Quantitative Assessment of the Heat Transfer Capacity of Ice Bags and their Cooling Effects on the Skin Surface and Core Temperature.

Ice bags are frequently used in medical care settings for pain relief, comfort, and in some cases, whole-body cooling. This study quantifies heat energy transfer capacity of ice bags and evaluates their cooling effects on body temperature. Forty-eight healthy adults in their 20s were recruited. An ice bag wrapped in two layers of dry towel was applied to the forehead, neck, or palm of each participant for 10 min. The skin surface temperature, heat flow, and core temperature were recorded during the cooling and non-cooling periods, with energy transfer calculated by integrating heat flow over time. Over the non-cooling period, 31.4-53.6 kJ·m-2 of energy was dissipated over 10 min, whereas during the cooling period, the range increased to 180.0-218.7 kJ·m-2 over 10 min. Skin surface temperature decreased by 3.2-5.7°C, whereas core temperature was unchanged. Ice bag use augmented energy transfer by about 150-180 kJ·m-2 over 10 min, but this was insufficient for rapid whole body cooling due to the small skin-surface area in contact with the ice bag. The measured energy transfer indicated that topical ice bag application absorbs insufficient energy to affect core temperature. Quantitative assessment of energy transfer was shown to inform the safe and appropriate use of thermotherapy.

Bone density estimation using tissue heat capacity.

Osteoporosis onset is relatively asymptomatic, the condition often being identified only once a significant fracture occurs, leading to a potentially serious prognosis. Currently, early identification of osteoporosis is complicated by the difficulty in measuring bone density without using x-ray absorptiometry or quantitative ultrasound, so a simpler method for estimating bone density is needed. Given that bone is reported to have a lower specific heat than other tissues, we investigated the possibility of estimating bone density using this difference in tissue thermal properties. The tibia medial surface (shin) and medial malleolus (ankle) of 68 healthy volunteers were cooled using an ice bag, and skin surface temperatures and heat flow were recorded. These measurements were then used to calculate the heat energy transferred per unit temperature. Bone density was estimated by quantitative ultrasound using the T score OSISD, which is the participant's osteo sono-assessment index (OSI) compared to the average OSI of young adults. The heat energy transfer per unit temperature at the shin, but not the ankle, showed a significant negative correlation with T score OSISD (r = -0.413, p = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that heat energy transfer per unit temperature at the shin was a significant predictor of T score OSISD, along with age and height. These results show that tissue thermal property measurements are useful for estimating bone density.

The relationship among factors of organizational justice, organizational citizenship behavior, job satisfaction, and ease of work among Japanese nurses.

AIM: This work is aimed to create a strategy to improve the nurses' working environment. BACKGROUND: As the working-age population is expected to decline in Japan, the maintenance of the nurse workforce is important. In order to create a strategy to improve the nurses' working environment, we studied the relationship among factors of organizational justice (procedural, distributive, and interactional justices), organizational citizenship behavior, job satisfaction, and ease of work. METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 969 nurses and 322 effective responses were analyzed (effective response rate 33.2%). The questionnaire contained demographic information, ease of work, and three scales for organizational justice, organizational citizenship behavior, and job satisfaction. The factor structure of the scales was studied using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the relationship among measurements. The protocol was approved by the ethical committee of the author's university. RESULTS: The final model showed a fair fit to the data (χ2 = 1803.15, df = 1014, p < 0.001, comparative fit index = 0.907, root mean square error of approximation = 0.049). Interactional justice showed the most significant correlation to job satisfaction (r = 0.590). Job satisfaction and ease of work also showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.696). Distributive justice had a slight negative indirect effect on job satisfaction, whereas procedural justice had no significant effect. CONCLUSION: In order to enhance job satisfaction/ease of work among Japanese nurses, improvement of interactional justice may be the best strategy.

