Effects of noise exposure on stress hormone changes during task performance in young Korean men: quasi-experimental study.

Numerous studies have suggested that noise exposure might be associated with changes in stress hormone levels. However, quantitative evidence for these effects in humans is rare and remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of exposure to noise and its different levels on stress hormone changes in task performance. Quasi-experimental noise exposure environment was established for 90 male university student volunteers in their twenties, and each was exposed to different noise levels during task performance. The stress hormones tested included cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), adrenaline, and noradrenaline. A one-way ANOVA was performed to investigate differences in hormone levels measured in the three groups according to the noise exposure levels (35, 45, or 75 dB). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to adjust for confounding factors that might affect hormone levels. After adjusting for confounders, significant exposure-dependent differences were found in hormone levels in salivary cortisol, serum cortisol, serum ACTH, and serum adrenaline. The amount of hormonal increase in 75 dB exposure group compared to 35 or 45 dB groups was detected. Similar results were also seen in the rate of change analysis. Our findings indicate that short-term noise exposure during task performance elevates stress hormone levels. Further, the extent of stress hormone alterations varies with noise exposure levels. Changes in hormone levels are an objective measure that may be used to identify health effects and stress responses in various noise environments.

Distribution of volatile organic compounds by distance from industrial complexes and potential health impact on the residents.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the air pollutants emitted from the petrochemical industry known to pose adverse health effects on workers. The database based on the third phase of The Environmental Health Study in the Korean National Industrial Complexes (EHSNIC) in Ulsan conducted from 2018 to 2021 was used. Subjects were divided into the exposed and control group according to the estimated pollution level and distances from the industrial complexes. Ambient benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were significantly higher in the exposed group compared to the controls, as well as their metabolites. Risk of chronic disease and atopic dermatitis was higher in the exposed group which was supported by higher serum inflammatory markers and high hazard index of the exposed region. These results can draw attention to people engaged with environmental plans and used as primary data when making policies to reduce pollutant levels around industrial complexes.

Adiponectin and 8-epi-PGF2α as intermediate influencing factors in weight reduction after legume consumption: a 12-week randomised controlled trial.

Legumes are rich sources of essential nutrients, and their potential health benefits were reported in many studies. Several studies showed a positive effect of legumes on obesity, but randomised clinical trials are limited in the Korean population. The present intervention study investigated the impact of legumes on body weight in obese Korean subjects. A total of 400 participants (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) were randomised into two groups. The legume-enriched diet (LD) group replaced one-third of their refined rice consumption with legumes three times per day as a carbohydrate source. In contrast, the usual diet (UD) group consumed their UD. The mean weight loss at 12 weeks was 2·87 (sem 0·21) kg and 0·17 (sem 0·11) kg in the LD and UD, respectively, which was significantly different between the groups (P < 0·001). HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin levels were increased, and levels of glucose, insulin, TAG, and 8-epi-PGF2α and the homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (IR) index value decreased at 12 weeks compared with baseline in the LD. The consumption of legumes may accelerate weight loss accompanied by regulation of adiponectin and 8-epi-PGF2α in obese subjects. In particular, legumes seemed to induce significant changes in BMI by increasing adiponectin in females. Additionally, increases in plasma adiponectin due to greater substantial weight loss may be related to the improvement in IR.

Prevention of urethral fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor beta 1 using selective Wnt/ß-catenin signaling inhibitors in a rat model.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the anti-fibrotic effects of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling inhibitors on urethral stricture. METHODS: Human fibroblasts were exposed to transforming growth factor beta 1 combined with various concentrations of Wnt/ß-catenin inhibitors (ICG-001, IWR-1, and PRI-724), and cell proliferation and migration were evaluated. Urethral fibrosis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by urethral injection of transforming growth factor beta 1 and co-treatement with inhibitors. Urethral tissues were harvested 2 weeks after the injection. The messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression was examined for fibrosis markers Axin-1, collagen type 1, alpha smooth muscle actin, and ß-catenin. Histological analysis of fibrosis and collagen deposition was also performed. RESULTS: Cell migration was ameliorated by ICG-001 and PRI-724. Protein and messenger ribonucleic acid expression of collagen type 1 and alpha smooth muscle actin in transforming growth factor beta 1-treated fibroblasts decreased in a concentration-dependent manner with the ICG-001 and PRI-724 treatments (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes with the IWR-1 treatment. Collagen type I and alpha smooth muscle actin messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression were both significantly increased in the urethral tissues of rats with transforming growth factor beta 1-induced urethral fibrosis. Rats co-treated with ICG-001 or PRI-724 showed relatively mild fibrosis and significantly reduced collagen type I and alpha smooth muscle actin messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ICG-001 and PRI-724 significantly ameliorated urethral fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor beta 1 in rats. These results suggest that ICG-001 and PRI-724 can be developed as therapeutics for treating urethral stricture.

