Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that results in airway inflammation and narrowing. BS012 is an herbal remedy containing Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum cassia extracts. To elucidate the anti-asthma effect of BS012, this study analyzed the immune response, respiratory protection, and changes in metabolic mechanisms in an ovalbumininduced allergic asthma mouse model. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to ovalbumin to induce allergic asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma were analyzed for interleukin and immunoglobulin E levels. Histological analyses of the lungs were performed to measure morphological changes. Apoptosis-related mediators were assayed by western blotting. Plasma and lung tissue metabolomic analyses were performed to investigate the metabolic changes. A T-helper-2-like differentiated cell model was used to identify the active components of BS012. BS012 treatment improved inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissues. BS012 also significantly downregulated ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E in plasma and T-helper-2-specific cytokines, interleukin-4 and -5, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The lungs of ovalbumin-inhaled mice exhibited nerve growth factor-mediated apoptotic protein expression, which was significantly attenuated by BS012 treatment. Ovalbumin-induced abnormalities in amino acid and lipid metabolism were improved by BS012 in correlation with its anti-inflammatory properties and normalization of energy metabolism. Additionally, the differentiated cell model revealed that N-isobutyl-dodecatetraenamide is an active component that contributes to the anti-allergic properties of BS012. The current findings demonstrate the anti-allergic and respiratory protective functions of BS012 against allergic asthma, which can be considered a therapeutic candidate.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that results in airway inflammation and narrowing. BS012 is an herbal remedy containing Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum cassia extracts. To elucidate the anti-asthma effect of BS012, this study analyzed the immune response, respiratory protection, and changes in metabolic mechanisms in an ovalbumininduced allergic asthma mouse model. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to ovalbumin to induce allergic asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma were analyzed for interleukin and immunoglobulin E levels. Histological analyses of the lungs were performed to measure morphological changes. Apoptosis-related mediators were assayed by western blotting. Plasma and lung tissue metabolomic analyses were performed to investigate the metabolic changes. A T-helper-2-like differentiated cell model was used to identify the active components of BS012. BS012 treatment improved inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissues. BS012 also significantly downregulated ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E in plasma and T-helper-2-specific cytokines, interleukin-4 and -5, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The lungs of ovalbumin-inhaled mice exhibited nerve growth factor-mediated apoptotic protein expression, which was significantly attenuated by BS012 treatment. Ovalbumin-induced abnormalities in amino acid and lipid metabolism were improved by BS012 in correlation with its anti-inflammatory properties and normalization of energy metabolism. Additionally, the differentiated cell model revealed that N-isobutyl-dodecatetraenamide is an active component that contributes to the anti-allergic properties of BS012. The current findings demonstrate the anti-allergic and respiratory protective functions of BS012 against allergic asthma, which can be considered a therapeutic candidate.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that results in airway inflammation and narrowing. BS012 is an herbal remedy containing Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum cassia extracts. To elucidate the anti-asthma effect of BS012, this study analyzed the immune response, respiratory protection, and changes in metabolic mechanisms in an ovalbumininduced allergic asthma mouse model. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to ovalbumin to induce allergic asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma were analyzed for interleukin and immunoglobulin E levels. Histological analyses of the lungs were performed to measure morphological changes. Apoptosis-related mediators were assayed by western blotting. Plasma and lung tissue metabolomic analyses were performed to investigate the metabolic changes. A T-helper-2-like differentiated cell model was used to identify the active components of BS012. BS012 treatment improved inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissues. BS012 also significantly downregulated ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E in plasma and T-helper-2-specific cytokines, interleukin-4 and -5, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The lungs of ovalbumin-inhaled mice exhibited nerve growth factor-mediated apoptotic protein expression, which was significantly attenuated by BS012 treatment. Ovalbumin-induced abnormalities in amino acid and lipid metabolism were improved by BS012 in correlation with its anti-inflammatory properties and normalization of energy metabolism. Additionally, the differentiated cell model revealed that N-isobutyl-dodecatetraenamide is an active component that contributes to the anti-allergic properties of BS012. The current findings demonstrate the anti-allergic and respiratory protective functions of BS012 against allergic asthma, which can be considered a therapeutic candidate.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the preventable death rate (PDR) in Daegu, South Korea, and to assess both its affecting- and preventable-factors to improve the treatment of regional trauma patients. METHODS: All cases of traumatic death that occurred between January 2012 and December 2012 in five hospitals in Daegu were analyzed retrospectively by a panel review. Cases were classified into preventable (P) and non-preventable deaths (NP). We determined the affecting factors of trauma deaths and preventable factors during trauma care. RESULTS: The PDR was 25.2%. Significant differences by mode of arrival, day of injury, cause of death, and time of emergency department (ED) arrival were observed between P and NP groups. According to the logistic regression analysis, preventability was associated with patients transferred from other hospitals, ED arrival at night and dawn, and non-head injuries. A total of 145 preventable factors were discovered in 59 preventable trauma deaths. When we categorized by location, the ED was the most common, with 71 cases, followed by 57 prehospital preventable factors. When we classified the preventable factors by process, 76.8% were process-related and 23.4% were structure-related. CONCLUSION: Our study is valuable to build an adequate trauma system in Daegu as it provides the baseline quality control data. Efforts to mediate the preventable factors were revealed in this study, and continuous reviews to calculate and track the PDR are needed to evaluate the local trauma system and establish a system specific to Daegu.
Cause of Death ; Daegu* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Mortality* ; Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care) ; Quality Control ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although increasing evidence has indicated that radial access is a beneficial technique, few studies have focused on Korean subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate current practice of coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using radial access in South Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 6338 subjects were analyzed from Korean Transradial Intervention prospective registry that was conducted at 20 centers in Korea. After evaluating the initial access, subjects intended for radial access were assessed for their baseline, procedure-related, and complication data. Subjects were categorized into three groups: group of overall subjects (n=5554); group of subjects who underwent PCI (n=1780); and group of subjects who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) (n=167). RESULTS: The rate of radial artery as an initial access and the rate of access site crossover was 87.6% and 4.4%, respectively, in overall subjects. Those rates were 82.4% and 8.1%, respectively, in subjects who underwent PCI, and 60.1% and 4.8%, respectively, in subjects who underwent PPCI. For subjects who underwent CAG, a 6-F introducer sheath and a 5-F angiographic catheter was the most commonly used. During PCI, a 6-F introducer sheath (90.6%) and a 6-F guiding catheter were standardly used. CONCLUSION: The large prospective registry allowed us to present the current practice of CAG and PCI using radial access. These data provides evidence to achieve consensus on radial access in CAG and PCI in the Korean population.
Catheters ; Consensus ; Coronary Angiography* ; Korea ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prospective Studies* ; Radial Artery ; Registries

