Toll‑like receptor 2 promotes bacterial clearance during the initial stage of pulmonary infection with Acinetobacter baumannii.

Toll‑like receptor 2 (TLR2) has been identified as a sensor for bacterial lipoprotein. To determine the role of TLR2 in host defense against Acinetobacter baumannii infection, wild‑type (WT) and TLR2‑deficient mice were infected intranasally with A. baumannii.

Diverse Toll-like receptors mediate cytokine production by Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in macrophages.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) orchestrate a repertoire of immune responses in macrophages against various pathogens. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans are two important periodontal pathogens. In the present study, we investigated TLR signaling regulating cytokine production of macrophages in response to F.

Activation of TOPK by lipopolysaccharide promotes induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase through NF-κB activity in leukemia cells.

T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK) is known to be involved in tumorigenesis or cancer progression. However, the role of TOPK in inflammatory response remains elusive. Here we show that TOPK positively regulates inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression and nitric oxide (NO) production in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Low-volume exercise training and vitamin E supplementation attenuates oxidative stress in postmenopausal women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-volume exercise training (90 min/wk) and vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women. The participants were non-randomly assigned the following four groups: control (C, n=8), vitamin E (S, n=8), exercise (Ex, n=6), or vitamin E and exercise (S+Ex, n=7). The S and S+Ex groups were instructed to take vitamin E (α-tocopherol, 300 mg/d) capsules for 12 wk.

Combination of AG490, a Jak2 inhibitor, and methylsulfonylmethane synergistically suppresses bladder tumor growth via the Jak2/STAT3 pathway.

Human urinary bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer, with a worldwide estimate of about two million patients. Recurrence after complete transurethral prostatic resection is the most important problem in therapy. Combination therapy is a new approach in the treatment of cancers that do not respond to current therapies.

Novel anti-nociceptive effects of cardamonin via blocking expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and transglutaminase-2.

Recently, we reported that Alpinia katsumadai (AK) has anti-nociceptive activity in vivo and that cardamonin (CDN) from AK suppresses the activity and expression of transglutaminase-2 (Tgase-2). However, it remains unknown whether CDN contributes to the anti-nociceptive activities of AK in vivo. We examined the anti-inflammatory effects of CDN in MG63 osteoblast-like cells and Raw264.

Muramyl dipeptide potentiates staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid induction of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in macrophages.

Gram-positive bacteria contain lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PGN) layers, both of which are considered as major virulence factors associated with inflammation. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in the inflammation by generating prostaglandins at infections. Since LTA and PGN are thought to cooperate in the establishment of inflammation, we examined the ability of staphylococcal LTA (Sa.

The association between physical activity and sex-specific oxidative stress in older adults.

Oxidative stress increases with advancing age and is a mediator of several diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Moreover, postmenopausal women have a lower estrogen concentration, which is associated with elevated oxidative stress. However, there is no definitive evidence regarding the relationship between daily physical activity and oxidative stress status in older adults, including postmenopausal women.

Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells reduce colitis in mice by activating NOD2 signaling to COX2.

Background & Aims: Decreased levels or function of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) are associated with Crohn's disease. NOD2 regulates intestinal inflammation, and also is expressed by human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs), to regulate their differentiation. We investigated whether NOD2 is required for the anti-inflammatory activities of MSCs in mice with colitis.

Hwanggeumchal sorghum extract enhances BMP7 and GH signaling through the activation of Jak2/STAT5B in MC3T3‑E1 osteoblastic cells.

Sorghum is a principal cereal food in a number of parts of the world and is critical in folk medicine in Asia and Africa. However, its effects on bone are unknown. Growth hormone (GH) is a regulator of bone growth and bone metabolism.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis RpfB drives Th1-type T cell immunity via a TLR4-dependent activation of dendritic cells.

The failure of Mycobacterium bovis BCG as a TB vaccine against TB reactivation suggests that latency-associated proteins should be included in alternative TB vaccine development. Further, antigens known to generate protective immunity against the strong Th1 stimulatory response to reactivated TB should be included in novel vaccine design. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of Rpfs from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the reactivation process and cellular immunity.

The Cag pathogenicity island and interaction between TLR2/NOD2 and NLRP3 regulate IL-1β production in Helicobacter pylori infected dendritic cells.

Helicobacter pylori colonization of the stomach affects about half of the world population and is associated with the development of gastritis, ulcers, and cancer. Polymorphisms in the IL1B gene are linked to an increased risk of H. pylori associated cancer, but the bacterial and host factors that regulate interleukin (IL)-1β production in response to H.

TLR7 expression is decreased during tumour progression in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate mice and its activation inhibits growth of prostate cancer cells.

