MEP1A, which encodes the α subunit of meprin metalloproteinases, is a susceptibility gene for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and decreased intestinal meprin-α expression is associated with enhanced IBD in humans. Mice lacking meprin α (α knockout, αKO) have more severe colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) than wild-type (WT) mice, indicating an anti-inflammatory role for meprin A....

Recent work has demonstrated that isoprene-derived epoxide intermediates are responsible for a wide variety of chemical species found in ambient secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Since the second most abundant biogenic hydrocarbon, α-pinene, is also known to form an epoxide intermediate, nuclear magnetic resonance techniques were used to study products, kinetics, and equilibria of the aqueous ph...

α-fe2o3 (hematite) is the most stable iron oxide under ambient conditions. this transition metal oxide has been extensively investigated because it has unique electrical and catalytic properties. in this report, a novel microwave method for preparation of α-fe2o3 nanoparticles has been developed. the process contained two steps: first, precursor were obtained from a mixed solution of 50 ml of 0...

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Although the antioxidative effects of lycopene are generally known, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of lycopene are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to examine the role and mechanism of lycopene as an inhibitor of inflammation. METHODS/MATERIALS Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated SW 480 human colorectal cancer cells were treate...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Neuroinflammation mediated by activated microglia may play a pivotal role in a variety of central nervous system (CNS) pathologic conditions, including ethanol-induced neurotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the function of Tβ4 in ethanol-induced microglia activation. METHODS Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to assess the expression of Tβ4 and miR-3...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The edible blue pigments produced by gardenia fruits have been used as value-added colorants for foods in East Asia for 20 years. However, the biological activity of the blue pigments derived from genipin has not been reported. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The anti-inflammatory effect of blue pigments was studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrop...