specific pathways through which mindfulness influences task performance, focusing on the sequential mediating roles of psychological resilience, customer-oriented behavior, and deep acting. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze data collected from 359 employees in the service industry in Korea. The results confirm that mindfulness has a significant direct and indirect relationship with task performance. Improved resilience through mindfulness can be the basis for fostering customer-oriented behavior and deep acting, which sequentially enhance task performance. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of how mindfulness leads to improvements in task performance and highlights the significance of mindfulness for both customers and service employees. It also expands the existing knowledge of mindfulness by empirically integrating resilience, customer-oriented behavior, and deep acting, which have not been extensively studied in mindfulness research. The findings have practical implications from a managerial perspective, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness resources in the workplace.

T-2 mycotoxin Induces male germ cell apoptosis by ROS-mediated JNK/p38 MAPK pathway.

T-2 mycotoxin, a type A trichothecene toxin that, specifically, causes male and female reproductive toxicity. We evaluated T-2 toxin toxicity in testes from neonatal testes after in vitro tissue cultured. Additionally, current study focuses on the molecular mechanism of toxicity and germ cell damage in GC-1 spermatogonial cells. Mouse testicular fragments were subjected to T-2 toxin (0-20 nM) during days 5 of in vitro culture. Testicular germ cell number were reduced and downregulated the expression of corresponding markers depending on the exposure concentration of T-2 toxin; however, Sertoli cell markers and steroidogenic enzyme expression increased when treated with 20 nM T-2 toxin. The cell viability decreased, apoptosis increased, and pro-apoptotic protein expression increased in 5-20 nM T-2 toxin-exposed spermatogonia. Moreover, T-2 toxin generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induced mitochondrial dysfunction, indicating that activation of p38 MAPK signaling triggered by ROS is involved in the apoptotic molecular mechanism of T-2 toxin. T-2 toxin induced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, c-Jun, JNK/SAPK, p38, and p53, and the subsequent inhibition of AKT phosphorylation. The upregulation of genes related to apoptosis and MAPK/JNK signaling was consistently observed in cells exposed to T-2 toxin. These results indicate that T-2 toxin triggers apoptotic cell death in germ cells through the triggering of ROS-mediated JNK/p38-MAPK signaling pathways.

The effects of physical exercise therapy on weight control: its regulation of adipocyte physiology and metabolic capacity.

Factors associated with increased body mass, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, vascular endothelial dysfunction and sleep disorders, may contribute to the exacerbation of cardiovascular disease. These health problems associated with obesity are caused by accumulated metabolism and physical and emotional stress. Lifestyle, especially exercise, is a major therapeutic strategy for the treatment and management of obesity-induced metabolic problems. Metabolic disease often co-occurs with abdominal obesity. Exercise is necessary for the treatment of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A potential benefit of exercise is to promote fat burning and energy use increases both during exercise itself and in the post-exercise period. Exercise suppresses basal metabolic rate and also has many health benefits. Why should we exercise to lose weight? Does physical activity help lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar? In this article, we review the positive effects of physical exercise on weight maintenance and weight loss, and the effectiveness of physical exercise on the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome.

IL-7 Deficiency Exacerbates Atopic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice.

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) plays a vital role in the homeostasis of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Although IL-7 has been implicated in T helper (Th)1- and Th17-mediated autoinflammatory diseases, its role in Th2-type allergic disorders, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), remains unclear. Thus, to elucidate the effects of IL-7 deficiency on AD development, we generated IL-7-deficient AD-prone mice by backcrossing IL-7 knockout (KO) B6 mice onto the NC/Nga (NC) mouse strain, a model for human AD. As expected, IL-7 KO NC mice displayed defective development of conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared with wild type (WT) NC mice. However, IL-7 KO NC mice presented with enhanced AD clinical scores, IgE hyperproduction, and increased epidermal thickness compared with WT NC mice. Moreover, IL-7 deficiency decreased Th1, Th17, and IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells but increased Th2 cells in the spleen of NC mice, indicating that a reduced Th1/Th2 ratio correlates with severity of AD pathogenesis. Furthermore, significantly more basophils and mast cells infiltrated the skin lesions of IL-7 KO NC mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that IL-7 could be a useful therapeutic target for treating Th2-mediated skin inflammations, such as AD.