Background and Purpose-Statins have neuroprotective effects on ischemic stroke. They modify the endothelial function, increase blood flow, and inhibit thrombus formation, which are independent of lipid-lowering effects. However, whether statins have a protective effect toward hemorrhagic stroke is yet unknown. To test this possibility, we attempted to determine the effect of atorvastatin on experimental intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods-ICH was induced using stereotaxic infusion of collagenase into the left basal ganglia in adult rats. Atorvastatin(1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline was administered for 2 weeks. To monitor the sensorimotor deficits, limb placing and Rotorod tests were performed. Hematoma volume, brain water content, and hemispheric atrophy were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining for myeloperoxidase (MPO), microglia (OX42), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was performed. Perihematomal cell death was determined by TUNEL staining. Results-The atorvastatin-treated ICH group showed better performance on Rotorod and limb placing tests when compared with the vehicle-treated group (PϽ0.01). The hematoma volumes between groups were not different, but the brain water content and hemispheric atrophy were reduced in the atorvastatin-treated ICH group. Atorvastatin reduced TUNELpositive cells, iNOS expression, and MPO-positive or OX42-positive cells in the perihematomal regions in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it increased eNOS expression. Conclusion-The present study shows that atorvastatin reduces the perihematomal cell death via antiinflammation, which is associated with sensorimotor recovery after experimental ICH.

Summary:The selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor has been reported to have antiinflammatory, neuroprotective, and antioxidant effects in ischemia models. In this study, the authors examined whether a selective COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) reduces cerebral inflammation and edema after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and whether functional recovery is sustained with longer treatment. ICH was induced using collagenase in adult rats. Celecoxib (10 or 20 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 20 minutes, 6 hours, and 24 hours after ICH and then daily thereafter. Seventy-two hours after ICH induction, the rats were killed for histologic assessment and measurement of brain edema and prostaglandin E 2 . Behavioral tests were performed before and 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after ICH. The brain water content of celecoxib-treated rats decreased both in lesioned and nonlesioned hemispheres in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the ICH-only group, the number of TUNEL-positive, myeloperoxidase-positive, or OX42-positive cells was decreased in the periphery of hematoma and brain prostaglandin E 2 level was reduced in the celecoxib-treated group. Celecoxib-treated rats recovered better by the behavioral tests at 7 days after ICH throughout the 28-day period, and the earlier the drug was administered, the better the functional recovery. Evidence of similar effects in an autologous blood-injected model showed that direct collagenase toxicity was not the major cause of inflammation or cell death. These data suggest that celecoxib treatment after ICH reduces prostaglandin E 2 production, brain edema, inflammation, and perihematomal cell death in the perihematomal zone and induces better functional recovery.

The prevalence of IBS in the Korean population is 6.6%, and the male:female ratio is similar. Also, IBS is more frequent in younger subjects. Irritable bowel syndrome subjects visited a physician mostly due to abdominal pain.

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An ultra-thin, stretchable, and transparent hydrogenbonded poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(acrylic acid) ([PEO/PAA] n ) bilayer (BL) positive triboelectric film was developed using a low-cost and eco-friendly layer-by-layer method. [PEO/PAA] n films exhibited remarkable output performance, enabling designability, foldability, and sustainability for versatile application of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). The dependence of TENG behaviors on thickness was investigated by varying the number of BLs in [PEO/PAA] n films. It was demonstrated that a 1.6-μm-thick [PEO/PAA] 20 TENG resulted in an optimal electrical output performance of 303 V and 36.1 mA m −2 , owing to a higher affinity for electron donation and the lowest work function. A free-standing (FS) skin-like [PEO/PAA] 100 TENG was designed for shape-adaptive kirigami-type nanogenerators, exhibiting ∼100% ultrahigh transparency, ∼900% super-stretchability, and extraordinary foldability to 1/32 its original size. Thus, FS-TENG could be attached to the skin, a wall, or the insole of a shoe, showing an output of 321, 501, and 319 V, respectively, enough to simultaneously turn on 39 green LEDs by manually tapping or running.

