Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound that is widely used in dentistry as a component of zinc oxide eugenol cement that is commonly applied to the mouth environment. Cisplatin is one of the most potent known anticancer agents and shows significant clinical activity against a variety of solid tumors. This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatments with eugenol and cisplatin on human melanoma (G361) cells. To investigate whether this co-treatment efficiently reduces the viability of G361 cells compared with each single treatment, an MTT assay was conducted. The induction and augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining and an analysis of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining were also performed to evaluate the expression levels and the translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following this co-treatment. Furthermore, proteasome activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were also assayed. The results indicated that a co-treatment with eugenol and cisplatin induced multiple pathways and processes associated with an apoptotic response in G361 cells including nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, a reduction in MMP and proteasome activity, the increase and decrease of Bax and Bcl-2, a decreased DNA content, the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) into the nucleus, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of 300 microM eugenol or 3 microM cisplatin for 24 h did not induce apoptosis. Our present data thus suggest that a combination therapy of eugenol and cisplatin is a potential treatment strategy for human melanoma.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 7 ; Caspase 9 ; Cisplatin ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; Dentistry ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Eugenol ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mouth ; Phenol ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; Proteins ; Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement

Proper seat belt use saves lives; however, the use rate decreased in Korea. This study aimed to measure the magnitude of the preventive effect of seat belt on case-fatality across drivers and passengers. We used the Emergency Department based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) database from 17 EDs between 2011 and 2012. All of adult injured patients from road traffic injuries (RTI) in-vehicle of less than 10-seat van were eligible, excluding cases with unknown seat belt use and outcomes. Primary and secondary endpoints were in-hospital mortality and intracranial injury. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of seat belt use and driving status for study outcomes adjusting for potential confounders. Among 23,698 eligible patients, 15,304 (64.6%) wore seat belts. Driver, middle aged (30-44 yr), male, daytime injured patients were more likely to use seat belts (all P < 0.001). In terms of clinical outcome, no seat belt group had higher proportions of case-fatality and intracranial injury compared to seat belt group (both P < 0.001). Compared to seat belt group, AORs (95% CIs) of no seat belt group were 10.43 (7.75-14.04) for case-fatality and 2.68 (2.25-3.19) for intracranial injury respectively. In the interaction model, AORs (95% CIs) of no seat belt use for case-fatality were 11.71 (8.45-16.22) in drivers and 5.52 (2.83-14.76) in non-driving passengers, respectively. Wearing seat belt has significantly preventive effects on case-fatality and intracranial injury. Public health efforts to increase seat belt use are needed to reduce health burden from RTIs.
Accidents, Traffic/mortality/*prevention & control ; Adult ; Aged ; Craniocerebral Trauma/prevention & control ; Databases, Factual ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Vehicles ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Seat Belts/*utilization ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Stigma may affect the interpersonal relationship and coping ability of epilepsy patients. This study was aimed to evaluate the degree of stigma and the relationship between the clinical factors, quality of life (QOL) and the stigma in epilepsy patients. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-three patients with epilepsy were included. The research instruments were questionnaires for collecting demographic and disease-specific data, the stigma and quality of life. The modified Kim Eun Ja's stigma scale (1997) was used. It consists of two domains (enacted stigma, felt stigma) and has 10 items. The quality of life was evaluated by QOLIE-31. To test the correlation between the clinical factors, QOL and the stigma, Pearson correlation coefficient and ANCOVA were used. RESULTS: 51.5% of all patients had stigma. There was a significant negative correlation (r=-0.585, p<0.01) between the total score of stigma and the QOL. Two domains of stigma were also negatively correlated with QOL as follows : felt stigma vs. QOL (r=-0.429, p<0.01) and enacted stigma vs. QOL (r=-0.542, p<0.01). The patients with higher seizure frequency had lower QOL (F=4.834, p=0.03). The clinical factors that could predict the degree of stigma were the seizure frequency (F=7.86, p=0.006), duration of seizure disorder (F=7.34, p=0.008), seizure pattern (F=4.48, p=0.036) and the number of AED (F=2.51, p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: The felt stigma and the enacted stigma affected the QOL of epilepsy patients. These results suggest that psychosocial interventions are necessary to treat the negative reaction and depressed self-esteems of epilepsy patients in order to improve their QOL.
Epilepsy* ; Humans ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seizures