The aim of our study was to determine the impact of vascular access on in-hospital major bleeding (IHMB) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We analyzed 995 patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina at the Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the ACC/AHA guidelines (CRUSADE) moderate- to very high-bleeding risk scores in trans-radial intervention (TRI) retrospective registry from 16 centers in Korea. A total of 402 patients received TRI and 593 patients did trans-femoral intervention (TFI). The primary end-point was IHMB as defined in the CRUSADE. There were no significant differences in in-hospital and 1-yr mortality rates between two groups. However, TRI had lower incidences of IHMB and blood transfusion than TFI (6.0% vs 9.4%, P = 0.048; 4.5% vs 9.4%, P = 0.003). The patients suffered from IHMB had higher incidences of in-hospital and 1-yr mortality than those free from IHMB (3.1% vs 15.0%, P < 0.001; 7.2% vs 30.0%, P < 0.001). TRI was an independent negative predictor of IHMB (odds ratio, 0.305; 95% confidence interval, 0.109-0.851; P = 0.003). In conclusions, IHMB is still significantly correlated with in-hospital and 1-yr mortality. Our study suggests that compared to TFI, TRI could reduce IHMB in patients with ACS at moderate- to very high-bleeding risk.
Acute Coronary Syndrome/mortality/*pathology ; Aged ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; *Hemorrhage ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Radial Artery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

The most common recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities in T-lymphoblastic leukemia (T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia [T-ALL]) involve T-cell receptor (TCR) loci and a variety of partner genes, including HOX11, HOX11L2, MYC, and TAL1. In this report, we present a rare case involving simultaneous translocation of the TCR alpha/delta loci with different partner loci (Xq22 and 12p13); this resulted in a poor prognosis. Chromosomal analysis showed 46,Y,t(X;14)(q22;q11.2),t(12;14)(p13;q11.2) and FISH analysis by using a T-cell receptor alpha delta DNA probe, Split Signal (DakoCytomation, Denmark), showed translocations at the same TCR alpha/delta locus on both chromosomes. FISH with 2 bacterial artificial chromosome clones showed break apart signal, which suggests involvement of the IRS4 gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T-ALL in which both TCR alpha/delta loci were translocated with different partner loci, and 1 of the partner loci, Xq22, was a rare translocation partner locus that included IRS4 gene.
Adult ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; Genetic Loci ; Humans ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins/genetics ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/*genetics/pathology ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/*genetics ; *Translocation, Genetic

