Foreclosures and weight gain: Differential associations by longer neighborhood exposure.

While home foreclosure can lead to mental and physical health declines in persons experiencing the foreclosure, whether neighborhood foreclosures can affect the health of other residents is debatable. Using a racially/ethnically diverse sample of Chicago metropolitan area residents linked to foreclosure data from 2008 to 2014, we assessed whether exposure to neighborhood foreclosure fillings was associated with changes in objectively measured body mass index (BMI) over time. Using a retrospective longitudinal design, we employed fixed-effects regression models that controlled for individual- and neighborhood-level covariates to test the association of neighborhood foreclosures and BMI in >60,000 individuals and for individuals who did not move during the follow-up period. We also adjusted for the non-linear association of age and BMI and comorbidities and employed a series of sensitivity analysis to test for robustness. In fully adjusted models, a standard-deviation increase in neighborhood foreclosure filings within 500 m was associated with increases in BMI for individuals who did not move (nonmovers) (mean = 0.03 BMI units, 95% confidence interval: 0.01, 0.06). Neighborhood foreclosure rates were not associated with changes in BMI for the full sample. Given the potential deleterious effects of neighborhood foreclosure on individuals with longer exposure to the local vicinity, clarifying the potential health effects of neighborhood foreclosures would help policymakers when planning actions to prevent home losses, predatory home loans, and that aim to more efficiently return foreclosure properties to productive uses.

Anti-inflammatory effects of a traditional Korean medicine: Ojayeonjonghwan.

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-inflammatory properties of OJ. CONTEXT: Ojayeonjonghwan (OJ) is a traditional Korean prescription, which has been widely used for the treatment of prostatitis. However, no scientific study has been performed of the anti-inflammatory effects of OJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peritoneal macrophages were isolated 3-4 days after injecting a C57BL/6J mouse with thioglycollate. They were then treated with OJ water extract (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/mL) for 1 h and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for different times. Nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and proinflammatory cytokine levels were determined by NO assay, Western blotting, RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: NO generation and iNOS induction were increased in the LPS-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. However, NO generation and iNOS induction by LPS were suppressed by treatment with OJ for the first time. The IC50 value of OJ with respect to NO production was 0.09 mg/mL. OJ did not influence LPS-stimulated COX-2 induction, but did significantly decrease LPS-stimulated secretions and mRNA expressions of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß. Inhibition rates of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß at an OJ concentration of 1 mg/mL were 77%, 88%, and 50%, respectively. OJ also suppressed the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB. High-performance liquid chromatography showed schizandrin and gomisin A are major components of OJ. CONCLUSIONS: OJ reduces inflammatory response, and this probably explains its positive impact on the prostatitis associated inflammation.

Lewinella xylanilytica sp. nov., a member of the family Saprospiraceae isolated from coastal seawater.

An orange-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 13-9-B8T, was isolated from a seawater sample collected at Marado, Jeju Island, South Korea. The novel strain was Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, non-gliding, rod-shaped and aerobic. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain clustered with members of the genus Lewinella of the family Saprospiraceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes and was most closely related to the species Lewinella marina (95.6 % similarity to the type strain). Strain 13-9-B8T grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 7.0 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain 13-9-B8T contained MK-7 as the predominant menquinone and summed feature 3, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids detected in strain 13-9-B8T were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified phospholipid and eight unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain 13-9-B8T was 59.1 mol%. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data presented, strain 13-9-B8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Lewinella, for which the name Lewinella xylanilytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13-9-B8T ( = DSM 29526T = KCTC 32663T).

Donghicola tyrosinivorans sp. nov., a tyrosine-degrading bacterium isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic bacterium, strain 13-93-B1T, was isolated from seawater off Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, and was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells formed ivory colonies and were ovoid to rod-shaped. The strain was catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and grew optimally at 30 °C, in the presence of 1-2 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.0-7.5. It did not synthesize bacteriochlorophyll a. Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 13-93-B1T clustered with the type strain Donghicola eburneus SW-277T (97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). DNA-DNA hybridization between strain 13-93-B1T and D. eburneus KCTC 12735T was 33.1 ± 1.4 % (35.2 ± 2.8 % in a reciprocal experiment). The predominant cellular fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c; 76.9 %). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10 and polar lipids detected in strain 13-93-B1T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid and unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain 13-93-B1T was 60.4 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data presented, strain 13-93-B1T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Donghicola, for which the name Donghicola tyrosinivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13-93-B1T ( = DSM 100212T = KCTC 42571T).

