Abstract. Forsythiae Fructus is known to have diuretic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examined the hepatoprotective effects of pinoresinol, a lignan isolated from Forsythiae Fructus, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced liver injury. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle or pinoresinol (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) 30 min before and 2 h after CCl 4 (20 μ l/kg) injection. In the vehicle-treated CCl 4 group, serum aminotransferase activities were significantly increased 24 h after CCl 4 injection, and these increases were attenuated by pinoresinol at all doses. Hepatic glutathione contents were significantly decreased and lipid peroxidation was increased after CCl 4 treatment. These changes were attenuated by 50 and 100 mg/kg of pinoresinol. The levels of protein and mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α , inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2, were significantly increased after CCl 4 injection; and these increases were attenuated by pinoresinol. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κ B) and phosphorylation of c-Jun, one of the components of activating protein 1 (AP-1), were inhibited by pinoresinol. Our results suggest that pinoresinol ameliorates CCl 4 -induced acute liver injury, and this protection is likely due to antioxidative activity and down-regulation of inflammatory mediators through inhibition of NF-κ B and AP-1.

Background/AimsHydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy may result in severe and irreversible vision loss, emphasising the importance of screening and early detection. The purpose of this study is to report the novel finding of early optical coherence tomography (OCT) abnormalities due to HCQ toxicity that may develop in the setting of normal Humphrey visual field (HVF) testing.MethodsData from patients with chronic HCQ exposure was obtained from seven tertiary care retina centres. Ten patients with HCQ-associated OCT abnormalities and normal HVF testing were identified. Detailed analysis of the OCT findings and ancillary tests including colour fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, multifocal electroretinography and microperimetry was performed in these patients.ResultsSeventeen eyes from 10 patients illustrated abnormalities with OCT and normal HVF testing. These OCT alterations included (1) attenuation of the parafoveal ellipsoid zone and (2) loss of a clear continuous interdigitation zone. Several eyes progressed to advanced parafoveal outer retinal disruption and/or paracentral visual field defects.ConclusionPatients with high risk HCQ exposure and normal HVF testing may develop subtle but characteristic OCT abnormalities. This novel finding indicates that, in some cases of early HCQ toxicity, structural alterations may precede functional impairment. It is therefore important to employ a screening approach that includes OCT to assess for these early findings. Ancillary testing should be considered in cases with suspicious OCT changes and normal HVFs.

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The increased attention to the use of popular music within the classroom is not new. In fact, music educators in many countries have discussed the incorporation of popular music into mainstream music education for decades. South Korea is no exception, and the younger generation has a genuine interest in and sensitivity toward popular music. Yet, South Korea has been slow to incorporate popular music into its mainstream school music curriculum. Recently, the popular band has been gaining its popularity as a new kind of ensemble program inside and outside the school in South Korea. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a popular band program, the “Little Bob Dylan Band,” on students’ musical and extra-musical outcomes. Thirty-five students participated in the program, and, in this study, both students and their parents completed a survey and were individually interviewed. Results indicated that the program enabled students to have new and deepened musical experiences in their lives. In addition, students were able to develop artistic originality through an integrated curriculum that involved cooperation with peers while creating and playing music together.

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