2-Methoxyestradiol Inhibits Radiation-Induced Skin Injuries.

Radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) is a main side effect of radiotherapy for cancer patients, with vascular damage being a common pathogenesis of acute and chronic RISI. Despite the severity of RISI, there are few treatments for it that are in clinical use. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) has been reported to regulate the radiation-induced vascular endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Thus, we investigated 2-ME as a potent anti-cancer and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) inhibitor drug that prevents RISI by targeting HIF-1α. 2-ME treatment prior to and post irradiation inhibited RISI on the skin of C57/BL6 mice. 2-ME also reduced radiation-induced inflammation, skin thickness, and vascular fibrosis. In particular, post-treatment with 2-ME after irradiation repaired the damaged vessels on the irradiated dermal skin, inhibiting endothelial HIF-1α expression. In addition to the increase in vascular density, post-treatment with 2-ME showed fibrotic changes in residual vessels with SMA+CD31+ on the irradiated skin. Furthermore, 2-ME significantly inhibited fibrotic changes and accumulated DNA damage in irradiated human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Therefore, we suggest that 2-ME may be a potent therapeutic agent for RISI.

A Michael Acceptor Analogue, SKSI-0412, Down-Regulates Inflammation and Proliferation Factors through Suppressing Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling in IL-17A-Induced Human Keratinocyte.

The activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), as well as up-regulation of cytokines and growth factors to promote STAT3 activation, have been found in the epidermis of psoriatic lesions. Recently, a series of synthetic compounds possessing the Michael acceptor have been reported as STAT3 inhibitors by covalently binding to cysteine of STAT3. We synthesized a Michael acceptor analog, SKSI-0412, and confirmed the binding affinity between STAT3 and SKSI-0412. We hypothesized that the SKSI-0412 can inhibit interleukin (IL)-17A-induced inflammation in keratinocytes. The introduction of IL-17A increased the phosphorylation of STAT3 in keratinocytes, whereas the inactivation of STAT3 by SKSI-0412 reduced IL-17A-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and IκBζ expression. In addition, human ß defensin-2 and S100A7, which are regulated by IκBζ, were significantly decreased with SKSI-0412 administration. We also confirmed that SKSI-0412 regulates cell proliferation, which is the major phenotype of psoriasis. Based on these results, we suggest targeting STAT3 with SKSI-0412 as a novel therapeutic strategy to regulate IL-17A-induced psoriatic inflammation in keratinocytes.

Concise Synthesis of Catechin Metabolites 5-(3',4'-Dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactones (DHPV) in Optically Pure Form and Their Stereochemical Effects on Skin Wrinkle-Reducing Activities.

A concise and scalable synthetic route for optically pure (4S) and (4R)-5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactones (DHPVs), catechin metabolites, has been developed via the efficient construction of a γ-valerolactone moiety from hexenol. Noticeably, the different skin wrinkle-reducing activities of each metabolite were revealed via our unique syntheses of DHPVs in an enantiomerically pure form.

An indoxyl compound 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl 1,3-diacetate, CAC-0982, suppresses activation of Fyn kinase in mast cells and IgE-mediated allergic responses in mice.

