Role of diesel exhaust particle-induced cellular senescence in the development of asthma in young and old mice.

BACKGROUND: Although it has been reported that cellular senescence is important in the pathogenesis of asthma, the differential effects of diesel exhaust particle (DEP)-induced cellular senescence on the development of asthma according to age have not been thoroughly studied. METHODS: We first confirmed that DEP induced cellular senescence in mouse lungs, and then that DEP-induced cellular senescence followed by intranasal instillation of a low-dose house dust mite (HDM) allergen resulted in murine asthma. Second, we examined age-dependent differential effects using 6-week-old (young) and 18-month-old mice (old), and tested whether the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays an important role in this process. Finally, we performed in vitro experiments using human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) originating from young and elderly adults to identify the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: DEP induced cellular senescence in the airway epithelial cells of young and old mice characterized by increased senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, S100A8/9, and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) expressions. DEP-induced cellular senescence with subsequent exposure to a low-dose HDM allergen resulted in asthma in young and old mice. Rapamycin (mTOR pathway inhibitor) administration before DEP instillation significantly attenuated these asthmatic features. In addition, after treatment with a low-dose HDM allergen, S100A9 and HMGB1 over-expressed HBEC originating from young and elderly adults greatly activated co-cultured monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that DEP-induced senescence made both young and old mice susceptible to allergic sensitization and resultant asthma development by enhancing DC activation. Public health efforts to reduce DEP exposure are warranted.

Inhibition of glutaminase 1 activity reverses airway hyperresponsiveness and decreases IL-1ß+ M1s and IL-17 producing ILC3s in high-fat diet-fed obese mice.

In obesity, disturbed glutamine metabolism contributes to enhanced inflammation by inducing alterations in immune cells. As macrophages and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma, we tested our hypothesis that altered glutamine metabolism may link obesity to airway hyperresponsivenss (AHR), a cardinal feature of asthma, focusing on these innate immune cells. Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 13 wk in the presence or absence of BPTES [Bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)ethyl sulfide, a selective inhibitor of glutaminase 1 which converts glutamine to glutamate] and their blood, lung, and adipose tissues were analyzed. We then conducted in vitro experiments using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and mouse alveolar macrophage cell line. Furthermore, we investigated plasma glutamine and glutamate levels in obese and nonobese asthmatics. BPTES treatment prevented HFD-induced AHR and significantly decreased IL-1ß+ classically activated macrophages (M1s) and type 3 ILCs (ILC3s) which increased in the lungs of HFD-fed obese mice. In in vitro experiments, BPTES treatment or glutamine supplement significantly reduced the proportion of IL-1ß+NLRP3+ M1s in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BMDMs and mouse alveolar macrophage cell line. BPTES treatment also significantly reduced the IL-17 producing ILC3s differentiated from ILCs in naïve mouse lung. In addition, plasma glutamate/glutamine ratios were significantly higher in obese asthmatics compared to nonobese asthmatics. Inhibition of glutaminolysis reverses AHR in HFD-induced obese mice and decreases IL-1ß + NLRP3+ M1s and IL-17 producing ILC3s, which suggests altered glutamine metabolism may have a role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related AHR.

Rapamycin Restores Different Patterns of Cytokine Expression to Dexamethasone Treatment on CD14++CD16+ Monocytes from Steroid-Resistant Asthma Patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the differences in interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated CD14++CD16+ monocytes obtained from asthmatics after dexamethasone or dexamethasone plus rapamycin treatments between clinical steroid responders (R) and non-responders (NR). METHODS: Cytokine expressions in LPS-stimulated CD14++CD16+ p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) monocytes from R and NR were determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: IL-10high CD14++CD16+ p-mTOR population following LPS stimulation increased in the R group although decreased in the NR group with dexamethasone treatment. IL-1ßhigh population decreased in the R group although increased in the NR group. Rapamycin treatment after LPS and dexamethasone resulted in a significant increase in the IL-10high population and a significant decrease in the IL-1ßhigh population in the NR group. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone treatment resulted in different patterns of change in cytokine expressions in LPS-stimulated CD14++CD16+ p-mTOR monocytes between the R and NR. mTOR inhibition can restore steroid responsiveness involving IL-10 and IL-1ß in CD14++CD16+ p-mTOR monocytes.

