The Hawking–Page (HP) phase transitions of the anti-de Sitter black holes in extended space are studied a novel four-dimensional Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet (4EGB) gravity, which is proposed by rescaling Gauss–Bonnet (GB) coupling constant α→α∕(d−4) d dimensions and redefining gravity limit d→4. GB term shows nontrivial contributions to both hole mass entropy simultaneously, decreases HP transition t...

Sex hormones seem to modulate the immune/inflammatory responses by different mechanisms in female and male rheumatoid arthritis patients. The effects of 17beta-oestradiol and of testosterone were tested on the cultured human monocytic/macrophage cell line (THP-1) activated with IFN-gamma in order to investigate their role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Activated human THP-1 cells were cul...

14-3-3σ overexpression results in enhanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell migration and HCC tumor vascular-invasion is significantly associated with 14-3-3σ expression. However, increased expression of 14-3-3σ paradoxically suppresses in vitro cell invasion of HCC. We hypothesize that surrounding tumor-associated stromal cells play a crucial role in 14-3-3σ-regulated HCC cell invasion. In ...

BACKGROUND Depression and anxiety are prevalent among women in low- and lower-middle income countries who are pregnant or have recently given birth. There is promising evidence that culturally-adapted, evidence-informed, perinatal psycho-educational programs implemented in local communities are effective in reducing mental health problems. The Thinking Healthy Program (THP) has proved effective...

INTRODUCTION Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) is a dietary supplement valued for its immune-enhancing properties. We previously reported that the immunostimulatory effect of spirulina can be traced to a high-molecular- weight polysaccharide fraction. This fraction, labeled Immolina, activates nuclear factor kappa-B in human monocytic THP-1 cells and increases expression of proinflammatory cytoki...

Platelet activation and aggregation by fibrillar collagens are based on substrate primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure. Although several peptides incorporating sequences from the triple-helical domains of types I and III collagen inhibit collagen-mediated platelet aggregation, none independently promote platelet activation and aggregation. It is believed that the absence of th...

This study was initiated to investigate the effects of health counseling under Total Health Promotion Plan (THP). The study populations consisted of 1,655 working men who had an initial THP-based counseling and a follow-up 3 yr later (the THP group; the counseling was given on a once-three year basis), and 1,655 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls (working men who had no health coun...

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and relaxin (RLX) are reported to play an important role in tissue remodeling and wound repair. When macrophages populate wound sites, they secrete biologically active substances, including MMPs. The transcription factor NF-kappaB is important in MMP gene regulation in macrophage cells. Thus, a monocyte/macrophage cell line, THP-1, was used to study the molecula...

Ozone (O(3)), a major component of air pollution and a strong oxidizing agent, can lead to lung injury associated with edema, inflammation, and epithelial cell damage. The effects of O(3) on pulmonary immune cells have been studied in various in vivo and in vitro systems. We have shown previously that O(3) exposure of surfactant protein (SP)-A decreases its ability to modulate proinflammatory c...

We demonstrated endothelial production of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), the third member of the natriuretic peptide family, and its regulation by cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha). We thus proposed that CNP can control vascular tone and growth as an endothelium-derived relaxing peptide. We also revealed the marked elevation of plasma CNP concentration in patients ...