Tapping enhances vasodilation for venipuncture even in individuals with veins that are relatively difficult to palpate.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated whether tapping enhances vasodilation in individuals with veins that are relatively difficult to palpate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty participants (4 men and 16 women, aged 19-22 years) with cutaneous veins that were relatively difficult to palpate even after tourniquet application were recruited. A crossover trial with/without tapping (10 times in 5 s) was performed under tourniquet inflation on the upper arm. Vasodilation was evaluated by venous cross-sectional area, depth of the vein, and elevation of the overlying skin by ultrasonography. Venous palpation scores were also measured. The degree of improvement was estimated by simulation. RESULTS: In total, 60% of participants "sometimes" or "often" experienced unsuccessful venipuncture. After the tapping procedure, the venous cross-sectional area significantly increased (14.6 ± 9.12 mm2 for control and 15.2 ± 9.79 mm2 for tapping) and venous depth significantly decreased (4.57 ± 2.31 mm for control and 4.23 ± 2.41 mm for tapping). A simulation study using these values suggested that tapping increased the longitudinal and crosswise successful ranges of venipuncture by 5-6%. CONCLUSIONS: Tapping in this study enhanced the vasodilation of cutaneous veins that are relatively difficult to palpate. The effectiveness of various vasodilation methods may be compared through the estimation of improvement.

Relationship among independence of daily living, human relationships, and preparation for bereavement among healthy elderly Japanese people.

BACKGROUND: Given Japan's rapidly ageing society, an increasing number of elderly people live in their communities with mutual support after the death of their spouse. The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship among independence of daily living, human relationships, and preparation for bereavement. METHODS: An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was given to 864 community-dwelling elderly people aged 65 and older who attended an Elderly Citizens' Welfare Study Group. A total of 404 responses (effective response ratio: 46.8%) were analyzed. Their mean ± SD age was 75.6 ± 5.1 years. The purpose of the questionnaire was to obtain demographic information as well as information about three scales: independence of daily living, human relationships, and preparation for bereavement. The factor structure of the scales was studied by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the relationship among independence of daily living, human relationships, and preparation for bereavement. This study's protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Okayama Prefectural University. RESULTS: Factor analysis indicated a three-factor second-order factor model for independence of daily living and human relationships and a one-factor model for preparation for bereavement. Structural equation modelling showed that independence of daily living was significantly correlated with human relationships (r = 0.261, P < 0.001), and human relationships was significantly correlated with preparation for bereavement (r = 0.295, P < 0.001). There was no significant direct correlation between the independence of daily living and preparation for bereavement. CONCLUSIONS: Encouraging elderly people to form good human relationships may help their preparation for bereavement. Further studies are required to determine whether this actually attenuates difficulties after bereavement.

Effects of Postprandial Body Position on Gastrointestinal Motility, the Autonomic Nervous System and Subjective Comfort.

We examined postprandial body positions' effects on gastrointestinal motility, the autonomic nervous system and subjective comfort, i.e., whether lowering the head after a meal is beneficial for gastrointestinal motility and the prevention of pressure ulcer. We examined 10 healthy subjects and compared 3 body positions: (1) Seated upright. (2) Lying on a bed with the head at 60° and knees up by 20° (60° position). (3) Identical to (2) until post-meal; the head was then lowered to 30° (60°-30° position). Gastrointestinal motility was assessed as gastrointestinal sounds measured by sound-editing software. Digital plethysmography assessed autonomic nerve function as heart rate variability. The pressure ulcer risk was estimated as subjective comfort/discomfort using a visual analog scale. Gastrointestinal sounds increased post-meal. The 60°-30° position showed the highest number of sounds and longest cumulative sound duration. Post-meal, sympathetic activation was suggested in the 60° position, whereas vagal activity was relatively preserved in the 60°-30° position. The 60°-30° position was the most comfortable, and the 60° position was least comfortable. Lowering the head after a meal is beneficial to augment gastrointestinal motility and decrease the pressure ulcer risk. The 60° head-up position increases the pressure ulcer risk.

Tapping but not massage enhances vasodilation and improves venous palpation of cutaneous veins.