Simultaneous Measurement and Distribution Analysis of Urinary Nicotine, Cotinine, Trans-3'-Hydroxycotinine, Nornicotine, Anabasine, and Total Nicotine Equivalents in a Large Korean Population.

Measurement of multiple nicotine metabolites and total nicotine equivalents (TNE) might be a more reliable strategy for tobacco exposure verification than measuring single urinary cotinine alone. We simultaneously measured nicotine, cotinine, 3-OH cotinine, nornicotine, and anabasine using 19,874 urine samples collected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Of all samples, 18.6% were positive for cotinine, 17.4% for nicotine, 17.3% for nornicotine, 17.6% for 3-OH cotinine, and 13.2% for anabasine. Of the cotinine negative samples, less than 0.3% were positive for all nicotine metabolites, but not for anabasine (5.7%). The agreement of the classification of smoking status by cotinine combined with nicotine metabolites was 0.982-0.994 (Cohen's kappa). TNE3 (the molar sum of urinary nicotine, cotinine, and 3-OH cotinine) was most strongly correlated with cotinine compared to the other nicotine metabolites; however, anabasine was less strongly correlated with other biomarkers. Among anabasine-positive samples, 30% were negative for nicotine or its metabolites, and 25% were undetectable. Our study shows that the single measurement of urinary cotinine is simple and has a comparable classification of smoking status to differentiate between current smokers and non-smokers relative to the measurement of multiple nicotine metabolites. However, measurement of multiple nicotine metabolites and TNE3 could be useful for monitoring exposure to low-level or secondhand smoke exposure and for determining individual differences in nicotine metabolism. Geometric or cultural factors should be considered for the differentiation of tobacco use from patients with nicotine replacement therapy by anabasine.

Tailoring Extremely Narrow FWHM in Hypsochromic and Bathochromic Shift of Polycyclo-Heteraborin MR-TADF Materials for High-Performance OLEDs.

Developing double boron-based emitters with extremely narrow band spectrum and high efficiency in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is crucial and challenging. Herein, we report two materials, NO-DBMR and Cz-DBMR, hinge on polycyclic heteraborin skeletons based on role-play of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels. The NO-DBMR contains an oxygen atom, whereas the Cz-DBMR has a carbazole core in the double boron-embedded ν-DABNA structure. The synthesized materials resulted in an unsymmetrical pattern for NO-DBMR and surprisingly a symmetrical pattern for Cz-DBMR. Consequently, both materials showed extremely narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 14 nm in hypsochromic (pure blue) and bathochromic (Bluish green) shifted emission without losing their high color fidelity. Furthermore, both materials show high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of over 82 %, and an extremely small singlet-triplet energy gap (ΔEST ) of 0.04 eV, resulting in high reverse intersystem crossing process (kRISC ) of 105  s-1 . Due to the efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) characteristics, the fabricated OLEDs based on these heteraborins manifested maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax ) of 33.7 and 29.8 % for NO-DBMR and Cz-DBMR, respectively. This is the first work reported with this type of strategy for achieving an extremely narrow emission spectrum in hypsochromic and bathochromic shifted emissions with a similar molecular skeleton.

IL-23 plays a significant role in the augmentation of particulate matter-mediated allergic airway inflammation.

It has been recently that particulate matter (PM) exposure increases the risk and exacerbation of allergic asthma. However, the underlying mechanisms and factors associated with increased allergic responses remain elusive. We evaluated IL-23 and IL-23R (receptor) expression, as well as changes in the asthmatic phenotype in mice administered PM and a low dose of house dust mite (HDM). Next, changes in the phenotype and immune responses were evaluated after intranasal administration of anti-IL-23 antibody during co-exposure to PM and low-dose HDM. We also performed in vitro experiments to investigate the effect of IL-23. IL-23 expression was significantly increased in Epcam+CD45- and CD11c+ cells, while that of IL-23R was increased in Epcam+CD45- cells only in mice administered PM and low-dose HDM. Administration of anti-IL-23 antibody led to decreased airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophils, and activation of dendritic cells, reduced populations of Th2 Th17, ILC2, the level of IL-33 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Inhibition of IL-23 in PM and low-dose HDM stimulated airway epithelial cell line resulted in decreased IL-33, GM-CSF and affected ILC2 and the activation of BMDCs. PM augmented the phenotypes and immunologic responses of asthma even at low doses of HDM. Interestingly, IL-23 affected immunological changes in airway epithelial cells.