Problem: Although various Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been associated with immune response and tumorigenesis in the prostate cells, little is known about the role of TLR7. Accordingly, we examined the expression of TLR7 during tumour progression of TRMAP (transgenic mouse model for prostate cancer) mice and its role on cell growth.

Method Of Study: Toll-like receptor7 expression was examined by RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.

Effects of low-volume walking programme and vitamin E supplementation on oxidative damage and health-related variables in healthy older adults.

Background: Both exercise and vitamin E supplementation have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease risk in older adults, and when combined there is evidence suggesting that they act synergistically. The currently recommended amount of exercise for older adults is 150 min/week of moderate-intensity exercise; however, the minimum amount of exercise necessary to achieve health benefits is not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of participation in a low-volume walking exercise programme (i.

Microanalysis of stomach cancer glycosaminoglycans.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) are anionic, linear, polysaccharides involved in cell signaling. The GAG content, composition and structure of human tissue have been suggested to play a role in cancer and might provide useful diagnostic or prognostic markers. The current study examines 17 stomach tissue biopsy samples taken from normal individuals and from patients with gastric cancers.

In vitro and in vivo growth inhibition of prostate cancer by the small molecule imiquimod.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. In the present study, we examined in vitro and in vivo antitumor effect of the small molecule imiquimod, also known as a TLR7 agonist, against prostate cancer. Imiquimod inhibited the growth of mouse (TRAMP‑C2) and human (PC-3) prostate cancer cells.

The role of Nod1 signaling in corneal neovascularization.

Purpose: Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is associated with Chlamydia trachomatis. The minimal components of bacterial cell walls are recognized by nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein (Nod), which is important for host defense--a mechanism manifested in human corneal cells. We aimed to examine whether Nod stimulation is associated with CNV.

A case of sigmoid colon tuberculosis mimicking colon cancer.

Tuberculosis of the sigmoid colon is a rare disorder. An 80-year-old man visited Bongseng Memorial Hospital for medical examination. A colonoscopy was performed, and a lesion in the sigmoid colon that was suspected to be colon cancer was found.

Complete genome analysis of three live attenuated Rinderpest virus vaccine strains derived through serial passages in different culture systems.

The genomes of three South Korean Rinderpest virus vaccine strains (L72, LA77, and LA96) were analyzed in order to investigate their genetic variability. These three vaccine strains were all derived from the same virus strain origin (Fusan) through repeated passages in different culture systems. The full genome length of the three strains was 15,882 nucleotides, and the sequence similarity between the three South Korean RPV strains at the nucleotide level was 98.

Low-volume exercise training attenuates oxidative stress and neutrophils activation in older adults.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-volume exercise training (100 min/week) on oxidative stress and neutrophils activation markers in older adults. Twenty-eight older adults (age range 65-78 years) were assigned into control (n = 14) or exercise (n = 14) groups. The exercise program consisted of walking 30-60 min/session, 2 days each week for 12 weeks.

Myeloid cell leukemia-1 is a key molecular target for mithramycin A-induced apoptosis in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells and a tumor xenograft animal model.

Mithramycin A (Mith) is a natural polyketide that has been used in multiple areas of research including apoptosis of various cancer cells. Here, we examined the critical role of Mith in apoptosis and its molecular mechanism in DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells and tumor xenografts. Mith decreased cell growth and induced apoptosis in DU145 and PC-3 cells.

Essential role of toll-like receptor 4 in Acinetobacter baumannii-induced immune responses in immune cells.

TLR4 is a membrane sensor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major cell wall component of gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we investigated the role of TLR4 on innate immune responses in immune cells against Acinetobacter baumannii. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) were isolated from WT and TLR4-deficient mice and infected with A.

Critical role of Toll-like receptor 2 in Bacteroides fragilis-mediated immune responses in murine peritoneal mesothelial cells.

In this study, the role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in immune responses of murine peritoneal mesothelial cells against Bacteroides fragilis was investigated. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure cytokines and chemokines. Activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB-α) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) was investigated by western blot analysis.

[A case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma associated with Type IV choledochal cyst].

Anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary duct (AUPBD) is a congenital anomaly that is defined as a junction of the bile duct and pancreatic duct outside the duodenal wall. This anomaly results in a loss of normal sphincteric mechanisms at the pancreaticobiliary junction. As a result, regurgitation of pancreatic juice into the biliary system develops and causes choledochal cysts, choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, pancreatitis and malignancy of the biliary tract.

Kinetic Analysis of CpG-Induced Mouse B Cell Growth and Ig Production.

Immune cells express toll-like receptors (TLRs) and respond to molecular patterns of various pathogens. CpG motif in bacterial DNA activates innate and acquired immune systems through binding to TLR9 of immune cells. Several studies reported that CpG can directly regulate B cell activation, differentiation, and Ig production.