Simiduia areninigrae sp. nov., an agarolytic bacterium isolated from sea sand.

During a study intended to screen for agar-degrading bacteria, strain M2-5T was isolated from black sand off the shore of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. Strain M2-5T exhibited agarase activity; the ß-agarase gene of the isolate had 62 % amino acid sequence identity to the ß-agarase gene of Microbulbifer thermotolerans JAMB A94T. The isolate was closely related to members of the genus Simiduia but was clearly discernible from reported Simiduia species, based on a polyphasic analysis. Cells of strain M2-5T were Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile rods. The DNA G+C content was 53.3 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids were C17:1ω8c (25.9 %), summed feature 3 (iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH and/or C16:1ω7c; 17.2 %) and C17:0 (15.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain M2-5T had 96.6 % gene sequence similarity to Simiduia agarivorans SA1T, the most closely related type strain of the genus Simiduia. These results suggest that strain M2-5T represents a novel species in the genus Simiduia, for which the name Simiduia areninigrae sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is M2-5T (=KCTC 23293T=NCAIM B 02424T).

Induction of apoptosis by withaferin A in human leukemia U937 cells through down-regulation of Akt phosphorylation.

Withaferin A, a major chemical constituent of Withania somnifera, has been reported for its tumor cell growth inhibitory activity, antitumor effects, and impairing metastasis and angiogenesis. The mechanism by which withaferin A initiates apoptosis remains poorly understood. In the present report, we investigated the effect of withaferin A on the apoptotic pathway in U937 human promonocytic cells. We show that withaferin A induces apoptosis in association with the activation of caspase-3. JNK and Akt signal pathways play crucial roles in withaferin A-induced apoptosis in U937 cells. Furthermore, we have shown that overexpression of Bcl-2 and active Akt (myr-Akt) in U937 cells inhibited the induction of apoptosis, activation of caspase-3, and PLC-gamma1 cleavage by withaferin A. Taken together, our results indicated that the JNK and Akt pathways and inhibition of NF-kappaB activity were key regulators of apoptosis in response to withaferin A in human leukemia U937 cells.

Comparison of in vivo nephrotoxicity in the rabbit by a pyrrolidinyl-thio Carbapenem CW-270031.

CW-270031 is a novel synthesized carbapenem antibiotic with a broad antimicrobial activity. Carbapenem antibiotics are well known for their nephrotoxicity. In this study, we evaluated the nephrotoxicity potential of this compound in rabbits, which are known for being more sensitive than other animals to renal insult. CW-270031 was administered to NZW male rabbits via an ear vein (200 mg/kg, single injection). Blood samples were collected on 2, 3, and 4 days after treatment. Urea nitrogen and creatinine in plasma were quantified. Four days after the treatment, all animals were autopsied and histopathological examinations were performed on their kidneys, revealing that cephaloridine and imipenem were highly nephrotoxic, and cefazolin had mild renal toxicity, whereas CW-270031 as well as meropenem and tienam had no toxicity to the kidney. The present findings suggest that CW-270031 is a potential carbapenem antibiotic with no nephrotoxicity.

Elevated gadd153/chop expression during resveratrol-induced apoptosis in human colon cancer cells.

Resveratrol (3,4',5-tri-hydroxystilbene), a natural phytoalexin found at high levels in grapes and red wine, has been shown to induce anti-proliferation and apoptosis of human cancer cell lines. Resveratrol-induced dose-dependent apoptotic cell death in colon carcinoma cells, as measured by FACS analysis and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation assays. We demonstrate for the first time that resveratrol induce CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP). Resveratrol-induced CHOP mRNA (and also protein) expression was inhibited by JNK specific inhibitor, but not ERK, p38 MAPK, PI3K and NF-kappaB inhibitors. Resveratrol-induced expression of CHOP involves the putative Sp1 site within the CHOP promoter region. Using a combination of the Sp1 cDNA transfection, the luciferase reporter assay and Sp1 inhibitor assay, we found that Sp1 site is required for resveratrol-mediated activation of the CHOP promoter. Suppression of CHOP expression by CHOP siRNA and treatment with mithramycin A attenuated resveratrol-induced apoptosis. Taken together, the present studies suggest that induction of CHOP protein may be involved, at least in part, in resveratrol-induced apoptosis.

Ceftezole, a cephem antibiotic, is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor with in vivo anti-diabetic activity.