Portal vein thrombosis and food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis in a premature newborn with hypereosinophilia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood eosinophilia is identified in numerous medical conditions associated with allergic, infectious, and inflammatory processes mostly as reactive eosinophilia with or without tissue eosinophilia. In hospitalized neonates, eosinophilia is common with an inverse relationship with gestational age and occurs solely as mild eosinophilia in the majority of cases. In the literature, eosinophilia has been proposed as a possible risk factor for venous thromboembolism. However, few reports are found on thromboembolic events including portal vein thrombosis (PVT) associated with eosinophilia in the newborn period. Neonates, particularly preterm infants, are vulnerable to thrombosis due to the immature and developing hemostatic system with little reserve capacity, which occurs as catheter-related thrombosis in most cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A male newborn at 34+ 5 weeks' gestation presented with a left portal venous thrombus and hematochezia after initial cow's milk feeding in the setting of blood hypereosinophilia for a prolonged period of time without central venous catheterization. The infant was diagnosed with PVT and food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) and showed complete resolution of the conditions with expectant management with food avoidance, including the normalized eosinophil count. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that in the setting of hypereosinophilia with a prolonged duration in premature neonates, FPIAP should be suspected in case of hematochezia in otherwise healthy infants, and considering the increased thrombotic risk by the hypereosinophilia and premature newborn status, evaluation for neonatal thrombosis may be needed, including PVT with the potential risk for the more serious, but uncommon, late complications encompassing portal hypertension.

Results of Lip Adhesion in Wide Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip Patients.

ABSTRACT: Long-term follow-up results of many surgical techniques for lip adhesion are unavailable. Thus, we report the surgical results of patients who underwent lip adhesions performed by a single surgeon. We retrospectively analyzed two-dimensional photographs of 29 patients aged 1 year who underwent lip adhesion and definite lip repair. Among these patients, we analyzed the photographs of 20 patients aged 6 years who underwent secondary rhinoplasty. The ratio of the cleft side length to the noncleft side length was calculated. Only the upper lip length in the photographs of 1-year-olds was measured; both the upper lip and nose lengths were measured in the photographs of 6-year-olds. Lip width, vermilion height, and medial lip height on the cleft and non-cleft sides of 1-year-olds were not significantly different; the alar base width ratio was 1.17 ±â€Š0.15, and the lateral lip height ratio was 0.91 ±â€Š0.09 (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in lip width and vermilion height between the cleft and non-cleft sides of the upper lip of 6-year-olds; the alar base width ratio was 1.22 ±â€Š0.16, medial lip height ratio was 1.11 ±â€Š0.11, and lateral lip height ratio was 0.89 ±â€Š0.09 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the alar projection and nasal dome height on the cleft side of the nose; the nostril height and width ratios were 0.82 ±â€Š0.11 and 1.31 ±â€Š0.21 (P < 0.001), respectively. These consecutively performed lip adhesions for patients with wide unilateral complete cleft lip resulted in excellent long-term results. Therefore, lip adhesion for wide unilateral complete cleft lip is a reasonable alternative to presurgical molding.

Proteomic Analysis of the Meniscus Cartilage in Osteoarthritis.

