Eupafolin, a constituent of the aerial parts of Phyla nodiflora, has neuroprotective property. Because reducing the synaptic release of glutamate is crucial to achieving pharmacotherapeutic effects of neuroprotectants, we investigated the effect of eupafolin on glutamate release in rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes and explored the possible mechanism. We discovered that eupafolin depressed 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-induced glutamate release, and this phenomenon was prevented in the absence of extracellular calcium. Eupafolin inhibition of glutamate release from synaptic vesicles was confirmed through measurement of the release of the fluorescent dye FM 1-43. Eupafolin decreased 4-AP-induced [Ca2+ ] i elevation and had no effect on synaptosomal membrane potential. The inhibition of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels reduced the decrease in glutamate release that was caused by eupafolin, and docking data revealed that eupafolin interacted with P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. Additionally, the inhibition of calcium/calmodulindependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) prevented the effect of eupafolin on evoked glutamate release. Eupafolin also reduced the 4-AP-induced activation of CaMK II and the subsequent phosphorylation of synapsin I, which is the main presynaptic target of CaMKII. Therefore, eupafolin suppresses P/Q-type Ca2+ channels and thereby inhibits CaMKII/synapsin I pathways and the release of glutamate from rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes.

Limy bile is characterized by excessive precipitation of calcium carbonate, and generally preceded by gallbladder obstruction. Three case reports have been found in the domestic literatures. It is rare that limy bile syndrome associates cholangitis or calcified gallbladder. We report the case of a patient with limy bile, located in the gallbladder, common bile duct, and intrahepatic duct, with association of calcified gallbladder. This case showed characteristic radiologic and endoscopic findings. The patient was treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Bile* ; Calcium Carbonate ; Cholangitis* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Common Bile Duct ; Gallbladder* ; Humans ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic

Myocarditis often occurs due to viral infections and postviral immune-mediated responses. Hypersensitivity myocarditis is a rare form of myocarditis. Numerous drugs can induce myocarditis, which is typically reversible after withdrawal of the causative agent. Here, we report a case of hypersensitivity myocarditis that was probably triggered by amoxicillin and that resolved completely with heart failure management as well as discontinuation of the drug. A 68-year-old woman presented with acute chest pain mimicking acute coronary syndromes, but the coronary angiography was normal. A recent history of taking medications, skin rash, and peripheral eosinophilia suggested a diagnosis of hypersensitivity myocarditis, which was confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and endomyocardial biopsy.
Aged ; Amoxicillin/*adverse effects ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*adverse effects ; *Biopsy ; Drug Hypersensitivity/*diagnosis/drug therapy/etiology/pathology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use ; Humans ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myocarditis/chemically induced/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Myocardium/*pathology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

This study examined the relationships among personality traits, coping efficacy, and academic stress in medical and non-medical students in South Korea, and investigated the mediating effect of coping efficacy in the relationship between personality traits and academic stress. The study group comprised 210 medical students and 175 non-medical students. They were asked to rate their personality traits, coping efficacy, and academic stress. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS ver. 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and AMOS ver. 26.0 (IBM Corp.). Medical students scored higher for examination stress and lower for extroversion than non-medical students. In both groups, extroversion and conscientiousness positively affected coping efficacy, while neuroticism influenced it negatively. Neuroticism directly influenced all types of academic stress in both groups, while extroversion and conscientiousness only had direct effects on examination stress among medical students. Coping efficacy mediated the associations between personality traits and academic stress, except for the relationship between neuroticism and grade stress among medical students. The study indicates that coping efficacy had a significant effect on relieving academic stress among students with higher scores for extroversion and conscientiousness. Efforts should be made to decrease neuroticism to lower academic stress, as the relationship between neuroticism and academic stress is not directly influenced by coping efficacy. The implications of these results are discussed regarding a consultation system for students, especially those in medical school.