Using a high throughput-compatible assay to screen for potential alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, we found that the beta-lactam antibiotic ceftezole exhibited potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. In in vitro alpha-glucosidase assays, ceftezole was shown to be a reversible, non-competitive inhibitor of yeast alpha-glucosidase with a Ki value of 5.78 x 10(-7) M when the enzyme mixture was pretreated with ceftezole. Using an in vivo streptozotocin-induced mouse model, we confirmed that blood glucose levels decreased by 30% 20 min after ceftezole treatment (10 mg/kg/day). Expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, and uncoupling protein-3 mRNA were also slightly decreased compared to controls following ceftezole treatment. Taken together, these in vivo and in vitro results suggest that ceftezole may be a clinically useful anti-diabetic compound.

Wisteria floribunda gall extract inhibits cell migration in mouse B16F1 melanoma cells by regulating CD44 expression and GTP-RhoA activity.

Extracts from galls grown on Wisteria floribunda are used as an anti-tumoral preparation in oriental traditional medicine. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism of this anti-tumoral effect by first examining whether the extract inhibited cell migration in a B16 cell-based wound healing assay. The gall extract delayed wound healing in a dose- and time-dependent manner, indicating that one or more components of the fraction inhibited cell migration. Examination of two molecules known to be involved in metastasis, CD44, and RhoA-GTP, revealed that the gall extract decreased CD44 expression in a concentration-dependent manner, and also increased RhoA-GTP activity in comparison to untreated controls. Taken together, these results suggest that the Wisteria gall extract may inhibit cancer cell migration via inhibition of CD44 mRNA expression and activation of the GTP-RhoA protein.

beta-Secretase (BACE1) inhibitors from pomegranate (Punica granatum) husk.

In the course of screening for anti-dementia agents from natural products, two beta-secretase (BACE1) inhibitors were isolated from the husk of pomegranate (Punica granatum) by activity-guided purification. They were identified as ellagic acid and punicalagin with IC50 values of 3.9 x10(-6) and 4.1x10(-7) M and Ki values of 2.4x10(-5) and 5.9x10(-7) M, respectively. The compounds were non-competitive inhibitors with a substrate in the Dixon plot. Ellagic acid and punicalagin were less inhibitory to alpha-secretase (TACE) and other serine proteases such as chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase, thus indicating that they were relatively specific inhibitors of BACE1.

Failure to activate caspase 3 in phorbol ester-resistant leukemia cells is associated with resistance to apoptotic cell death.

The protein kinase C (PKC)-specific inhibitor, Ro-31-8220, has been shown to induce anti-proliferation and apoptosis of human cancer cell lines. In the present study, we determined the molecular pathways that lead to apoptosis after treatment of cells with the PKC-specific inhibitor RO-31-8220. For this, we used the U937 human leukemia cell line and a phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA)-resistant derivative cell line, R-U937. Ro-31-8220 treatment of U937 cells leads to apoptosis, which is accompanied by activation of caspase 3 (as measured by decreased levels of the 32kDa inactive form and increased proteolytic cleavage of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma1). The broad-range caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk inhibits this induction of apoptosis, supporting a direct link between caspase activation and Ro-31-8220 induction of apoptosis. This activation of apoptosis is also accompanied by release of cytochrome c, but not by altered expression of Bcl-2 family protein or IAP family proteins. In R-U937 cells, Ro-31-8220 fails to cause release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase 3, or apoptosis. Activation of Akt occurs to a greater extent in the R-U937 cells than the U937 cells and thus might be related to protection from Ro-31-8220-induced apoptosis.

Fungal diversity and plant growth promotion of endophytic fungi from six halophytes in Suncheon Bay.

Endophytic fungi were isolated from roots of six halophytes in Suncheon Bay. The endophytic fungi of 35 species isolated from halophytes were identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) containing the ITS1, 5.8s, and ITS2 regions. All fungal strains were analyzed to diversity at the genus level. Fungal culture filtrates (FCF) of endophytic fungi were treated to Waito-c rice (WR) seedling for plant growth-promoting verification. It was confirmed that fungal strain Sj-2-2 provided plant growth promotion (PGP) to WR seedling. Then, PGP of Suaeda japonica was confirmed by treating culture filtrate of Sj-2-2. As a result, it was verified that culture filtrate of Sj-2-2 had more advanced PGP than positive control when treated to S. japonica. The secondary metabolites involved in culture filtrate of Sj-2-2 were identified by HPLC and GC-MS SIM analysis. The presence of physiologically bioactive gibberellins (GAs) and other inactive GAs in culture filtrate of Sj-2-2 was detected. The molecular analysis of sequences of Sj-2-2 showed the similarity to Penicillium sp. of 99% homology. The PGP of Sj-2-2 as well as symbiosis between endophytic fungi and halophytes growing naturally in salt marsh was confirmed. Sj-2-2 was identified as a new fungal strain producing GAs by molecular analysis of sequences. Consequently, the Sj-2-2 fungal strain was named as Penicillium sp. Sj-2-2. In this study, the diversity of endophytic fungi isolated from roots of halophytes in salt marsh and the PGP of a new gibberellin-producing fungal strain were confirmed.