Context: γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter and it is well established that activation of GABAA receptors favours sleep. l-Theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid first discovered in green tea, is a well-known anti-anxiety supplement with proven relaxation benefits.Objective: This study investigated the potential synergistic sleep enhancement effect of GABA/l-theanine mixture.Materials and methods: Pentobarbital-induced sleep test was applied to find proper concentration for sleep-promoting effect in ICR mice. Electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis was performed to investigate total sleeping time and sleep quality in normal SD rats and caffeine-induced awareness model. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to investigate whether the sleep-promoting mechanism of GABA/l-theanine mixture involved transcriptional processes.Results: GABA/l-theanine mixture (100/20 mg/kg) showed a decrease in sleep latency (20.7 and 14.9%) and an increase in sleep duration (87.3 and 26.8%) compared to GABA or theanine alone. GABA/l-theanine mixture led to a significant increase in rapid eye movement (REM) (99.6%) and non-REM (NREM) (20.6%) compared to controls. The use of GABA/l-theanine mixture rather than GABA or l-theanine alone restored to normal levels sleep time and quality in the arousal animal model. The administration of GABA/l-theanine led to increased expression of GABA and the glutamate GluN1 receptor subunit.Conclusions: GABA/l-theanine mixture has a positive synergistic effect on sleep quality and duration as compared to the GABA or l-theanine alone. The increase in GABA receptor and GluN1 expression is attributed to the potential neuromodulatory properties of GABA/l-theanine combination, which seems to affect sleep behaviour.

BackgroundKorean cactus Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) is rich in pectin, phenols, flavonoids, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Some Koreans drink Cheonnyuncho juice prepared by grinding Cheonnyuncho with water. Cheonnyuncho is well known for its functional properties and antioxidant effects, but its effect on constipation has not been sufficiently studied.MethodsLoperamide (2 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously to induce constipation in rats. The animals were divided into four groups: a normal group (NOR), constipation control group (CON), and two constipation groups receiving the Cheonnyuncho extract (CE) at two different concentrations in drinking water, 3% (L-CE group) and 6% (H-CE group), for 25 days.ResultsThe fecal pellet numbers of NOR and L-CE were significantly increased from 35.67 ± 2.09 (CON) to 50.60 ± 1.38 and 46.50 ± 2.91 after loperamide treatment, respectively (p < 0.05). The water content of fecal excretions was significantly enhanced in only the L-CE group (33.05 ± 0.49%) compared to control (23.38 ± 1.26%) (p < 0.05) after loperamide treatment. The oral intake of CE (L-CE and H-CE groups) significantly increased levels of the intestinal transit ratio (45.25 ± 1.86% and 41.05 ± 2.47%, respectively) compared to the CON group (32.15 ± 2.05%) (p < 0.05). Treatment with the low concentration of CE significantly increased fecal levels of acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids, as well as the total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration. Histological analyses revealed that the thickness of the distal colon also increased in the CE-treated groups in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionsConstipation decreased when CE was fed to the rats. In particular, the fecal pellet number and water content, as well as histological parameters such as distal colon thickness, improved. The CE treatment also increased the fecal SCFA content. These results show that the extract of Cheonnyuncho (O. humifusa) alleviated the symptoms of loperamide-induced constipation.

Abstract:The objective of this study was to map the distribution pattern of gentrification, showing the adverse effect of urban parks. The study adopted the perspective that urban parks, which have thus far been featured in urban planning without much criticism, may actually bring about unintended effects. This study employed a theory of gentrification that has received increasing interest in urban sociology to investigate the other side of the gentrification phenomenon. We identified urban parks as the cause of the gentrification from the start, and verified and visualised the phenomenon in the case of the Gyeongui Line Forest Park. We determined that the area with the higher possibility of gentrification was that within 600 m of the park. Big data accumulated over the past decade were used to prepare a proactive, systematic procedure to address gentrification, which is materialising in diverse forms. Through this study, we contribute to debates on the environmental justice of urban parks. Small changes in urban space can strongly affect our healthy lifestyles and urban sustainability. From this perspective, our study's research process and its results could provide indications of how to structure and manage new urban planning projects in the future.