The distribution of differential extracellular matrix (ECM) in the lateral and medial menisci can contribute to knee instability, and changes in the meniscus tissue can lead to joint disease. Thus, deep proteomic identification of the lateral and medial meniscus cartilage is expected to provide important information for treatment and diagnosis of various knee joint diseases. We investigated the proteomic profiles of 12 lateral/medial meniscus pairs obtained from excess tissue of osteoarthritis patients who underwent knee arthroscopy surgery using mass spectrometry-based techniques and measured 75 ECM protein levels in the lesions using a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) assay we developed. A total of 906 meniscus proteins with a 1% false discovery rate (FDR) was identified through a tandem mass tag (TMT) analysis showing that the lateral and medial menisci had similar protein expression profiles. A total of 131 ECM-related proteins was included in meniscus tissues such as collagen, fibronectin, and laminin. Our data showed that 14 ECM protein levels were differentially expressed in lateral and medial lesions (p < 0.05). We present the proteomic characterization of meniscal tissue with mass spectrometry-based comparative proteomic analysis and developed an MRM-based assay of ECM proteins correlated with tissue regeneration. The mass spectrometry dataset has been deposited to the MassIVE repository with the dataset identifier MSV000087753.

Aggravation of asthmatic inflammation by chlorine exposure via innate lymphoid cells and CD11cintermediate macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Chlorine is widely used in daily life as disinfectant. However, chronic exposure to chlorine products aggravates allergic TH 2 inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in airways contribute to the inception of asthma in association with virus infection, pollution, and excess of nutrient, but it is not known whether chronic chlorine exposure can activate innate immune cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of chlorine inhalation on the innate immunity such as ILCs and macrophages in relation with the development of asthma by using murine ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization/challenge model. METHODS: Six-week-old female BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA in the presence and absence of chronic low-dose chlorine exposure by inhalation of naturally vaporized gas of 5% sodium hypochlorite solution. AHR, airway inflammatory cells, from BALF and the population of ILCs and macrophages in the lung were evaluated. RESULTS: The mice exposed to chlorine with OVA (Cl + OVA group) showed enhanced AHR and eosinophilic inflammation compared to OVA-treated mice (OVA group). The population of TH 2 cells, ILC2s, and ILC3s increased in Cl + OVA group compared with OVA group. CD11cint macrophages also remarkably increased in Cl + OVA group compared with OVA group. The deletion of macrophages by clodronate resulted in reduction of ILC2s and ILC3s population which was restored by adoptive transfer of CD11cint macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic chlorine inhalation contributes to the exacerbation of airway inflammation in asthmatic airway by mobilizing pro-inflammatory macrophage into the lung as well as stimulating group 2 and 3 ILCs.

Xpert MTB/RIF Assay as a Substitute for Smear Microscopy in an Intermediate-Burden Setting.

RATIONALE: Use of Xpert MTB/RIF assay as a substitute for smear microscopy in routine clinical practice remains unexplored in an intermediate-tuberculosis-burden setting. OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic performance of Xpert and smear microscopy, based on sampling time and location, correlation of Xpert semiquantitative category with smear grade and time to culture positivity, and compliance of reporting time with defined standard time. METHODS: Consecutive sputum samples collected from 2,952 suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients over a 3-year period were tested by Xpert, smear microscopy, and liquid culture as part of routine diagnostics in South Korea. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Based on the analysis of a single sputum specimen per patient, of 2,952 samples, 263 (8.9%) were culture-confirmed tuberculosis and 265 (9.0%) were nontuberculous mycobacteria. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 74.1% and 97.5% for Xpert versus 38.8% and 96.7% for smear microscopy, respectively (P < 0.0001; P > 0.05). Of 82 smear-positive nontuberculous mycobacteria, 81 (98.8%) were accurately excluded by Xpert. Sampling time and location significantly affected the performance of smear microscopy but not that of Xpert. Xpert semiquantitative category strongly correlated with smear grade (γGoodman-Kruskal = 0.982; P < 0.0001) and time to culture positivity (γGoodman-Kruskal = -0.962; P < 0.0001). Median reporting time and its compliance rate within 24 hours were 3.1 hours and 96.3% for Xpert versus 19.1 hours and 88.7% for smear microscopy, respectively (P < 0.0001; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Xpert provides faster, more stable, and superior results compared with smear microscopy, in addition to its strong correlation with smear grade. Xpert might replace smear microscopy as the first-line diagnostic test for pulmonary tuberculosis in routine clinical practice in an intermediate-burden setting.

