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Interleukin (IL)-25 has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are associated with chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes in the paranasal sinuses and are involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of IL-25 on myofibroblast differentiation, ECM production and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases in nasal polyp derived fibroblasts (NPDFs) and to determine the molecular mechanism underlying these processes. A total of 40 patients were enrolled in this study for Immunofluorescence studies. Expression of IL17 receptor B was evaluated by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in NPDFs. NPDFs were stimulated with IL-25 for 48 h in the presence or absence of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-κB inhibitors or small interfering RNAs (siRNA). The protein levels of fibrosis active mediators were examined using western blotting. Fibroblast migration was evaluated with a scratch assay. The total collagen amount was analyzed with the Sircol collagen assay. IL-25 induced α-SMA, fibronectin, and MMP-1 and -13, which were dependent on IL-17RB. IL-25 also induced activation of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs). By using the specific inhibitor of ERK, p38, JNK and NF-κB (U, SB, SP and Bay), we found that IL-25-induced expressions of α-SMA, fibronectin, and MMPs was regulated by the signaling pathways of MAPKs and NF-κB. IL-25 also induces α-SMA, fibronectin, and MMPs expression through IL-17RB-dependent pathways in NPDFs. The increased migration ability induced by IL-25 was suppressed by the specific inhibitors of MAPKs and NF-κB. Our data indicate that IL-25 induced myofibroblast differentiation, fibronectin production, and MMP-1 and -13 expressions through the signaling pathways of MAPKs and NF-κB. in NPDFs and increased expression of IL-25 were also involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis by affecting nasal fibroblasts in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

In a previous study, we found that Primo vessels generate different action potentials in smooth muscles, but this study compared the pulse shape to distinguish the two tissues. Thus, a more sophisticated extracellular experiment was performed in this study using an acetylcholine injection; we then observed changes in the amplitude, FWHM (full width at half maximum), and period to explore Primo vessel function. A third type of pulse was recorded for Primo vessels. We observed fast depolarizing and repolarizing phases for this pulse. Further, its FWHM was 30 ms between smooth muscles and neurons. Acetylcholine affected only the period. The amplitude and FWHM were consistent after injection. Primo-vessels generated action potentials at twice the frequency after injection. From the results, we speculate that Primo-vessels perform a role in transferring signals in a different manner, which may be relevant for acupuncture treatment.

Interstitial lung disease （ILD） is a comprehensive term referring to a group of lung diseases affecting the interstitium of the lung. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） is the most common idiopathic ILD, and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia （NSIP） is the second most common. As the name suggests, NSIP is diagnosed atter many other diseases are excluded. The main pathological finding in NSIP is homogeneous interstitial inflammation with or without fibrosis. NSIP can be categorized by cellular type or fibrotic type, according to the grade of inflammation and fibrosis. The cellular type has mostly inflammatory lesions with good responses to steroid, but the fibrotic type has a large proportion of fibrosis mixed with inflammatory lesions and a relatively poor response to steroid treatment So far, the exact mechanism underlying idiopathic lED has not been clarified. Determining key regulators of these ILDs will be helpful in the diagnosis and development of novel drugs for ILD.

BackgroundMoxibustion therapy has been used historically for thousands of years and there are many clinical trials supporting its efficacy and effectiveness for various conditions. Moxa smoke has been a major reason for avoiding moxibustion due to its smell and potential risks to the human body.Methods10 units of commercial indirect moxa (CIM) from six manufacturers (A–F) were burnt in a 2.5×2.5×2.5 m chamber without ventilation, and concentrations of carbon oxides (CO and CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the indoor air samples were measured.ResultsFor brands A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively, relative to baseline values, we observed an increase in CO (from 0.002 to 0.007, 0.006, 0.005, 0.006, 0.005, and 0.006 parts per billion (ppb)), NOx (from 0.009 to 0.051, 0.025, 0.015, 0.050, 0.019, and 0.020 ppb), and total VOCs (TVOC; from 48.06 to 288.83, 227.93, 140.82, 223.22, 260.15, and 161.35 μg/m3), while the concentration of CO2 was not elevated. Each CIM brand demonstrated different VOC emission characteristics, which could be divided into three groups. On average, we estimated that 20 units of CIM or 2.41 g moxa floss would need to be combusted in order to exceed the safe levels set by Korean environmental law. This limit is likely to be greater in the case of a larger room or use of ventilation.ConclusionsDespite increased CO/NOx/VOC concentrations, overall levels remained within safe limits. These findings may help clinicians to maintain safe moxibustion treatment conditions to help keep both patients and clinicians safe from the pollutants generated by moxa combustion.

