The three flavone glycosides, 4′-O-methylisoscutellarein 7-O-(6‴-O-acetyl)-β-D-allopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), isoscutellarein 7-O-(6‴-O-acetyl)-β-D-allopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), and isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-allopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) in addition to a flavonol glycoside, kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (astragalin, 2), were isolated from Stachys japonica (Lamiaceae). In cholinesterase inhibition assay, compound 1 significantly inhibited aceylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities (IC₅₀s, 39.94 µg/ml for AChE and 86.98 µg/ml for BChE). The content of isolated compounds were evaluated in this plant extract by HPLC analysis. Our experimental results suggest that the flavonoid glycosides of S. japonica could prevent the memory impairment of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer Disease ; Butyrylcholinesterase ; Cholinesterases ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Glycosides ; Lamiaceae ; Memory ; Plants ; Stachys

Two young dogs were referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University, one for examination of vaginal discharge and the other after being hit by a car. Dog 1 exhibited a high neutrophil count on Gram-stained vaginal smears, marked leukocytosis on a complete blood count, and uterine enlargement on ultrasonography. In dog 2, a markedly enlarged right uterine horn containing echogenic debris was found incidentally on ultrasonography. A tentative diagnosis of pyometra was made in both cases and ovariohysterectomy was performed. Purulent material was collected from each uterine horn and submitted separately for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture; all culture results were negative. The white blood cell count revealed normal limits 2 days post operation in dog 1 and 4 days post operation in dog 2. Positive bacterial cultures are usually obtained from dogs with pyometra, and antibiotic selection is based on the results of culture and sensitivity testing in the event of failure of empiric antibiotic therapy. However, in the cases reported here, no bacterial growth was identified from the uterine samples despite the presence of purulent material. A short course of empiric antibiotic therapy was administered. This is the first known report describing sterile pyometra in dogs.
Animals ; Blood Cell Count ; Diagnosis ; Dogs* ; Horns ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytosis ; Neutrophils ; Pyometra* ; Ultrasonography ; Vaginal Discharge ; Vaginal Smears

Behcet disease is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease involving mucous membranes, skin, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, joints, vessels, and neurologic systems. The disease usually manifests in early adulthood. Childhood onset is rare. We experienced a case of Behcet disease in a 11-year-old boy. He suffered from recurrent arthritis of the left knee joint which was managed under the impression of septic arthritis since he was seven years old. Behcet disease should be considered in case of recurrent arthritis mimicing septic arthritis in children.
Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Infectious ; Behcet Syndrome* ; Child ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Skin

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of Camellia sinensis var. assamica (CSVA) on diabetic nephropathy in in vitro and in vivo models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDCK cells were incubated with 1 mM of oxalate with or without different concentrations of CSVA, then MTT and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays were performed to investigate the preventive effects of CSVA on oxalate-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Thirty male db/db mice were divided into three groups. Group 1 were fed AIN-93G ad libitum; group 2 were fed AIN-93G mixed with 10% fermented CSVA ad libitum; group 3 were fed AIN-93G mixed with 10% non-fermented CSVA ad libitum. The mice were sacrificed 14 weeks later, and the serum glucose level, 24-hour urine chemistry, and morphological changes in the kidneys were examined. RESULTS: As CSVA concentrations increased, viable MDCK cells increased in concentration. MDA production decreased over time in the CSVA treated group. The creatinine clearance of group 3 was lower than those of groups 1 and 2. The amount of urine microalbumin and protein in group 1 were higher than those in groups 2 and 3. Also, more glomerulus basement membrane foot processes were preserved in groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, CSVA has beneficial preventive tendencies towards diabetic nephropathy in both in vitro and in vivo models.
Animals ; *Camellia sinensis/chemistry ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications ; Diabetic Nephropathies/*drug therapy/*prevention & control ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Kidney/cytology/*drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Mutant Strains ; Plant Extracts/*pharmacology ; *Tea/chemistry

A case of Mycobacterium avium arthritis in a 39-year-old female patient with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) was reported. An extra-articular abscess had formed outside the knee joint and extended down the calf. A culture was taken of the abscess and synovial fluid disclosed Mycobacteriun avium. This was resistant to most anti-tuberculosis agents. A combination of anti-tuberculosis drugs followed a total resection of the abscess. We concluded that M avium septic arthritis could insidiously develop into an extra-articular abscess. A combination of anti-tuberculosis drugs with a total resection of the abscess was an effective treatment.
Adult ; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Infectious/*microbiology/therapy ; Female ; Human ; Knee Joint/*microbiology/surgery ; Mixed Connective Tissue Disease/*complications ; Mycobacterium avium/drug effects/*isolation & purification ; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection/*complications/therapy

