Summary Alterations in estrogen-mediated cellular signaling play an essential role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In addition to higher estrogen receptor (ER)β levels, enhanced ERβ activity was detected in endometriotic tissues, and the inhibition of enhanced ERβ activity by an ERβ-selective antagonist suppressed mouse ectopic lesion growth. Notably, gain of ERβ function stimulated the progression of endometriosis. As a mechanism to evade endogenous immune surveillance for cell survival, ERβ interacts with cellular apoptotic machinery in the cytoplasm to inhibit TNFα-induced apoptosis. ERβ also interacts with components of the cytoplasmic inflammasome to increase interleukin-1β and thus enhance its cellular adhesion and proliferation properties. Furthermore, this gain of ERβ function enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition signaling, thereby increasing the invasion activity of endometriotic tissues for establishment of ectopic lesions. Collectively, we reveal how endometrial tissue generated by retrograde menstruation can escape immune surveillance and develop into sustained ectopic lesions via gain of ERβ function.

Cold induces expression of a number of genes that encode proteins that enhance tolerance to freezing temperatures in plants 1,2 . A cis-acting element responsive to cold and drought, the C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element (C/DRE), was identified in the Arabidopsis thaliana stress-inducible genes

In this paper, we conduct a literature survey on various virtual reality (VR) treatments in psychiatry. We collected 36 studies that used VR to provide clinical trials or therapies for patients with psychiatric disorders. In order to gain a better understanding of the management of pain and stress, we first investigate VR applications for patients to alleviate pain and stress during immersive activities in a virtual environment. VR exposure therapies are particularly effective for anxiety, provoking realistic reactions to feared stimuli. On top of that, exposure therapies with simulated images are beneficial for patients with psychiatric disorders such as phobia and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, VR environments have shown the possibility of changing depression, cognition, even social functions. We review empirical evidence from VR-based treatments on psychiatric illnesses such as dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), schizophrenia and autism. Through cognitive training and social skill training, rehabilitation through VR therapies helps patients to improve their quality of life. Recent advances in VR technology also demonstrate potential abilities to address cognitive and functional impairments in dementia. In terms of the different types of VR systems, we discuss the feasibility of the technology within different stages of dementia as well as the methodological limitations. Although there is room for improvement, its widespread adoption in psychiatry is yet to occur due to technical drawbacks such as motion sickness and dry eyes, as well as user issues such as preoccupation and addiction. However, it is worth mentioning that VR systems relatively easily deliver virtual environments with well-controlled sensory stimuli. In the future, VR systems may become an innovative clinical tool for patients with specific psychiatric symptoms.

BackgroundCancer screening rates in Korea for five cancer types have increased steadily since 2002. With regard to the life-time cancer screening rates in 2009 according to cancer sites, the second highest was breast cancer (78.1%) and the third highest was cervical cancer (76.1%). Despite overall increases in the screening rate, disparities in breast and cervical cancer screening, based on sociodemographic characteristics, still exist.MethodsData from 4,139 women aged 40 to74 years from the 2005 to 2009 Korea National Cancer Screening Survey were used to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and receiving mammograms and Pap smears. The main outcome measures were ever having had a mammogram and ever having had a Pap smear. Using these items of information, we classified women into those who had had both types of screening, only one screening type, and neither screening type. We used logistic regression to investigate relationships between screening history and sociodemographic characteristics of the women.ResultsBeing married, having a higher education, a rural residence, and private health insurance were significantly associated with higher rates of breast and cervical cancer screening after adjusting for age and sociodemographic factors. Household income was not significantly associated with mammograms or Pap smears after adjusting for age and sociodemographic factors.ConclusionsDisparities in breast and cervical cancer screening associated with low sociodemographic status persist in Korea.