This paper investigated whether tapping on the median cubital vein or massaging the forearm was more effective in obtaining better venous palpation for venipuncture. Forty healthy volunteers in their twenties were subjected to tapping (10 times in 5 sec) or massage (10 strokes in 20 sec from the wrist to the cubital fossa) under tourniquet inflation on the upper arm. Venous palpation was assessed using the venous palpation score (0-6, with 0 being impalpable). Three venous factors-venous depth, cross-sectional area, and elevation-were also measured using ultrasonography. The venous palpation score increased significantly by tapping but not by massage. Moreover, all 3 venous measurements changed significantly by tapping, while only the depth decreased significantly by massage. The three venous measurements correlated significantly with the venous palpation score, indicating that they are useful objective indicators for evaluating vasodilation. We suggest that tapping is an effective vasodilation technique.

The characteristics of healthy adults with hardly palpable vein--Relations between easy venous palpation and physical factors.

This study aimed to investigate relations between ease of venous palpation and various venous factors, and to elucidate characteristics of hardly palpable veins. Healthy adult volunteers (n = 110) were enrolled. The ease of venous palpation was scored from 0: impalpable to 3: well palpable. Venous factors, namely venous depth, elevation, area and minimal pressure that starts to collapse vein, were measured using an ultrasonography before and after tourniquet inflation at 60 mmHg for 60 s. Tourniquet inflation significantly increased the venous area and venous palpation score. The four venous factors correlated significantly with venous palpation score with the following correlation coefficient: Depth (r = -0.542), Elevation (0.486), area (0.258) and start-to-collapse pressure (-0.220). The characteristics of hardly palpable veins were small size, deep location and little elevation. Although vasodilatation facilitated venous palpation, venous depth and elevation were also important and should be included in future studies in which vasodilatation methods are evaluated.

Necrotic and apoptotic cells serve as nuclei for calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

A close relationship between cell death and pathological calcification has recently been reported, such as vascular calcification in atherosclerosis. However, the roles of cell death in calcification by osteoblast lineage have not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we investigated whether cell death is involved in the calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) under osteogenic culture in vitro. Apoptosis and necrosis occurred in an osteogenic culture of hMSC, and cell death preceded calcification. The generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, chromatin condensation and fragmentation, and caspase-3 activation increased in this culture. A pan-caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) and anti-oxidants (Tiron and n-acetylcysteine) inhibited osteogenic culture-induced cell death and calcification. Furthermore, calcification was significantly promoted by the addition of necrotic dead cells or its membrane fraction. Spontaneously dead cells by osteogenic culture and exogenously added necrotic cells were surrounded by calcium deposits. Induction of localized cell death by photodynamic treatment in the osteogenic culture resulted in co-localized calcification. These findings show that necrotic and apoptotic cell deaths were induced in an osteogenic culture of hMSC and indicated that both necrotic and apoptotic cells of osteoblast lineage served as nuclei for calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of hMSC in vitro.

Spred-2 deficiency exacerbates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

MAPKs are involved in acetaminophen (APAP)-hepatotoxicity, but the regulatory mechanism remains unknown. Here, we explored the role of Spred-2 that negatively regulates Ras/ERK pathway in APAP-hepatotoxicity. Spred-2 knockout (KO) mice demonstrated exacerbated liver injury, an event that was associated with increased numbers of CD4(+) T, CD8(+) T and NK cells in the liver compared to the control. Levels of CXCL9/CXCL10 that attract and activate these cells were increased in Spred-2 KO-liver. Kupffer cells isolated from Spred-2 KO mice after APAP challenge expressed higher levels of CXCL9/CXCL10 than those from the control. Upon stimulation with APAP or IFNγ, naïve Kupffer cells from Spred-2 KO mice expressed higher levels of CXCL9/CXCL10. NK cell-depletion attenuated APAP-hepatotoxicity with lowered hepatic IFNγ and decreased numbers of not only NK cells but also CD4(+) T and CD8(+) T cells in the liver. These results suggest that Spred-2 negatively regulates APAP-hepatotoxicity under the control of Kupffer cells and NK cells.

Favorable response of heavily treated Wilms' tumor to paclitaxel and carboplatin.