Molecular Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in Skin and Soft Tissue Infections and Bone and Joint Infections in Korean Children.

BACKGROUND: Community acquired-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones, including ST1, ST8, and ST30 are reported worldwide. However, data among Korean children are limited. Thus, we investigated the molecular characteristics of S. aureus among children in Korea. METHODS: S. aureus isolated from Korean children diagnosed with skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) or bone and joint infection due to S. aureus infection at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, from August 2010 to November 2016, were analyzed for multilocus sequence type (ST) and SCCmec typing. Polymerase chain reaction of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), qac A/B, smr and mupA genes were also performed. Electronic medical records were reviewed for clinical data and antibiotic susceptibility results. Cases were classified into three groups: health care-associated community-onset (HACO) infections, hospital-onset (HO) infections, and community-acquired (CA) infections. RESULTS: A total of 67 strains from children with SSTI (41/67, 61.2%) and bone and joint infection (26/67, 38.8%) were included. Among all isolates, 29.9% (20/67) were MRSA, and 70% (14/20) were classified as CA, 20% (4/20) as HACO and 10% (2/20) as HO infections. MRSA rate according to disease was 34.1% (14/41) for SSTI and 23.1% (6/26) for bone and joint infection. MRSA strains included ST72-SCCmec IV (14/20, 70.0%), ST5-SCCmec II (3/20, 15.0%) and ST1-SCCmec IV (2/20, 10.0%). ST30 was the most common cause of SSTI and bone and joint infections and 96.6% (28/29) were methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). PVL genes were detected in 3 strains (3.8%, ST30-SCCmec IV n = 1, MSSA ST30 n = 2), qac A/B in 3 (MRSA = 3), smr in 3 (MSSA = 1, MRSA = 2) and mupA in 7 (MRSA = 5, MSSA = 2). CONCLUSION: Molecular epidemiology of S. aureus in Korean children with SSTI and bone and joint infection showed that ST30 was predominant and mostly MSSA. Among MRSA, ST72-SCCmec type IV was the most common strain.

Association of Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters in Meconium of Neonates with Growth Deficits at Birth: a Prospective, Single-Centre Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in meconium as biomarkers of prenatal ethanol exposure and growth deficits, as birth outcomes, that constitute several of the key cardinal features of fetal alcohol syndrome. METHODS: A total of 157 meconium samples were collected from enrolled infants within 24 hours of birth, and nine FAEEs were quantified using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The relationships between cumulative concentrations of nine species of FAEEs in meconium and birth parameters of growth (age-sex-specific centiles of head circumference [HC], weight, and length) and respective and combined birth outcomes of growth deficits (HC ≤ 10th centile, weight ≤ 10th centile, and length ≤ 10th centile) were determined. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher cumulative concentrations of meconium FAEEs correlated with elevated risks for HC and length, both, 10th percentile or less (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-7.74; P = 0.029) and HC and weight and length, all of them, 10th percentile or less (aOR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.12-9.59; P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: The elevated cumulative FAEEs in meconium were associated with combined growth deficits at birth, specifically HC and length, both, 10th percentile or less, which might be correlated with detrimental alcohol effects on fetal brain and bone development, suggesting a plausible alcohol-specific pattern of intrauterine growth restriction.

IL-23 secreted by bronchial epithelial cells contributes to allergic sensitization in asthma model: role of IL-23 secreted by bronchial epithelial cells.