Mast cells, constituents of virtually all organs and tissues, are critical cells in IgE-mediated allergic responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of an indoxyl chromogenic compound, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl 1,3-diacetate, CAC-0982, on IgE-mediated mast cell activation and allergic responses in mice. CAC-0982 reversibly suppressed antigen-stimulated degranulation in murine mast cells (IC50, ~3.8µM) and human mast cells (IC50, ~3.0µM). CAC-0982 also inhibited the expression and secretion of IL-4 and TNF-α in mast cells. Furthermore, CAC-0982 suppressed the mast cell-mediated allergic responses in mice in a dose-dependent manner (ED50 27.9mg/kg). As for the mechanism, CAC-0982 largely suppressed the phosphorylation of Syk and its downstream signaling molecules, including LAT, Akt, Erk1/2, p38, and JNK. Notably, the tyrosine kinase assay of antigen-stimulated mast cells showed that CAC-0982 inhibited Fyn kinase, one of the upstream tyrosine kinases for Syk activation in mast cells. Taken together, these results suggest that CAC-0982 may be used as a new treatment for regulating IgE-mediated allergic diseases through the inhibition of the Fyn/Syk pathway in mast cells.

Rhamnus davurica leaf extract inhibits Fyn activation by antigen in mast cells for anti-allergic activity.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative herbal medicines are recently considered as a promising approach for treating various diseases. We screened approximately 100 plant extracts for anti-allergic activity. Rhamnus davurica leaf extract showed the most potent inhibitory effect on the activation of RBL-2H3 mast cells. Although Rhamnus davurica extract has been used to treat pruritus, dysuresia, and constipation as a traditional herbal medicine in some Asian countries, an anti-allergic effect of Rhamnus davurica has not yet been demonstrated. We aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of the leaf extract of Rhamnus davurica (LERD) on mast cells in vitro and allergic responses in vivo. METHODS: The effects of LERD on the activation of mast cells and mast cell-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) were measured in mice and two types of mast cells, mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and RBL-2H3 cells in vitro. A mechanistic study of its inhibitory effect was performed by using degranulation assay, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blotting analysis. RESULTS: LERD reversibly suppressed antigen-stimulated degranulation in BMMCs and RBL-2H3 cells, and also inhibited mRNA expression and secretion of TNF-α and IL-4 in a dose-dependent manner. In a PCA animal model, LERD significantly inhibited antigen-induced allergic response and degranulation of ear tissue mast cells. As for the mechanism of action, LERD inhibited the activation of Syk, which is the pivotal signaling protein for mast cell activation by antigen. Furthermore, LERD also impeded the activations of well-known downstream proteins such as LAT, Akt and three MAP kinases (Erk, p38 and JNK). In an in vitro kinase assay, LERD suppressed the activation of Fyn in antigen-stimulated mast cells. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated for the first time that LERD has anti-allergic effects through inhibiting the Fyn/Syk pathway in mast cells. Therefore, this study provides scientific evidence for LERD to be used as an herbal medicine or health food for patients with allergic diseases.

Over-expression of PsGPD, a mushroom glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene, enhances salt tolerance in rice plants.

Transgenic potatoes expressing glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD), isolated from the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sajor-caju, had increased tolerance to salt stress (Jeong et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 278:192-196, 2000). To examine the physiological mechanisms enhancing salt tolerance in GPD-transgenic rice plants, the salt tolerance of five GPD transgenic rice lines (T1-T5) derived from Dongjin rice cultivar were evaluated in a fixed 150 mM saline environment in comparison to two known wild-type rice cultivars, Dongjin (salt sensitive) and Pokali (salt tolerant). Transgenic lines, T2, T3, and T5, had a substantial increase in biomass and relative water content compared to Dongjin. Stomatal conductance and osmotic potential were higher in the GPD transgenic lines and were similar to those in Pokali. The results are discussed based on the comparative physiological response of GPD transgenic lines with those of the salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant rice cultivars.

DJ-1 regulates mast cell activation and IgE-mediated allergic responses.

BACKGROUND: DJ-1 is an antioxidant protein known to reduce levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but its presence or function in mast cells and allergic diseases is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the role and mechanism of DJ-1 in allergic responses in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: ROS and DJ-1 levels in serum or culture medium were measured with ELISA kits. The role of DJ-1 was evaluated in mast cell cultures and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in normal or DJ-1 knockout (KO) mice. The mechanism of DJ-1 action was examined by using immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, RT-PCR, and other molecular biological approaches. RESULTS: Patients with atopic dermatitis had increased levels of ROS and diminished levels of DJ-1. DJ-1 KO mice exhibited enhanced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and augmented ROS levels in sera and bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). Furthermore, antigen-induced degranulation and production of TNF-α and IL-4 were significantly amplified in DJ-1 KO and anti-DJ-1 small interfering RNA-transfected BMMCs compared with that seen in wild-type (WT) BMMCs. Studies with these cells and BMMCs transfected with small interfering RNAs against the phosphatases Src homology domain 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP) 1 and SHP-2 revealed that the DJ-1 KO phenotype could be attributed to suppression of SHP-1 activity and enhancement of SHP-2 activity, leading to strengthened signaling through linker for activation of T cells, phospholipase Cγ, and mitogen-activated protein kinases. CONCLUSIONS: A deficiency or constitutive activation of DJ-1 can have implications in mast cell-driven allergic diseases, such as asthma and anaphylaxis.