BACKGROUND: Heavily treated Wilms' tumor responding to the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin has not yet been reported. CASE REPORT: A 17-year-old man presented with hematuria. He received a diagnosis of Wilms' tumor with multiple lung metastases and was treated with preoperative chemotherapy including vincristine, dactinomycin, and doxorubicin, a right nephrectomy, and adjuvant chemotherapy, followed by pulmonary metastasectomy. During the next 8 years, he suffered from 4 relapses and has been treated with multiple anticancer agents including high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Finally, the disease progressed due to peritoneal and pleural metastases. With opioid administration for left shoulder pain due to pleural metastasis, he received combination chemotherapy with carboplatin (area under the curve = 4) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) on day 1. After 2 cycles, he achieved a partial response with mild toxicity. He received 7 cycles of the chemotherapy and the time to progression was 200 days. CONCLUSION: In a refractory case after intensive treatments, we succeeded to control the disease for a while.

A novel symbiotic relationship between ascidians and a new tunic-boring polychaete (Annelida: Spionidae: Polydora).

Polydora tunicola Abe, Hoshino Yamada, sp. nov., a new spionid species currently considered an obligate symbiont of styelid ascidians, is described based on materials collected from Polycarpa cf. cryptocarpa kroboja (Oka, 1906) and Cnemidocarpa sp. in Izu-Oshima Island and Polycarpa sp. in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Polychaeteascidian symbiotic relationships are known only in two syllid species: Myrianida pinnigera (Montagu, 1808) and Proceraea exoryxae Martin, Nygren Cruz-Rivera, 2017. The latter has been the only polychaete known to bore into the tunic of an ascidian. Polydora tunicola sp. nov. is the second known example of a tunic-boring polychaete, which constructs U-shaped burrows in the tunic of the host ascidians. Worms were often concentrated near the host siphons and assumed to use water currents created by the filter-feeding host for suspension feeding. Although the boring mechanism into ascidian tunica is unknown, the plate assay and zymography results consistently detected cellulase activities, suggesting that cellulose digestion may enable the worms to bore into the cellulose-rich ascidian tunics. Polydora tunicola sp. nov. is morphologically similar to P. aura Sato-Okoshi, 1998, P. cornuta Bosc, 1802, P. fusca Radashevsky Hsieh, 2000, P. glycymerica Radashevsky, 1993, P. latispinosa Blake Kudenov, 1978, P. lingulicola Abe Sato-Okoshi, 2020, P. nanomon Orensky Williams, 2009, P. robi Williams, 2000, and P. vulgaris Mohammad, 1972 in having a single median antenna on the caruncle and chaetiger 5 without dorsal superior capillaries but with ventral capillaries. The new species is unique in having a black-rimmed pygidium, distinguishing it from these species. The phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated 18S, 28S, and 16S sequences recovered P. tunicola sp. nov. as the sister species to P. aura within a well-supported clade also including P. lingulicola and P. cf. glycymerica. The bright yellow body color of P. tunicola sp. nov. in life is similar to that of P. aura, however, these two species are distinguished by the former not having modified posterior notochaetae. The symbiotic nature of the association between P. tunicola sp. nov. and styelid ascidians is discussed.

Serum-dependent export of protoporphyrin IX by ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 in T24 cells.

Accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in cancer cells is a basis of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-induced photodymanic therapy. We studied factors that affect PpIX accumulation in human urothelial carcinoma cell line T24, with particular emphasis on ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) and serum in the medium. When the medium had no fetal bovine serum (FBS), ALA induced PpIX accumulation in a time- and ALA concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of heme-synthesizing enzyme, ferrochelatase, by nitric oxide donor (Noc18) or deferoxamine resulted in a substantial increase in the cellular PpIX accumulation, whereas ABCG2 inhibition by fumitremorgin C or verapamil induced a slight PpIX increase. When the medium was added with FBS, cellular accumulation of PpIX stopped at a lower level with an increase of PpIX in the medium, which suggested PpIX efflux. ABCG2 inhibitors restored the cellular PpIX level to that of FBS(-) samples, whereas ferrochelatase inhibitors had little effects. Bovine serum albumin showed similar effects to FBS. Fluorescence microscopic observation revealed that inhibitors of ABC transporter affected the intracellular distribution of PpIX. These results indicated that ABCG2-mediated PpIX efflux was a major factor that prevented PpIX accumulation in cancer cells in the presence of serum. Inhibition of ABCG2 transporter system could be a new target for the improvement of photodynamic therapy.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer showing a complete histological response after S-1/CDDP neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

