Uremic pruritus: pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatments

Ko Mei-Ju,Peng Yu-Sen,Wu Hon-Yen 대한신장학회 2023 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.42 No.1

Uremic pruritus is one of the most common and bothersome symptoms in patients with end-stage renal disease. Most patients withuremic pruritus experience a prolonged and relapsing course and significant impairments of quality of life. The pathophysiology of uremicpruritus is not completely understood. A complex interplay among cutaneous biology and the nervous and immune systems hasbeen implicated, with the involvement of various inflammatory mediators, neurotransmitters, and opioids. Uremic pruritus treatmentoutcomes are often unsatisfactory. Clinical trials have mostly been small in scale and have reported inconsistent results. Recent evidenceshows that gabapentinoids, nalfurafine, and difelikefalin are effective for relieving uremic pruritus in hemodialysis patients.This review provides an overview of the epidemiology and proposed mechanisms of uremic pruritus, then highlights the manifestationsof and clinical approach to uremic pruritus. Current evidence regarding treatment options, including topical treatments, treatmentof underlying disease, phototherapy, and systemic treatments, is also outlined. With a better understanding of uremic pruritus,more therapeutic options can be expected in the near future.

중국 조선족의 민족 정체성과 한국 드라마의 수용

구향미 ( Xiang Mei Ju ),최향단 ( Cui Xiang Dan ) 조선대학교 사회과학연구원 2012 서석사회과학논총 Vol.5 No.1

본 연구는 중국조선족 수용자들을 대상으로 한 심층인터뷰 분석자료를 토대로, 한국드라마 수용과정에서 나타나는 중국조선족의 민족 정체성을 분석하고자 했다. 연구결과, 첫째, 한국드라마 수용 동기에서 중국 조선족 수용자들의 민족 정체성이 다양하게 나타났다. 한국드라마 수용 동기나 선호이유에 있어서는 응답자의 민족 정체성 관련 여부에 따라서 세 부류로 나뉘어졌다. 첫 번째 부류에 속해 있는 응답자들은 민족성이 강하며 한국드라마를 수용하는 동기를 민족적인 요소와 스스로 연결시켰다. 두 번째 부류의 응답자들은 한국드라마 수용 동기를 민족과 연결 짓지 않았지만 친근감을 느끼게 되어 민족 정체성의 표현으로 판단되었다. 세 번째 부류는 민족 정체성보다 한국드라마 자체의 매력 때문에 수용하는 경우이다. 이러한 구분은 또한 연령층의 차이에 따라 다르게 나타났다. 나이가 많을수록 민족 정체성이 강한 수용동기를 나타내고 나이가 어릴수록 민족적인 요소보다도 한국드라마 자체에 매력을 느끼는 경향을 알아 볼 수 있었다. 둘째, 한국드라마 수용 과정에서 중국 조선족 수용자들은 자신의 민족 정체성을 발견하고 고민하며 강화하는 과정을 거치면서 민족 정체성이 형성되기도 한다. 셋째, 중국 조선족 수용자의 민족 정체성은 한국드라마 수용동기에 영향을 미치며 모순적, 우월적, 배타적, 자아 존중적, 탈조선(모국)적 등 5가지 특성을 보여준다. This paper takes the Chinese Korean Ethnic Minority as the research object and analyzes the ethnic identity that the Chinese Korean Ethnic Minority show in the process of watching Korean dramas according to a deep interview. Here are the results of my research as follows. First of all, in terms of the motives of watching Koreandramas, the Chinese Korean Ethnic Minority`sethnicidentitypresents variously. considering the motives and preference of watching Korean dramas, the characteristics of ethnic identity can be divided into three types. The respondents who belong to the first type show a strong sense of ethnic identity and are associated their motives of watching Korean dramas with ethnic factors involuntarily. Although the respondents who belong to the second type don`t attribute the motives of watching Korean dramas to ethnic factors, their affinity with Korean dramas also can be judged as a manifestation of ethnic identity. The respondents who belong to the third type watch Korean dramas due to being attracted by the charm of Korean dramas rather than ethnic identity. What`s interesting, the intensity of ethnic identity reflected from the motives of watching Korean dramas difference according to the various age groups. It obviously shows the tendency that the senior show a stronger sense of ethnic identity while the junior are attracted by the charm of Korean dramas regardless of ethnic restrictions. secondly, in the process of watching Korean dramas, the Chinese Korean Ethnic Minority will find, contemplate and strengthen their sense of ethnic identity by themselves. the last, affected by the motives of watching Korean dramas, the Chinese Korean Ethnic Minority’s ethnic identity has several characteristics such as contradiction, superiority, exclusiveness, self-respect and so on.