Cooking oil fume exposure and Lung-RADS distribution among school cafeteria workers of South Korea.

Background: Cooking oil fumes (COFs) from cooking with hot oil may contribute to the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Since 2021, occupational lung cancer for individual cafeteria workers has been recognized in South Korea. In this study, we aimed to identify the distribution of lung-imaging reporting and data system (Lung-RADS) among cafeteria workers and to determine factors related to Lung-RADS distribution. Methods: We included 203 female participants who underwent low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening at a university hospital and examined the following variables: age, smoking status, second-hand smoke, height, weight, and years of service, mask use, cooking time, heat source, and ventilation. We divided all participants into culinary and non-culinary workers. Binomial logistic regression was conducted to determine the risk factors on LDCT of Category ≥ 3, separately for the overall group and the culinary group. Results: In this study, Lung-RADS-positive occurred in 17 (8.4%) individuals, all of whom were culinary workers. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed and no variables were found to have a significant impact on Lung-RADS results. In the subgroup analysis, the Lung-RADS-positive, and -negative groups differed only in ventilation. Binary logistic regression showed that the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of the Lung-RADS-positive group for inappropriate ventilation at the workplace was 14.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.296-67.231) compared to appropriate ventilation as the reference, and the aOR for electric appliances at home was 4.59 (95% CI: 1.061-19.890) using liquid fuel as the reference. Conclusions: The rate of Lung-RADS-positive was significantly higher among culinary workers who performed actual cooking tasks than among nonculinary workers. In addition, appropriate ventilation at the workplace made the LDCT results differ. More research is needed to identify factors that might influence LDCT findings among culinary workers, including those in other occupations.

Triglyceride-Catabolizing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GBCC_F0227 Shows an Anti-Obesity Effect in a High-Fat-Diet-Induced C57BL/6 Mouse Obesity Model.

Given the recognized involvement of the gut microbiome in the development of obesity, considerable efforts are being made to discover probiotics capable of preventing and managing obesity. In this study, we report the discovery of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GBCC_F0227, isolated from fermented food, which exhibited superior triglyceride catabolism efficacy compared to L. plantarum WCSF1. Molecular analysis showed elevated expression levels of α/ß hydrolases with lipase activity (abH04, abH08_1, abH08_2, abH11_1, and abH11_2) in L. plantarum GBCC_F0227 compared to L. plantarum WCFS1, demonstrating its enhanced lipolytic activity. In a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced mouse obesity model, the administration of L. plantarum GBCC_F0227 mitigated weight gain, reduced blood triglycerides, and diminished fat mass. Furthermore, L. plantarum GBCC_F0227 upregulated adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue, indicative of favorable metabolic modulation, and showed robust growth and low cytotoxicity, underscoring its industrial viability. Therefore, our findings encourage the further investigation of L. plantarum GBCC_F0227's therapeutic applications for the prevention and treatment of obesity and associated metabolic diseases.

The Src family kinase Fgr is critical for activation of mast cells and IgE-mediated anaphylaxis in mice.