The U-box motif is a conserved domain found in the diverse isoforms of E3 ubiquitin ligase in eukaryotes. From water-stressed hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv Pukang) plants, we isolated C. annuum putative U-box protein 1 (CaPUB1), which encodes a protein containing a single U-box motif in its N-terminal region. In vitro ubiquitination and site-directed mutagenesis assays revealed that CaPUB1 possessed E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and that the U-box motif was indeed essential for its enzyme activity. RNA gel-blot analysis showed that CaPUB1 mRNA was induced rapidly by a broad spectrum of abiotic stresses, including drought, high salinity, cold temperature, and mechanical wounding, but not in response to ethylene, abscisic acid, or a bacterial pathogen, suggesting its role in the early events in the abiotic-related defense response. Because transgenic work was extremely difficult in hot pepper, in this study we overexpressed CaPUB1 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) to provide cellular information on the function of this gene in the development and plant responses to abiotic stresses. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants that constitutively expressed the CaPUB1 gene under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter had markedly longer hypocotyls and roots and grew more rapidly than the wild type, leading to an early bolting phenotype. Microscopic analysis showed that 35STCaPUB1 roots had increased numbers of small-sized cells, resulting in disordered, highly populated cell layers in the cortex, endodermis, and stele. In addition, CaPUB1-overexpressing plants displayed increased sensitivity to water stress and mild salinity. These results indicate that CaPUB1 is functional in Arabidopsis cells, thereby effectively altering cell and tissue growth and also the response to abiotic stresses. Comparative proteomic analysis showed that the level of RPN6 protein, a non-ATPase subunit of the 26S proteasome complex, was significantly reduced in 35STCaPUB1 seedlings as compared to the wild type. Pull-down and ubiquitination assays demonstrated that RPN6 interacted physically with CaPUB1 and was ubiquitinated in a CaPUB1-dependent manner in vitro. Although the physiological function of CaPUB1 is not yet clear, there are several possibilities for its involvement in a subset of physiological responses to counteract dehydration and high-salinity stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings.

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The present work demonstrates that Cy5.5 conjugated Fe3O4/SiO2 core/shell nanoparticles could allow us to control movement of human natural killer cells (NK-92MI) by an external magnetic field. Required concentration of the nanoparticles for the cell manipulation is as low as ~20 μg Fe/mL. However, the relative ratio of the nanoparticles loaded NK-92MI cells infiltrated into the target tumor site is enhanced by 17-fold by applying magnetic field and their killing activity is still maintained as same as the NK-92MI cells without the nanoparticles. This approach allows us to open alternative clinical treatment with reduced toxicity of the nanoparticles and enhanced infiltration of immunology to the target site.

Dermatophytosis is a superficial infection caused by keratinophilic fungi, known as dermatophytes, in keratinized tissues including hair, nail and stratum corneum of skin. The dermatophytes include three genera: Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. The species that most commonly infect animals are Microsporum canis, M. gypseum and Trichopyton mentagrophyte. The fungi invade into keratinized tissues and hair follicles, and cause patchy alopecia, scale, and subsequent inflammation.1,2) Traditional antifungal drugs have variable adverse effects, and fungal resistance is becoming more common. Thus, more potent and safer antifungal agents need to be developed. [3][4][5] Various plant materials are believed to have antifungal activity, and many essential oils have been reported to have antifungal activities. [6][7][8] Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) is an evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae family with antibacterial and anticandidal activities as well as a sedative, stress-reducing effect which decreases serum cortisol levels.9,10) Eugenol and nerolidol are extracted from an essential oil from Japanese cypress. Eugenol is a major phenolic component of clove oil used in dentistry as a root canal sealer. Eugenol has been reported to inhibit the growth of bacteria, including oral bacteria 11) and some gram positive and negative bacteria (Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogens), Lactobacillus sakei) by interaction with the cell membrane.12,13) Anticandidal activities of Eugenol have also been described in vitro and in vivo. 14,15) Silva et al. demonstrated that eugenol, a main constituent of essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum, has antidermatophytic activities in vitro; this effect has not been confirmed in vivo. Nerolidol is a sesquiterpenoid component of essential oil used to enhance flavor and aroma, and has been studied as a topical skin penetration enhancer. [16][17][18] In addition, nerolidol has inhibitory activities on S. aureus and E. coli by altering bacterial cell permeability, 19,20) but it has not been evaluated for antifungal activities.Thus, in the present study, antifungal activities of the essential oils, eugenol and nerolidol, were evaluated against dermatophytes. The antifungal activities of these biomaterials were assessed against one dermatophyte, M. gypseum, using the microdilution method in a guinea pig model. 21,22) MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental AnimalsIn the present study, 20 male albino guinea pigs (5-week old, 350 to 400 g) were obtained from Dae Han Biolink Co., Ltd. (Eumsung, Chungbuk, Korea). All animals were individually housed in polycarbonate cages, and used after acclimation to an environmentally controlled room (temperature: 23Ϯ2°C, relative humidity: 50Ϯ10%, frequent ventilation and 12 h light cycle). All experimental and animal procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Chungbuk National University.Test Materials Eugenol and nerolidol were extracted from Japanese cypress at the Department...