Mitigation of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-related symptoms by Terminalia chebula Retzius.

To evaluate whether an aqueous seed extract of Terminalia chebula Retzius inhibited development of atopy in vivo, we used a 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced animal model of atopic symptoms to investigate the effects of the extract. We measured CD4+ cell numbers by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and determined the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, interleukin (IL)-31, and T-bet genes, in this animal model. The data showed that a Terminalia chebula extract (100 µg/ml) exhibited strong anti-atopic activity, mediating a 52% reduction in the immune response, as measured by thickness of ear swelling, and resulting in decreased eosinophil levels in adjacent skin tissue. Collectively, the results indicate that a Terminalia chebula seed extract has potential for alleviation of atopy-like symptoms induced by DNFB in the mouse.

Nonactin hinders intracellular glycosylation in virus-infected baby hamster kidney cells.

Potent antiviral agents hinder virus-infected cell machinery, leading to rescue from viral damage. In this study, we aimed to identify selective intracellular glycosylation inhibitor(s) that do not suppress glycoprotein synthesis. Our results showed that nonactin is a potent inhibitor of intracellular glycosylation. First, we examined the effects of nonactin on syncytium formation and cytopathic activity in virus-infected baby hamster kidney cells. Nonactin effectively inhibited syncytium formation in a concentration-dependent manner, and infectious virus production was markedly reduced. However, glycoprotein synthesis was not affected. In the presence of 5 µg/ml nonactin, we observed the intracellular accumulation of vesicular stomatitis virus-G protein as well as syncytium formation, but no significant effects on Newcastle disease virus-hemagglutinin-neuramidase glycoprotein synthesis. Our results collectively indicate that nonactin potentially inhibits glycosylation by acting as a suppressor of intracellular glycosylation trafficking.

CW-270033, a novel pyrrolidinyl-thio carbapenem, has potent antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo.

CW-270033, an injectable carbapenem, is a novel, synthesized pyrrolidinyl-thio carbapenem. In the present study, the in-vitro and in-vivo antibacterial activities of CW-270033 against wild-type strains and clinical isolates were compared with those of imipenem and meropenem. CW-270033 was more active than imipenem against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) clinical isolates, but was slightly less active than meropenem. Against the Gram-positive clinical isolates methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), CW-270033 was slightly more active than meropenem, but was less active than imipenem. CW-270033 displayed potent in-vivo activity against E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and S. aureus SMITH in the mouse systemic infection model; the efficacy of CW-270033 in this model was 2--7 fold higher than that of meropenem. This activity was comparable to the in-vitro activity of CW-270033. An intravenous injection of CW-270033 showed that the half-life of CW-270033 in serum in mice was about 20 min, which was about two times that of meropenem. CW-270033 was also found to be resistant to hydrolysis by the mouse renal dehydropeptidase I (DHP-I) enzyme.

8-Hydroxyquinoline inhibits iNOS expression and nitric oxide production by down-regulating LPS-induced activity of NF-kappaB and C/EBPbeta in Raw 264.7 cells.

In activated macrophage, large amounts of nitric oxide (NO) are generated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), resulting in acute or chronic inflammatory disorders. In Raw 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic inflammation, 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) inhibited the LPS-induced expression of both iNOS protein and mRNA in a parallel dose-dependent manner. 8HQ did not enhance the degradation of iNOS mRNA. To investigate the mechanism by which 8HQ inhibits iNOS gene expression, we examined the activation of MAP kinases in Raw 264.7 cells. We did not observe any significant change in the phosphorylation of MAPKs between LPS alone and LPS plus 8HQ-treated cells. Moreover, 8HQ significantly inhibited the DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta), but not activator protein-1 and cAMP response element-binding protein. Taken together, these results suggest that 8HQ acts to inhibit inflammation through inhibition of NO production and iNOS expression through blockade of C/EBPbeta DNA-binding activity and NF-kappaB activation.