IL-23 has been postulated to be a critical mediator contributing to various inflammatory diseases. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) is one of the most common inhalant allergens. However, the role of IL-23 in Der p-induced mouse asthma model is not well understood, particularly with regard to the development of allergic sensitization in the airways. The objective of this study was to evaluate roles of IL-23 in Der p sensitization and asthma development. BALB/c mice were repeatedly administered Der p intranasally to develop Der p allergic sensitization and asthma. After Der p local administration, changes in IL-23 expression were examined in lung tissues and primary epithelial cells. Anti-IL-23p19 antibody was given during the Der p sensitization period, and its effects were examined. Effects of anti-IL-23p19 antibody at bronchial epithelial levels were also examined in vitro. The expression of IL-23 at bronchial epithelial layers was increased after Der p local administration in mouse. In Der p-induced mouse models, anti-IL-23p19 antibody treatment during allergen sensitization significantly diminished Der p allergic sensitization and several features of allergic asthma including the production of Th2 cytokines and the population of type 2 innate lymphoid cells in lungs. The activation of dendritic cells in lung-draining lymph nodes was also reduced by anti-IL-23 treatment. In murine lung alveolar type II-like epithelial cell line (MLE-12) cells, IL-23 blockade prevented cytokine responses to Der p stimulation, such as IL-1α, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-33, and also bone marrow-derived dendritic cell activation. In conclusion, IL-23 is another important bronchial epithelial cell-driven cytokine which may contribute to the development of house dust mite allergic sensitization and asthma.

TNF-α enhance Th2 and Th17 immune responses regulating by IL23 during sensitization in asthma model.

BACKGROUND: TNF-α has been postulated to be a critical mediator contributing to airway inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of TNF-α in the induction of Th17 and Th2 cells related to asthma pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate detailed mechanisms for the modulation of IL-23 by TNF-α in sensitization period. METHODS: During sensitization period, 10µg of rat anti-mouse TNF-α mAb was intravenously administrated one hour before the application of OVA and 0.1µg of LPS. To see the relation between TNF-α and associated effectors cytokine, we replenished TNF-α KO mice with IL-23 during sensitization period. To assess cellular resources, CD11c+ cells isolated from lung tissue after sensitization were treated with anti-TNF-α Ab. RESULTS: Treatment of anti-TNF-α mAb during sensitization period significantly reduced airway eosinophilia, serum OVA-specific IgE levels and methacholine AHR compared to isotype Ab. Anti-TNF-α mAb treated mice showed significant reduction in the levels of IL-23 after sensitization in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as well as IL-17A, IL-4 levels in BALF after challenge compared with isotype Ab treated mice. Supplementation of IL-23 in TNF-α KO mice resulted in complete restoration of eosinophilic airway inflammation, AHR, and IL-17A and IL-4 expression in CD4+ T cells. Anti-TNF-α mAb treatment after sensitization significantly diminished the population of IL-23p19-secreting CD11c+ cells in lung. CONCLUSION: TNF-α plays an important role in the development of airway inflammation by enhancing IL-23/Th17 and Th2 immune responses.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Clinical phenotype among a high-risk group of children and adolescents in Korea.

Little is known about the prevalence and phenotype of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or spectrum disorders (FASD) in Korea. This study was performed to describe the distribution of alcohol-related physical features in a genetically homogeneous sample of children and adolescents in institutional settings in Korea. Children and adolescents receiving services in one of seven institutions in Seoul, Korea were screened for growth deficiency. Those who screened positive were assessed using a structured protocol for the key cardinal features of FAS, and for 11 additional alcohol-related dysmorphologic features. Based on these findings, children and adolescents were categorized as FAS, Deferred (some characteristic features of FAS), and No FAS. Groups were compared on the prevalence of specific additional features and number of additional features, stratified by gender and age. Of 307 children and adolescents screened, 87 received the dysmorphology evaluation. Thirteen were classified as FAS, 44 Deferred, and 30 No FAS. The frequency of 10 of the 11 additional alcohol-related features did not differ significantly by FAS category. Palmar crease abnormalities were more common in FAS (53.8%) than in the Deferred category (25.0%) or the No FAS category (6.7%) (P = 0.003). A high prevalence across all groups was found for midfacial hypoplasia and epicanthal folds, whereas only one child exhibited ptosis. This study suggests that an FASD phenotype variant related to ethnic differences in the range of defects specific to prenatal alcohol exposure may be present in the Korean population.

Effect of 1.8-Cineole in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-Stimulated Bronchial Epithelial Cells and Mouse Model of Asthma.