Klinefelter's syndrome (KFS) is a gonosomal aberration disease that occurs in males, and is characterized by 47, XXY karyotype, hypogonadism and a lack of secondary sexual characteristics. A potential link between this hormonally deficient syndrome and autoimmune disease, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), has been reported. On the other hand, KFS is rarely reported to be accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and there are no Korean cases reported. We report the first Korean case of a KFS patient with sero-positive RA and discuss the role of the pathogenesis of RA with KFS.
Aluminum Hydroxide ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Carbonates ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Karyotype ; Klinefelter Syndrome ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Male ; X Chromosome

This study aimed to establish the quantitative method to analyze the content of peroxynitrite-scavengers belonging to polyphenols in six Korean Quercus species (Quercus mongolica, Q. dentata, Q. acutissima, Q. alienta, Q. serrata, and Q. variabilis) by HPLC. The twelve peroxynitrite-scavengers, flavanols (catechins: (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and (−)-epigallocatechin), flavonols (kaempferol and quercetin), flavonol glycosides (astragalin, quercitrin, and isoquercitrin), flavonol acylated glycosides (astragalin 6″-gallate and isoquercitrin 6″-gallate), gallic acid and its dimer (ellagic acid) were analyzed by HPLC. Further, anti-Alzheimer's activity was assayed in a passive avoidance testusing mice by measuring the retention latency (sec), the concentration of acetylcholine (ACh), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Simultaneous analysis of the extracts of the six Quercus leaves was achieved on a Capcell C18 column (5 µm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.) with a gradient elution of 0.05% HAc and 0.05% HAc in CH₃CN. In the extract of Q. mongolica leaves, the content of gallic acid (32.53 mg/g), (+)-catechin (28.78 mg/g), (−)-epicatehin (22.03 mg/g), astragalin 6″-gallate (20.94 mg/g), and isoquercitrin 6″-gallate (44.11 mg/g) and peroxynitrite-scavenging activity (IC₅₀, 0.831 µg/ml) were high. This extract delayed the retention latency and inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in scopolamine-induced memory impairment of mice, suggesting that it has anti-Alzheimer's activity.
Acetylcholine ; Acetylcholinesterase ; Animals ; Catechin ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid* ; Fagaceae ; Flavonols ; Gallic Acid ; Glycosides ; Memory ; Methods ; Mice ; Phenol* ; Polyphenols ; Quercus*

Bone Marrow Cells ; Dexamethasone ; Mandible ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Rabbits ; Silver Nitrate

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using a stereotactic body frame for primary or metastatic thoracic tumors. Methods and Materials: Between January 1998 and December 2003, 101 lesions from 91 patients with primary or metastatic thoracic tumors were treated. The eligible patients included 38 with primary lung cancers and 53 with metastatic tumors from the lung, liver, gastrointestinal and other organs. All patients were immobilized using a stereotactic body frame and permitted to breathe shallowly. The respiratory movement was restricted by a diaphragm controller when the tumor movement was greater than 5 mm. Recently, for further restriction of tumor movement, an active breathing control (ABC) apparatus was used in some trained patients whose tumors located in lower lobe. Three to eight coplanar or non-coplanar photon beams were used to adequately cover the planning target volume. A dose of 10~12 Gy per fraction was given three to four times over consecutive days, to a total dose of 30~48 Gy (median 40 Gy). Local control was assessed as complete or partial responses and by a stable disease, as measured by serial chest CT scans at 1 month, and then every 3-months, and/or 18FDG-PET scans 1 month after treatment. The median follow-up period was 14 months, ranging from 4 to 56 months. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 82%, with twenty (22%) complete and 55 (60%) partial responses. The rate of crude local control in all patients was 86% and the one- and two-year local progression free survival rates were 90 and 81%, respectively. The patients who received 48 Gy showed better local progression free survival than those that received 40 Gy or less (one-year; 100% vs. 86.7%), but this was not statistically significant. Of the 21 patients with primary lung cancer, local progression was observed in 3, at 12, 21 and 26 months after treatment, and the one- and two- year local progression free survival rates were 93 and 81%, respectively. The set-up error, as checked by CT-simulation and portal films, for every treatment was within 5 mm in all directions (X, Y and Z axis). No pulmonary complications greater than RTOG toxicity criteria grade 2 were observed. CONCLUSION: From our experience of the stereotactic body frame based radiosurgery it appears a safe and promising treatment modality for the local management of primary or metastatic lung tumors. The optimal total dose, fractionation schedule and treatment volume should be modified after a longer follow-up of these results. Further study related to the optimal evaluation tools is also necessary to differentiate local tumor progression from radiation-induced pulmonary injury
Appointments and Schedules ; Diaphragm ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Lung Injury ; Lung Neoplasms ; Radiosurgery* ; Respiration ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Blood Platelets ; Centrifugation ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mandible ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Platelet Count ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Transplants