This study examined the relationships among personality traits, coping efficacy, and academic stress in medical and non-medical students in South Korea, and investigated the mediating effect of coping efficacy in the relationship between personality traits and academic stress. The study group comprised 210 medical students and 175 non-medical students. They were asked to rate their personality traits, coping efficacy, and academic stress. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS ver. 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and AMOS ver. 26.0 (IBM Corp.). Medical students scored higher for examination stress and lower for extroversion than non-medical students. In both groups, extroversion and conscientiousness positively affected coping efficacy, while neuroticism influenced it negatively. Neuroticism directly influenced all types of academic stress in both groups, while extroversion and conscientiousness only had direct effects on examination stress among medical students. Coping efficacy mediated the associations between personality traits and academic stress, except for the relationship between neuroticism and grade stress among medical students. The study indicates that coping efficacy had a significant effect on relieving academic stress among students with higher scores for extroversion and conscientiousness. Efforts should be made to decrease neuroticism to lower academic stress, as the relationship between neuroticism and academic stress is not directly influenced by coping efficacy. The implications of these results are discussed regarding a consultation system for students, especially those in medical school.

Bladder cancer(BC)is one of the most frequently diagnosed types of urinary cancer.Despite advances in treatment methods,no specific biomarkers are currently in use.Targeted and untargeted profiling of metabolites and elements of human blood serum from 100 BC patients and the same number of normal controls(NCs),with external validation,was attempted using three analytical methods,i.e.,nuclear magnetic resonance,gold and silver-109 nanoparticle-based laser desorption/ionization mass spec-trometry(LDI-MS),and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES).All results were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis.Four potential serum biomarkers of BC,namely,iso-butyrate,pyroglutamate,choline,and acetate,were quantified with proton nuclear magnetic resonance,which had excellent predictive ability as judged by the area under the curve(AUC)value of 0.999.Two elements,Li and Fe,were also found to distinguish between cancer and control samples,as judged from ICP-OES data and AUC of 0.807(in validation set).Twenty-five putatively identified compounds,mostly related to glycans and lipids,differentiated BC from NCs,as detected using LDI-MS.Five serum metab-olites were found to discriminate between tumor grades and nine metabolites between tumor stages.The results from three different analytical platforms demonstrate that the identified distinct serum metabolites and metal elements have potential to be used for noninvasive detection,staging,and grading of BC.

Gemella morbillorum, an anaerobic-to-aerotolerant Gram-positive coccus, is a normal flora of the oral cavity, respiratory tract, urogenital organ and gastrointestinal tract, and infections caused by this organism are unusual. It has been associated mainly with endocarditis and bacteremia, and rarely with arthritis, spondylodiscitis, meningitis, brain abscess and septic shock. Liver abscess caused by G. morbillorum is very rare, and only a few cases were reported. We experienced a case of liver abscess by G. morbillorum in a 56-year-old woman presented with fever. We report this case with a review of literatures.
Female ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Abscess/diagnosis/*microbiology ; Middle Aged ; *Staphylococcaceae ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Choledocho-duodenal fistula is a rare condition. It is usually developed as a complication of the gallstone disease, and rarely developed by penetrating peptic ulcer, trauma and neoplasm. Tuberculosis as a etiology of choledocho-duodenal fistula is very rare, and only a few cases were reported. We experienced a case of choledocho-duodenal fistula due to tuberculous lymphadenitis in a 26 year-old man presented with epigastric pain. After 6 months of anti-tuberculous medication, He was free of symptom and the fistula was closed spontaneously. We report the case with a review of literatures.
Adult ; Fistula* ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Peptic Ulcer ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to compare the values of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measured with two different non-invasive methods as predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients who had undergone coronary angiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From 6373 patients who visited our laboratory for non-invasive procedures, we enrolled 965 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography. Data for baPWV and peripheral augmentation index (pAI) were recorded. CAD was defined as greater than 50% stenosis of a major epicardial artery in a coronary angiogram. In addition, the severity of CAD was classified as: none/minimal or 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel disease, based on previous or current angiographic findings. RESULTS: Among 965 subjects, the mean age was 63.7+/-11.6 years, and 58.2% were male. Compared with subjects without CAD disease, those with CAD showed higher values of baPWV (16.6+/-3.5 m/sec vs. 15.9+/-3.4 m/sec, p<0.001), and lower values of pAI (73.5+/-15.9% vs. 76.0+/-15.7%, p=0.01). When the severity of CAD was expressed as none/minimal or 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel disease, there was a significant association between the extent of CAD and baPWV (p<0.001). In univariate analysis, high PWV and low pAI were associated with an increased prevalence of CAD (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased baPWV and decreased pAI were associated with the presence of CAD in the elderly.
Aged ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Vascular Stiffness*