1.8-Cineole (eucalyptol) is a phytoncide, a volatile organic compound derived from plants. Phytoncides are known to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, the effects of 1.8-cineole in house dust mite (HDM)-stimulated bronchial epithelial cells are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of 1.8-cineole in HDM-stimulated bronchial epithelial cells and in the HDM-induced murine asthma model. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of 1.8-cineole action in HDM-induced airway inflammation. Human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) were cultured with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) and 1.8-cineole. Cytokine protein levels, phosphorylation of protein kinases, and intracellular Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressions were measured. In the murine model, BALB/C mice were sensitized with Der p and were exposed to Der p via intranasal route during the challenge period. 1.8-Cineole was given by inhalation 6 h before the each challenge. Treatment with 1.8-cineole inhibited the Der p-induced cytokine protein expression, phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt and intracellular TLR4 expression in HBECs. In the Der p-induced mouse model, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was also significantly reduced by 1.8-cineole treatment. The treatment of 1.8-cineole inhibited the increased production of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 and IL-17A in BALF after Der p challenge. These results suggest that 1.8-cineole suppresses Der p-induced IL-8, IL-6 and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) production in HBECs. Finally, we confirmed that 1.8-cineole decreases AHR and eosinophilic airway inflammation in Der p-induced asthma mice.

Inducibility of human atrial fibrillation in an in silico model reflecting local acetylcholine distribution and concentration.

Vagal nerve activity has been known to play a crucial role in the induction and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is unclear how the distribution and concentration of local acetylcholine (ACh) promotes AF. In this study, we investigated the effect of the spatial distribution and concentration of ACh on fibrillation patterns in an in silico human atrial model. A human atrial action potential model with an ACh-dependent K(+) current (IKAch) was used to examine the effect of vagal activation. A simulation of cardiac wave dynamics was performed in a realistic 3D model of the atrium. A model of the ganglionated plexus (GP) and nerve was developed based on the "octopus hypothesis". The pattern of cardiac wave dynamics was examined by applying vagal activation to the GP areas or randomly. AF inducibility in the octopus hypothesis-based GP and nerve model was tested. The effect of the ACh concentration level was also examined. In the single cell simulation, an increase in the ACh concentration shortened APD90 and increased the maximal slope of the restitution curve. In the 3D simulation, a random distribution of vagal activation promoted wavebreaks while ACh secretion limited to the GP areas did not induce a noticeable change in wave dynamics. The octopus hypothesis-based model of the GP and nerve exhibited AF inducibility at higher ACh concentrations. In conclusion, a 3D in silico model of the GP and parasympathetic nerve based on the octopus model exhibited higher AF inducibility with higher ACh concentrations.

Expression levels of eosinophil granule protein mRNAs in induced sputum reflect airway hyperresponsiveness and airflow limitation.

Eosinophils are regarded as the major effector cells that produce symptoms in allergic diseases. Activation of eosinophils induces extracellular release of a number of eosinophil granule proteins, including major basic protein (MBP), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences and significance of the sputum eosinophil% and expression levels of eosinophilic granule protein mRNAs in allergic airway disease. Induced sputum samples were obtained from non-smokers with 25 asthma, 54 eosinophilic bronchitis, 16 allergic rhinitis, and 19 healthy control subjects. The eosinophil granule protein mRNAs were measured with real time RT-PCR. There was no correlation between the sputum eosinophil% and the mRNA level of any of eosinophil granule proteins. However, the expression levels of MBP and ECP mRNAs were higher in subjects with each of the specified allergic diseases than those in control subjects (P < 0.05). Moreover, in the subjects with allergic sensitization, the expression levels of MBP and EPO mRNAs were significantly higher in those with airway hyperresponsiveness (13 subjects) than in those without airway hyperresponsiveness (32 subjects) (P = 0.004 and 0.010, respectively). In asthma patients, the FEV1% was negatively correlated with ECP mRNA levels (r = -0.510, P = 0.022), but showed no correlation with sputum eosinophil%. In conclusion, mRNA levels of eosinophil granule proteins, rather than sputum eosinophil%, may reflect airway hyperresponsiveness and airflow limitation. In practice, consideration for the eosinophil% as well as the eosinophil granule proteins levels in induced sputum is needed.