PURPOSE: To review and determine the complications in 76 child abuse cases recorded by a multidisciplinary hospital-based child protection team between 1987 and 2007. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the reports and medical records of child abuse cases maintained by a university hospital-based child protection team. We devised a questionnaire for standardized interviews with the victims' guardians to determine the current physical and mental status of the children; questionnaires were answered by social workers of the child protection team who interviewed the present fosterers of 24 (35.8%) children. RESULTS: Of the 76 children, 6 were infants, 10 were 1-3 years old, were 3-10 years old, and 19 were over 10 years old. Seven children (9.2%) were neglected and 27 (35.5%) and 44 (57.9%) were sexually and physically abused, respectively. In more than half of the cases, the perpetrators were the father or mother of the children. Most children (41 cases, 53.9%) were abused at their homes. The mean follow-up duration from the time of abuse infliction was 54.3+/-49.2 months, and the current mean age of the children was 8.3+/-6.4 years. Moderate and severe developmental delay and physical disability were observed in 6 (25.0%) and 3 (12.5%) cases, respectively. In 13 children (54.2%), the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) score was less than 60, which indicates mild mental disability. CONCLUSION: A hospital-based child protection team may witness the different proportion of abuse types and patterns by conducting a nation-wide survey of child abuse cases.
Child ; Child Abuse ; Child Advocacy ; Fathers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Mothers ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Social Workers ; Wit and Humor as Topic

PURPOSE: To review and determine the complications in 76 child abuse cases recorded by a multidisciplinary hospital-based child protection team between 1987 and 2007. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the reports and medical records of child abuse cases maintained by a university hospital-based child protection team. We devised a questionnaire for standardized interviews with the victims' guardians to determine the current physical and mental status of the children; questionnaires were answered by social workers of the child protection team who interviewed the present fosterers of 24 (35.8%) children. RESULTS: Of the 76 children, 6 were infants, 10 were 1-3 years old, were 3-10 years old, and 19 were over 10 years old. Seven children (9.2%) were neglected and 27 (35.5%) and 44 (57.9%) were sexually and physically abused, respectively. In more than half of the cases, the perpetrators were the father or mother of the children. Most children (41 cases, 53.9%) were abused at their homes. The mean follow-up duration from the time of abuse infliction was 54.3+/-49.2 months, and the current mean age of the children was 8.3+/-6.4 years. Moderate and severe developmental delay and physical disability were observed in 6 (25.0%) and 3 (12.5%) cases, respectively. In 13 children (54.2%), the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) score was less than 60, which indicates mild mental disability. CONCLUSION: A hospital-based child protection team may witness the different proportion of abuse types and patterns by conducting a nation-wide survey of child abuse cases.
Child ; Child Abuse ; Child Advocacy ; Fathers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Mothers ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Social Workers ; Wit and Humor as Topic

Background: Bacterial skin infections are commonly observed in dermatological practice. After the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, individuals have become concerned about personal hygiene. It is expected that infectious diseases will decrease, and there will be differences in the characteristics of isolated microorganisms, including antibiotic susceptibility. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the differences in the characteristics of bacterial skin infections before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent bacterial culture and susceptibility tests at Chosun University Hospital for the treatment of bacterial skin infections. The period before the COVID-19 pandemic is from January 2018 to December 2019, and the period after the COVID-19 pandemic is from January 2020 to December 2021. We analyzed the antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus in the patients. Results: Overall, 578 patients were included in this study. The age of the patients increased from 39.9 years before the COVID-19 pandemic to 44.2 years (p=0.03). The number of hospitalized patients decreased from 0.2% before the pandemic to 0.1% after the pandemic (p＜0.001). The most commonly isolated microorganism in both groups was S. aureus, followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci. The methicillin resistance rate of S. aureus increased from 34.8% to 36.4% between 2018 and 2021, although no significant association was found between the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion This study showed that although there was no significant difference in the types of bacteria and antibiotic resistance, the age of the patients increased, and the rate of admission decreased.

OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the effects of job stress, including organisational system to self-rated depression through a panel study of male municipal firefighters in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: A panel of 186 municipal firefighters reported self-rated depressive symptoms according to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The effects of job stress were evaluated using the Korea Occupational Stress Scale, taken one year earlier and classified by the median value. Panel members were classified into Depression or Control groups according to BDI scores, with a cut-off level of \'over mild depression' in a follow-up survey. RESULTS: The Depression group included 17 (9.1%) workers. Firefighters who scored high on occupational system had an 8.3 times greater risk of being assigned to the Depression group than those who had not (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.73-37.22]). In contrast, job stress from a \'difficult physical environment' revealed negative risks related to being classified in the Depression group (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI = [0.04-0.92]). CONCLUSIONS: Although the healthy worker effect may be involved, job stress based on perceptions of organisational system was a strong risk factor for depression. A comprehensive approach should be considered that encompasses social issues when assessing or mental health in high-risk groups, as well as the practical issue of physiochemical hazards.
Depression* ; Firefighters* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Healthy Worker Effect ; Humans ; Korea ; Male* ; Mental Health ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Accumulating data suggest that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, comprehensive data are lacking for Koreans. The aim of this study was to survey vitamin D deficiency among patients with CKD in Korea and to identify the relationships among various factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 444 patients who were divided into four subgroups by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for comparisons of mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and other parameters. In addition, non-dialyzed patients were categorized into four groups based on 25(OH)D levels (<10, 10-19, 20-29, and > or =30 ng/mL), and risk factors for severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) were investigated. RESULTS: Of patients with an eGFR > or = 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, 43% (34/79) showed severe 25(OH)D deficiency, and the mean 25(OH)D level was 11.7 +/- 5.3 ng/mL. In CKD3 group, 53.2% (41/77) showed severe 25(OH)D deficiency, with a mean level of 11.3 +/- 7.2 ng/mL. In CKD4 group, 53.3% (49/92) had severe 25(OH)D deficiency, with a mean level of 11.0 +/- 6.2 ng/mL. Approximately 71% (139/196) of patients in CKD5 group showed severe deficiency, and the mean level was 9.2 +/- 5.9 ng/mL. Severe 25(OH)D deficiency was affected by winter season, renal function, diabetes, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The serum parathyroid hormone level was inversely correlated with the 25(OH)D level, such that 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL were associated with a steep increase in parathyroid hormone. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in the Korean population. Few patients met a sufficient 25(OH)D concentration, even in the early stages of CKD. Our data suggest that 25(OH)D level of 20 ng/mL is a threshold for a rapid increase in parathyroid hormone levels.
Cholesterol ; Cohort Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency

The authors report the case of a 25 year old woman with a chronic corticosteroid-refractory nephrotic syndrome complicated by myocardial infarction. The thromboembolism, especially acute myocardial infarction, is the most serious complication of nephrotic syndrome. Until now many mechanisms have been studied about thromboem bolism including coronary artery disease in nephrotic syndrome, but not clear. Hypercoagulability and prolonged hyperlipidemia are known as the principal contributing factors in this complication. In addition, use of steroid as therapeutic trial and hypovolemic state induced by vigorous diuretics will affect the thromboembolism, too. In this case, several coagulation abnormality and prolonged hyperlipidemia are observed. On admission day, this patient had deep vein thrombosis and then was complicated by pulmonary thromboembolism. Despite of anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy, she experienced acute myocardial infarction on fourth day after admission. After onset of myocardial infarction, by thrombolytics and prolonged anticoagulant therapy, this nephrotic patient was relieved and discharged without other serious complication. We recommend anticoagulant and antiplatelet agent therpy in risky patient of nephrotic syndrome. We present this case with review of literature.
Adult ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Diuretics ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypovolemia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Thrombophilia ; Venous Thrombosis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to near-drowning is rarely described and poorly understood. Only few cases of severe isolated AKI resulting from near-drowning exist in the literature. We report a case of near-drowning who developed to isolated AKI due to acute tubular necrosis (ATN) requiring dialysis. A 21-yr-old man who recovered from near-drowning in freshwater 3 days earlier was admitted to our hospital with anuria and elevated level of serum creatinine. He needed five sessions of hemodialysis and then renal function recovered spontaneously. Renal biopsy confirmed ATN. We review the existing literature on near-drowning-induced AKI and discuss the possible pathogenesis.
Acute Kidney Injury/*diagnosis/*etiology ; Anuria/etiology ; Creatinine/blood ; Humans ; Kidney Tubular Necrosis, Acute/etiology/pathology ; Male ; Near Drowning/*complications ; Renal Dialysis ; Young Adult