Mast cells are critical for various allergic disorders. Mast cells express Src family kinases, which relay positive and negative regulatory signals by Ag. Lyn, for example, initiates activating signaling events, but it also induces inhibitory signals. Fyn and Hck are reported to be positive regulators, but little is known about the roles of other Src kinases, including Fgr, in mast cells. In this study, we define the role of Fgr. Endogenous Fgr associates with FcεRI and promotes phosphorylation of Syk, Syk substrates, which include linkers for activation of T cells, SLP76, and Gab2, and downstream targets such as Akt and the MAPKs in Ag-stimulated mast cells. As a consequence, Fgr positively regulates degranulation, production of eicosanoids, and cytokines. Fgr and Fyn appeared to act in concert, as phosphorylation of Syk and degranulation are enhanced by overexpression of Fgr and further augmented by overexpression of Fyn but are suppressed by overexpression of Lyn. Moreover, knockdown of Fgr by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) further suppressed degranulation in Fyn-deficient bone marrow-derived mast cells. Overexpression of Fyn or Fgr restored phosphorylation of Syk and partially restored degranulation in Fyn-deficient cells. Additionally, knockdown of Fgr by siRNAs inhibited association of Syk with FcεRIγ as well as the tyrosine phosphorylation of FcεRIγ. Of note, the injection of Fgr siRNAs diminished the protein level of Fgr in mice and simultaneously inhibited IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. In conclusion, Fgr positively regulates mast cell through activation of Syk. These findings help clarify the interplay among Src family kinases and identify Fgr as a potential therapeutic target for allergic diseases.

Degranulation of Mast Cells as a Target for Drug Development.

Mast cells act as key effector cells of inflammatory responses through degranulation. Mast cell degranulation is induced by the activation of cell surface receptors, such as FcεRI, MRGPRX2/B2, and P2RX7. Each receptor, except FcεRI, varies in its expression pattern depending on the tissue, which contributes to their differing involvement in inflammatory responses depending on the site of occurrence. Focusing on the mechanism of allergic inflammatory responses by mast cells, this review will describe newly identified mast cell receptors in terms of their involvement in degranulation induction and patterns of tissue-specific expression. In addition, new drugs targeting mast cell degranulation for the treatment of allergy-related diseases will be introduced.

Effects of a supportive workplace environment on the success rate for smoking cessation camp.

Background: This study was conducted to identify the success rate for smoking cessation over time after participation in a therapeutic smoking cessation camp, and to identify how participant characteristics, including a supportive workplace environment for smoking cessation (SWESC), affect the success rate for smoking cessation. Methods: In all, 296 participants at smoking cessation camps in Ulsan between 2015 and 2020 were investigated. The success rates of smoking cessation after weeks 4, 6, 12, and 24 at camp were investigated. The participants were grouped as workers with an SWESC, and workers without an SWESC, and variables (age, education, household income, marital status, drinking, exercise, body mass index, morbidity, job, number of counseling sessions, cigarettes smoked per day and smoking initiation age) were investigated. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted at each time point. In addition, Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the variables affecting the success rate for smoking cessation over time. Results: The smoking cessation success rate of workers with an SWESC at week 24 (90.7%) was higher than that for workers without an SWESC (60.5%). Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between each variable and the success rates for smoking cessation at week 6, 12, and 24. SWESC was confirmed as significant (p < 0.05) variables for increased success rate for smoking cessation at all 3 time points. After adjusting for all variables, the Cox proportional hazards survival analysis showed a hazard ratio of 6.17 for SWESC (p < 0.001,; 95% confidence interval: 3.08-12.38). Conclusions: At a professional treatment smoking cessation camp, participants with an SWESC showed a significantly higher success rate for smoking cessation. Supportive workplace environment for workers' health is expected to be an important factor for smoking cessation projects as well as other health promotion projects at workplace.

Cannabidiol mediates epidermal terminal differentiation and redox homeostasis through aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent signaling.

BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in keratinocytes. However, the signaling pathway through which cannabidiol exerts its effect on keratinocytes or whether it can modulate keratinocyte differentiation has not been fully elucidated yet. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether cannabidiol modulates epidermal differentiation and scavenges reactive oxygen species through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in keratinocytes and epidermal equivalents. METHODS: We investigated the cannabidiol-induced activation of AhR using AhR luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence assays. We also analyzed whether keratinocyte differentiation and antioxidant activity are regulated by cannabidiol-induced AhR activation. RESULTS: In both keratinocytes and epidermal equivalents, cannabidiol increased both the mRNA and protein expression of filaggrin, involucrin, NRF2, and NQO1 and the mRNA expression of the AhR target genes, including CYP1A1 and aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor. Additionally, cannabidiol showed antioxidant activity that was attenuated by AhR knockdown or co-administration with an AhR antagonist. Moreover, cannabidiol increased the ratio of OVOL1/OVOL2 mRNA expression, which is a downstream regulator of AhR that mediates epidermal differentiation. In addition to increased expression of barrier-related proteins, cannabidiol-treated epidermal equivalent showed a more prominent granular layer than the control epidermis. The increased granular layer by cannabidiol was suppressed by the AhR antagonist. CONCLUSION: Cannabidiol can be a modulator of the AhR-OVOL1-filaggrin axis and AhR-NRF2-NQO1 signaling, thus indicating a potential use of cannabidiol in skin barrier enhancement and reducing oxidative stress.