We experienced a case of advanced gastric cancer treated by curative operation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1/ CDDP. Gastric endoscopy was carried out on a 76-year-old man with epigastric discomfort and revealed a type 1 lesion in his stomach. Papillary adenocarcinoma was pathologically shown by endoscopic biopsy. The patient was initially treated by two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1/CDDP due to the large lymph node metastases around the lesser curvature of the stomach and celiac axis. Completion of chemotherapy resulted in a marked shrinkage of the primary lesion and a reduction of lymph node metastases. Later, total gastrectomy, splenectomy and D2 lymph node dissection were performed. Histopathological examination revealed no cancer cells in either the primary lesion of the stomach or dissected lymph nodes, confirming a pathologically complete response.

p66(Shc) has a pivotal function in impaired liver regeneration in aged mice by a redox-dependent mechanism.

Liver regeneration involves complicated processes and is affected by various patho-physiological conditions. This study was designed to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying the aging-associated impairment of liver regeneration. Male C57BL/6J mice were used as young and aged mice (<10 weeks and >20 months old, respectively). These mice were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy (PH). Liver regeneration and liver injury/stresses were evaluated chronologically after PH. Post-hepatectomy liver regeneration was markedly impaired in aged mice. Though the extent of hepatocyte proliferation in the regenerating liver was similar in aged and young mice, cell growth was absent in aged mice. Oxidative stress (OS) was observed immediately after hepatectomy, followed by marked apoptosis in aged mice. Signaling molecules regarding cell proliferation (mitogen-activated protein kinase, STAT3, p46/52(Shc)) and anti-oxidation (catalase, superoxide dismutase, Ref-1, glutathione peroxidase) were expressed/activated after hepatectomy in livers of both aged and young mice. Akt was not activated in aged-mouse liver, but its expression was similar to that in young mice. p66(Shc), known as an age-/oxidant-associated protein, was strongly phosphorylated. By knocking down p66(Shc), the impairment of liver regeneration was normalized. OS immediately after hepatectomy induced subsequent liver injury (apoptosis), and deletion of p66(Shc) suppressed both OS and hepatocyte apoptosis in the regenerating liver of aged mice. Though we need additional data in other animal models to fully understand the mechanism, p66(Shc) may have a pivotal function in the impairment of liver regeneration in aged mice by triggering OS and subsequent apoptosis. This data may provide a clue to understanding the mechanism underlying the association between aging and the impairment of liver regeneration.

Alpha-tocopheryl succinate induces rapid and reversible phosphatidylserine externalization in histiocytic lymphoma through the caspase-independent pathway.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization is a key feature of apoptotic cell death and plays an important role in clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytes. PS externalization during apoptosis is generally an irreversible event mediated by caspase activation and is accompanied by other apoptotic events. We report here that an apoptosis inducer alpha-tocopheryl succinate (TOS) can induce PS externalization that is independent of apoptosis and reversible in the absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells. In the presence of FBS, TOS induced PS externalization via a caspase-dependent mechanism accompanied by mitochondrial depolarization, cell shrinkage, increase of caspase-3 activity, and chromatin condensation. In contrast, in the absence of FBS, TOS induced the rapid PS externalization which was not accompanied by other apoptotic events. The PS externalization was reversible by removing TOS and was not involved in Ca(2+)-dependent scramblase activation and thiol oxidation of aminophospholipid translocase. A similar PS externalization was also induced by cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CS), the other succinate ester. These results suggested that the mechanism of TOS- and CS-induced PS externalization in the absence of FBS was different from it occurring during typical apoptosis.