Background. Electro Acupuncture (EA) uses the acupuncture needle as an electrode to apply low-frequency stimulation. For its safe operation, it is essential to prevent any corrosion of the acupuncture needle. Objective. The aim of this study is to find an available material and determine the possibility of producing a standard EA needle that is biocompatible. Methods. Biocompatibility was tested by an MTT assay and cytotoxicity testing. Corrosion was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after 0.5 mA, 60 min stimulation. The straightness was measured using a gap length of 100 mm, and tensile testing was performed by imposing a maximum tensile load. Results. Phosphor bronze, Ni coated SS304, were deemed inappropriate materials because of mild-to-moderate cytotoxicity and corrosion. Ti-6Al-4V and SS316 showed no cytotoxicity or corrosion. Ti-6Al-4V has a 70 times higher cost and 2.5 times lower conductivity than SS316. The results of both straightness and tensile testing confirmed that SS316 can be manufactured as a standard product. Conclusion. As a result, we confirmed that SS316 can be used a new EA electrode material. We hope that a further study of the maximum capacity of low-frequency stimulation using an SS316 for safe operation.

Using 32 CMIP5（Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5） models, this study examines the veracity in the simulation of cloud amount and their radiative effects（CREs） in the historical run driven by observed external radiative forcing for 1850-2005, and their future changes in the RCP（Representative Concentration Pathway） 4.5 scenario runs for2006-2100. Validation metrics for the historical run are designed to examine the accuracy in the representation of spatial patterns for climatological mean, and annual and interannual variations of clouds and CREs. The models show large spread in the simulation of cloud amounts, specifically in the low cloud amount. The observed relationship between cloud amount and the controlling large-scale environment are also reproduced diversely by various models. Based on the validation metrics,four models-ACCESS1.0, ACCESS1.3, Had GEM2-CC, and Had GEM2-ES-are selected as best models, and the average of the four models performs more skillfully than the multimodel ensemble average.All models project global-mean SST warming at the increase of the greenhouse gases, but the magnitude varies across the simulations between 1 and 2 K, which is largely attributable to the difference in the change of cloud amount and distribution. The models that simulate more SST warming show a greater increase in the net CRE due to reduced low cloud and increased incoming shortwave radiation, particularly over the regions of marine boundary layer in the subtropics. Selected best-performing models project a significant reduction in global-mean cloud amount of about-0.99% K^-1and net radiative warming of 0.46 W m^-2K^-1, suggesting a role of positive feedback to global warming.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a dominant cause of chronic liver disease, but the exact mechanism of progression from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unknown. Here, we investigated the role of exosomes in NAFLD progression. Exosomes were isolated from a human hepatoma cell line treated with palmitic acid (PA) and their miRNA profiles examined by microarray. The human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line (LX-2) was then treated with exosome isolated from hepatocytes. Compared with controls, PA-treated hepatocytes displayed significantly increased CD36 and exosome production. The microarray analysis showed there to be distinctive miRNA expression patterns between exosomes from vehicle- and PA-treated hepatocytes. When LX-2 cells were cultured with exosomes from PA-treated hepatocytes, the expression of genes related to the development of fibrosis were significantly amplified compared to those treated with exosomes from vehicle-treated hepatocytes. In conclusion, PA treatment enhanced the production of exosomes in these hepatocytes and changed their exosomal miRNA profile. Moreover, exosomes derived from PA-treated hepatocytes caused an increase in the expression levels of fibrotic genes in HSCs. Therefore, exosomes may have important roles in the crosstalk between hepatocytes and HSCs in the progression from simple steatosis to NASH.

Despite the importance of glucose and amino acids for energy metabolism, interactions between the two nutrients are not well understood. We provide evidence for a role of leucyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (LARS1) in glucose-dependent control of leucine usage. Upon glucose starvation, LARS1 was phosphorylated by Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) at the residues crucial for leucine binding. The phosphorylated LARS1 showed decreased leucine binding, which may inhibit protein synthesis and help save energy. Leucine that is not used for anabolic processes may be available for catabolic pathway energy generation. The LARS1-mediated changes in leucine utilization might help support cell survival under glucose deprivation. Thus, depending on glucose availability, LARS1 may help regulate whether leucine is used for protein synthesis or energy production.

Medium cut-off (MCO) dialyzers help remove larger middle molecules associated with symptoms related to the accumulation of uremic retention solutes. We investigated the effect of an MCO dialyzer on the improvement of quality of life (QOL) in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients. Forty-nine HD patients with high-flux dialysis were randomly assigned to either an MCO (Theranova 400, Baxter) or a high-flux (FX CorDiax 80 or 60, Fresenius Medical Care) dialyzer and completed the study. QOL was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form-36, and pruritus was assessed using a questionnaire and visual analog scale. The reduction ratios of middle molecules were also evaluated. Laboratory markers, including serum albumin, did not differ between the two groups after 12 weeks. Removals of kappa and lambda free light chains were greater for MCO dialyzer than high-flux dialyzer. The MCO group had higher scores than the high-flux group in the domains of physical functioning and physical role (75.2 ± 20.8 vs. 59.8 ± 30.1, P  = 0.042; 61.5 ± 37.6 vs. 39.0 ± 39.6, P  = 0.047, respectively), and the MCO group had lower mean scores for morning pruritus distribution and the frequency of scratching during sleep (1.29 ± 0.46 vs. 1.64 ± 0.64, P  = 0.034; 0.25 ± 0.53 vs. 1.00 ± 1.47, P  = 0.023, respectively). MCO dialyzers may improve patient-reported outcomes, particularly the physical components of QOL and uremic pruritus, in patients with high-flux dialyzers.