Effect of 7, 8-dihydroxyflavone on the up-regulation of Nrf2-mediated heme oxygenase-1 expression in hamster lung fibroblasts.

Ryu, Min Ju,Kang, Kyoung Ah,Piao, Mei Jing,Kim, Ki Cheon,Zheng, Jian,Yao, Cheng Wen,Cha, Ji Won,Hyun, Chang Lim,Chung, Ha Sook,Park, Jong Cook,Cho, Suk Ju,Hyun, Jin Won Springer 2014 In vitro cellular & developmental biology Animal Vol.50 No.6

<P>The cytoprotective mechanism of 7, 8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF) against oxidative stress-induced cell damage with respect to its stimulatory effect on the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a potent antioxidant enzyme, was investigated in the present study. Up-regulation of HO-1 expression by DHF was both dose and time dependent in lung fibroblast V79-4 cells. DHF also increased the protein expression level of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and induced the translocation of Nrf2 from the cytosol into the nucleus, leading to elevated HO-1 expression. The siNrf2 RNA-transfection attenuated HO-1 expression induced by DHF treatment. In addition, DHF induced the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), while U0126 (a specific pharmacological inhibitor of ERK kinase) abrogated DHF-activated Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. This suggests that DHF increased the levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 via ERK-dependent pathways. Furthermore, DHF significantly prevented the reduction of cell viability in response to oxidative stress; however, U0126 attenuated the protective effect of DHF. Taken together, these results demonstrate that DHF protected cells from oxidative stress via the activation of an ERK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.</P>

Experiences of Family of Patient with Newly Diagnosed Advanced Terminal Stage Hepatocellular Cancer

Shih, Whei-Mei Jean,Hsiao, Ping-Ju,Chen, Min-Li,Lin, Mei-Hsiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide due to its generally poor prognosis. Caregiver burden for liver cancer cases is higher than with other cancer and needs especial attention. Methods: To explore the experiences of families of patients with newly diagnosed advanced terminal stage hepatocellular cancer by interview. Results: Nine participants were recruited in this study. Content analysis of the interviews revealed four themes: blaming oneself, disrupting the pace of life, searching all possible regimens, and not letting go. Conclusions: This study provides new insight into the needs and support of family members especially when they are facing loved ones with newly diagnosed advanced terminal stage HCC. These results will inform future supportive care service development and intervention research aimed at providing assistance in reducing unmet supportive care needs and psychological distress of these family members.

Altered Distribution and Expression Pattern of E-cadherin in Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Correlations with Prognosis and Clinical Features

Jiang, Xue-Mei,Zhang, Ju-Bo,Xiong, Ju,Huang, Xiao-Xi,Ren, Zheng-Gang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Objective: E-cadherin has been identified as a tumor suppressor in many types of carcinoma. However, some studies recently suggested that the role and expression of E-cadherin might be more complex and diverse. In the present study, we evaluated the prognostic value of E-cadherin expression with reference to levels in membranes and cytoplasm, and the membrane/cytoplasm ratio, in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) after curative hepatectomy. Methods: The expression of E-cadherin was assessed by immunohistochemistry in HCC tissue microarrays from 125 patients, and its prognostic values and other clinicopathlogical data were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were followed for a median period of 43.7 months (range 1 to 126 months). Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated that a high membrane/cytoplasm (M/C) ratio of E-cadherin expression was associated with poor overall survival (OS) (P =0.001) and shorter time to recurrence (TTR) (P=0.038), as well as tumor size, intrahepatic metastasis, and TNM stage. In contrast, neither membrane nor cytoplasmic expression of E-cadherin was related with OS and TTR. Furthermore, multivariate analysis confirmed the M/C ratio to be an independent predictor of OS (P=0.031). ${\chi}^2$ tests additionally showed that the M/C ratio of E-cadherin expression was related with early stage recurrence (P=0.012), rather than later stage recurrence. Conclusion: The M/C ratio of E-cadherin expression is a strong predictor of postoperative survival and is associated with early stage recurrence in patients with HCC.

Novel mono-and bi-functional phosphonium salts deriving from toxic phosphine off-gas as efficient catalysts for chemical fixation of CO2

Ju-Ping Dong,Chen Zhao,Jin-Jun Qiu,Cheng-Mei Liu 한국공업화학회 2020 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.90 No.-

Utilizing phosphine (PH3) tail gas as starting feedstock, a series of novel mono-and bifucntionalphosphonium compounds (P+(CH2CH2CN)3RX , X= Br, I) was prepaed by a sustainable preparation route. The newly prepared phosphonium halides show high thermal stability and their degradationtemperature are far higher than that of CO2 chemicalfixation. The mono-fucntional phosphoniumsalts combinate with ZnBr2 to form an efficient Lewis acid/base type catalytic system for CO2 chemicalfixation and the bifucntional phosphonium salts alone shows same catalytic effects. The effects oftemperature, CO2 pressure, composition of the catalytic system on coupling reaction of CO2 withepoxides are investigated to evaluate the catalytic performance. The results illustrate that 96.7% cyclicCarbonate yield can be obtained in presence of ZnBr2/P+(CH2CH2CN)3C4H9Br (molar ratio = 1:10) under120 C, 1.5MPa of CO2 pressure in solvent-free condition, menawhile bifuntional phiospohonium salt Br-P+(CH2CH2CN)3C2H4COOH alone shows better catalytic perofromance.