Impact of Parents' Knowledge about the Development of Self-Esteem in Adolescents and Their Parenting Practice on the Self-Esteem and Suicidal Behavior of Urban High School Students in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents worldwide, self-esteem is a strong protective factor, and parents may be able to provide interventions. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine how parents can help enhance their adolescent's self-esteem and prevent suicidal behavior among adolescents in Nepal. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to adolescents aged 13-19 years and their parents at eight high schools in three provinces in Nepal (n = 575 pairs). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (bivariate and multivariate regression analyses). RESULTS: The mean self-esteem score of adolescents according to the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was 16.59, and the prevalence of suicidal behavior was 11.3%. Parent's knowledge about the development of self-esteem in adolescents was significantly positively related to parenting practice (communication, support, positive reinforcement, etc.) (B = 1.0, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.89-1.11) and authoritative parenting style (B = 0.2, 95% CI 0.15-0.25). Parental authoritativeness was positively associated with the self-esteem of their adolescents (B = 0.1, 95% CI 0.01-0.18), while adolescents with authoritarian parents were prone to suicidal risk behavior (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.19). CONCLUSION: Counseling to parents based on our findings would be helpful to enhance the self-esteem and prevent suicidal risk behavior in their adolescent children.

Self-esteem, perceived social support, social capital, and risk-behavior among urban high school adolescents in Nepal.

Adolescence is not only characterized by a period of exploration and experimentation but also by vulnerability to risk-behaviors (substance-use, suicidal behavior, and sexual behavior) that can have many negative consequences. Given the lack of studies in Nepal and the variable results from international studies on the association of self-esteem, perceived social support (PSS), and social capital (SC) with risk behaviors, this study aimed to assess the role of these factors by specifying different sources of PSS (family, friends, and others) and SC (family, school, and neighbors), and controlling for demographic, socioeconomic-status (SES), family, and school related factors. A total of 943 adolescents (grades 9-11) in 8 schools from 3 provinces in Nepal participated in the study, and were selected by multi-stage, cluster, random sampling. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire (response rate; 91.9%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis (<0.05 significance) revealed that family SC (OR = 0.83) and PSS from family (OR = 0.95) were negatively associated with substance-use. Self-esteem (OR = 0.90), family and school SC (OR = 0.80 and 0.91, respectively), and PSS from family and friends (OR = 0.95 and 0.96, respectively) were protective against suicidal risk. None of the independent variables showed a preventive association with sexual behavior, but self-esteem was positively associated (OR = 1.11). Therefore, to improve the likelihood of adolescents becoming healthy adults, family and school level interventions to enhance self-esteem, PSS, and SC are helpful in protecting them against substance use and suicidal behavior. On the other hand, adolescents with high self-esteem are at greater risk for inappropriate sexual behavior and should therefore be monitored.

Forced expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 in T cells protects the development of concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice.

T cells play central roles in liver diseases, but the regulatory mechanism by cytokine signaling is not well understood. In the present study, we explored the role of SOCS3 in T cells in concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis. Mice with T-cell-specific overexpression of SOCS3 (SOCS3-cTg) showed reduced hepatic damage and improved mice survival relative to the control, an event that was associated with decreased apoptotic signals Fas and pStat1. Expression of Th1-cytokines/chemokines was decreased in SOCS3-cTg liver with reduced expression of T-bet, a Th1-transcription factor. Flow cytometric analysis of the liver lymphocytes demonstrated that activated CD4(+) T cells, cytotoxic T cells and natural killer T cells were significantly decreased in SOCS3-cTg liver with decreased expression of perforin and granzyme B, injurious molecules for hepatocyte damage. These results suggest that forced expression of SOCS3 in T cells prevents ConA-induced liver injury by inhibiting several phases of Th1 responses.

Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase is essential for oxidative stress-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis by monochloramine.

Leukemic cell apoptosis may be enhanced by appropriate oxidative stress. We report here the mechanism of Jurkat cell apoptosis by monochloramine (NH(2)Cl), a neutrophil-derived oxidant. NH(2)Cl induced caspase-dependent apoptosis, which was preceded by cytochrome c and Smac/Diablo release from mitochondria. Within 10min of NH(2)Cl treatment, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) were observed. JNK inhibitors (SP600125 or JNK inhibitor VIII) significantly suppressed the apoptosis as well as caspase cleavage and cytochrome c release. In contrast, Ca(2+) chelation by EGTA+acetoxymethyl-EGTA had no effects on apoptosis. Our results indicated that JNK activation contributed most importantly to the NH(2)Cl-induced apoptosis.