Allergen-specific responses of CD19(+)CD5(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory B cells (Bregs) and CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cell (Tregs) in immune tolerance of cow milk allergy of late eczematous reactions.

Foxp3-expressing cells among CD19(+)CD5(+) B cells were identified as regulatory B cells. Food allergy manifesting as late eczematous reactions is regarded as a non-IgE-mediated food allergy. The diagnosis for milk allergy manifesting as late eczematous reactions was made on the basis of the findings obtained from a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge in patients with atopic dermatitis. Twelve patients with milk allergy and 12 patients who could tolerate milk were selected. On casein stimulation, the CD19(+)CD5(+)Foxp3(+) B cell (Breg) fraction in CD5(+) B cells decreased from 4.4±1.1% to 3.1±0.7% (P=0.047, n=12) in the milk allergy group and increased from 4.4±1.3% to 5.2±1.4% (P=0.001, n=10) in the milk-tolerant group. On the other hand, on allergen stimulation, the number of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the milk allergy group and milk-tolerant group increased from 2.6±0.7% to 3.4±0.6% (P=0.014, n=9) and from 2.7±1.0% to 3.5±1.0% (P=0.038, n=10), respectively. In conclusion, allergen-specific responses of Bregs, rather than those of Tregs, seem to influence the immune responses (i.e., allergy or tolerance) to a food allergen.

What Is the Role of Night-Time Noise Exposure in Childhood Allergic Disease?

The cause of the allergic disease is known to be multifactorial, and there is growing evidence of environmental factors triggering the disease. Indeed, it is essential to find modifiable environmental factors related to allergic disease. Noise is an environmental pollutant causing various health problems, especially when exposed during the night-time. This study assessed the impact of night-time noise exposure in allergic disease. Subjects were selected from a panel data survey containing questions on allergic disease and related factors. Incidence of allergic disease, covariates, and addresses was derived from survey questionnaires. By applying the Land Use Regression modeling method, each subject's night-time noise estimates were elicited based on the night-time noise level collected from the noise monitoring site. Association between night-time noise difference rate and incidence of asthma were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard regression. Incidence of allergic disease increased when night-time noise difference was positive compared to the negative difference. Additionally, the incidence of allergic disease increased by per interquartile range of night-time noise difference rate. The result showed that exposure to night-time noise tends to increase the risk of allergic disease. With further studies, the result of our study may serve as supplementary data when determining noise limits.

Structural and Functional Validation of a Full-Thickness Self-Assembled Skin Equivalent for Disease Modeling.

Recently, various types of in vitro-reconstructed 3D skin models have been developed for drug testing and disease modeling. Herein, we structurally and functionally validated a self-assembled reconstructed skin equivalent (RSE) and developed an IL-17a-induced in vitro psoriasis-like model using a self-assembled RSE. The tissue engineering approach was used to construct the self-assembled RSE. The dermal layer was generated using fibroblasts secreting their own ECM, and the epidermal layer was reconstructed by seeding keratinocytes on the dermal layer. To generate the psoriatic model, IL-17A was added to the culture medium during the air-liquid interface culture period. Self-assembled RSE resulted in a fully differentiated epidermal layer, a well-established basement membrane, and dermal collagen deposition. In addition, self-assembled RSE was tested for 20 reference chemicals according to the Performance Standard of OECD TG439 and showed overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100%, 90%, and 95%, respectively. The IL-17a-treated psoriatic RSE model exhibited psoriatic epidermal characteristics, such as epidermal hyperproliferation, parakeratosis, and increased expression of KRT6, KRT17, hBD2, and S100A9. Thus, our results suggest that a self-assembled RSE that structurally and functionally mimics the human skin has a great potential for testing various drugs or cosmetic ingredients and modeling inflammatory skin diseases.