Anti-inflammatory activity of bark of Dioscorea batatas DECNE through the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expressions in RAW264.7 cells via NF-κB and ERK1/2 inactivation

( Mei Hua Jin ),( Seok Jong Suh ),( Ju Hye Yang ),( Yue Lu ),( Su Jeong Kim ),( Soon Youl Kwon ),( Tae Hyung Jo ),( Jin Wan Kim ),( Young In Park ),( Ghe Whan Ahn ),( Chong Kil Lee ),( Cheorl Ho Kim ) 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 2011 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 연구업적집 Vol.21 No.-

Live and Dead GFP-Tagged Bacteria Showed Indistinguishable Fluorescence in Caenorhabditis elegans Gut

Ju-Ya Hsiao,Chun-Yao Chen,Mei-Jun Yang,Han-Chen Ho 한국미생물학회 2013 The journal of microbiology Vol.51 No.3

Caenorhabditis elegans has been used for studying hostpathogen interactions since long, and many virulence genes of pathogens have been successfully identified. In several studies, fluorescent pathogens were fed to C. elegans and fluorescence observed in the gut was considered an indicator for bacterial colonization. However, the grinder in the pharynx of these nematodes supposedly crushes the bacterial cells, and the ground material is delivered to the intestine for nutrient absorption. Therefore, it remains unclear whether intact bacteria pass through the grinder and colonize in the intestine. Here we investigated whether the appearance of fluorescence is indicative of intact bacteria in the gut using both fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In wild-type N2 C. elegans, Escherichia coli DH5α, and Vibrio vulnificus 93U204, both of which express the green fluorescence protein, were found intact only proximal to the grinder, while crushed bacterial debris was found in the post-pharyngeal lumen. Nevertheless, the fluorescence was evident throughout the lumen of worm intestines irrespective of whether the bacteria were intact or not. We further investigated the interaction of the bacteria with C. elegans phm-2 mutant, which has a dysfunctional grinder. Both strains of bacteria were found to be intact and accumulated in the pharynx and intestine owing to the defective grinder. The fluorescence intensity of intact bacteria in phm-2 worms was indistinguishable from that of crushed bacterial debris in N2 worms. Therefore, appearance of fluorescence in the C. elegans intestine should not be directly interpreted as successful bacterial colonization in the intestine.

Cordyceps militaris Protects Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress

Mei Tong He,Chan Hum Park,Hyun Young Kim,Eun Ju Cho 한국식품영양과학회 2018 한국식품영양과학회 학술대회발표집 Vol.2018 No.10

Protective effect of Cordyceps militaris against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in vitro

Mei Tong He,Ah Young Lee,Chan Hum Park,Eun Ju Cho 한국영양학회 2019 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.13 No.4

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl (·OH), nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is reported to induce oxidative stress. ROS generated by oxidative stress can potentially damage glial cells in the nervous system. Cordyceps militaris (CM), a kind of natural herb widely found in East Asia. In this study, we investigated the free radical scavenging activity of the CM extract and its neuroprotective effects in H₂O₂-induced C6 glial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The ethanol extract of CM (100-1,000 μg/mL) was used to measure DPPH, ·OH, and NO radical scavenging activities. In addition, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced C6 glial cells were treated with CM at 0.5-2.5 μg/mL for measurement of cell viability, ROS production, and protein expression resulting from oxidative stress. RESULTS: The CM extract showed high scavenging activities against DPPH, ·OH, and NO radicals at concentration of 1,000 μg/mL. Treatment of CM with H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in C6 glial cells significantly increased cell viability, and decreased ROS production. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression was down-regulated in CM-treated groups. In addition, the protein expression level of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK), phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK) in H₂O₂-induced C6 glial cells was down-regulated upon CM administration. CONCLUSION: CM exhibited radical scavenging activity and protective effect against H₂O₂ as indicated by the increased cell viability, decreased ROS production, down-regulation of inflammation-related proteins as well as p-p38, p-JNK, and p-ERK protein levels. Therefore, we suggest that CM could play the protective role from oxidative stress in glial cells.