PURPOSE: To minimize an interruption in chest compression, reduce the hands-off time, the American Heart Association has recommended changing the ratio of chest compression to ventilation ratio to 30:2. However, current studies have shown that the hands-off time was >10 seconds with that method. For this reason, we reasoned that a chest compression to ventilation ratio of 15:1 would be a more suitable way to reduce hands-off time because this ratio will not change the total compression and ventilation count. METHODS: The subjects were asked to perform CPR for 5 cycles with a compression to ventilation ratio of 30:2. The subjects rested for 5 minutes, then performed CPR with a compression to ventilation of 15:1. The skill performance was measured and analyzed using a statistical program. RESULTS: In the group which performed CPR with a chest compression to ventilation ratio of 30:2, the average number of compressions per minute was 76+/-9, while at a chest compression to ventilation ratio of 15:1, the average number of compressions per minute was 68+/-9. Between the compression to ventilation ratios of 30:2 and 15:1, the count gap was 8.3+/-3.2. When CPR was performed at a chest compression to ventilation ratio of 30:2, the average hands-off time was 9.3+/-1.9. When CPR was performed at a chest compression to ventilation ratio of 15:1, the average hands-off time was 6.7+/-1.3. Between chest compression to ventilation ratios of 30:2 and 15:1, the time gap of the average hands-off time was 2.7+/-1.2 seconds. CONCLUSION: When the chest compression to ventilation ratio was 15:1, the hands-off time was significantly reduced, but the compressions per minute were also reduced.
American Heart Association ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Manikins ; Thorax ; Ventilation

PURPOSE: We undertook this study to evaluate the effects and the appropriateness of CPR training for elementary school children. METHODS: The Kangwon National University developed a "Human Body Explorer Program", where local fifth and sixth grade students would learn about the human body. The 72 students who participated in this program were used in this study. The subjects were evaluated by comparing CPR data collected from nurses working at Kangwon National University Hospital. The education sessions consisted of a 30 minute video tape and slides; then, under the supervision of their teacher, the subjects were asked to practice what they had seen. Ten criteria were used to evaluate the subject's CPR proficiency. The CPR skill sessions used Laerdal's HeartSim(R) 4000, and the data stored from the HeartSim(R) 4000 were collected for further analysis. A statistical analysis was done using the SPSS statistical software package. A pvalue< 0.05 was considered to statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 72 subjects were evaluated. Their average age was 13.2+/-0.5 years. The subjects had very little experience with CPR education(0.17) prior to this study. The data gathered were compared to the evaluation table and yielded an average score of 20.53. The criteria used in the study had the following results: The assessing responsiveness(2.0/2.0), activating the EMS (calling for help) (1.99/2.0), checking for breathing(3.47/4.0), and compression to ventilation ratio of 15:2(1.6/2.0) showed to be at the 80 percentile. However the follow criteria showed a less than 80 percentile: opening the airway(1.54/2.0), mouth-to-mouth breathing(2.04/4.0), checking the carotid pulse(2.0/4.0), chest compression(1.88/4.0), chest compression velocity(1.02/4.0), and reassessment(1.44/2.0). The data from the manikin was extrapolated, and upon examination, we found the following: Correct ventilation was 25+/-31%, insufficient ventilation was 67+/-38% and excessive ventilation was 3+/-10%. Correct chest compression was 9+/-23% and insufficient compression was 91+/-23%, and excessive compression was absent. We compared these scores to the score from nurses of Kangwon University Hospital and found that elementary school children scored higher in all variables except in rate of chest compression. The scores were statistically significant (p<0.05) in total score, check for breathing, and reassessment. The skills evaluation showed that the adults scored higher than the elementary school children. All variables were significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that elementary school children were superior to adult counterparts in understanding the CPR scheme. An expansion of CPR training to elementary school children is needed.
Adult ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Child* ; Education ; Gangwon-do ; Human Body ; Humans ; Manikins ; Organization and Administration ; Respiration ; Thorax ; Ventilation

PURPOSE: We address investigative or analytical methods to report death in drawing up a death certificate. METHOD: This study was based on the death certificates completed at the emergency department, Kangwon University hospital, from September 2003 to August 2005. The data were collected through notices about drawing up death certificates and included the death certificate and the medical records in the emergency department. RESULTS: The research subjects were 29,059 patients who came to the emergency room during the period of study. Death certificates or medical certificates of death were issued to 793 of these. As to the place of death, 537 (72.5%) deaths occurred at home, 1 (0.1%) in medical institutions, 12 (1.6%) in public institutions, 48 (6.5%) patients was dead on arrival, 2 (0.3%) at industrial factories, 20 (2.7%) on road, 120 (16.2%) at other places and 1 (0.13%) was not defined. As to the types of death, death from disease was the highest (445, 60.1%), and death from external causes was next (168, 22.7%), followed by death from other or unknown causes (128, 17.3%). For death from external causes, traffic accident was 24 (14.1%), poisoning was 13 (7.6%), accidental fall was 18 (10.6%), accidental drowning was 27, 15.9%), suicide was (64, 37.6%), murder was 1 (0.6%), and other was 23 (13.5%). The study on the cause of death, 92 (16.4%) of 562 patients was found to have been helped in diagnosing the cause of death. However, in the case of death from external causes, except for death from disease, 109 patients were surveyed, the study helped to identify the cause of death in only 46 (42.2%). Likewise, in 14 (60.7%) of 23 patients the study helped to identify the cause of death as sudden death. CONCLUSION: Simple X-rays and laboratory examinations were used to determine the cause of death when drawing up a death certificate, and these helped more in identifying the causes of death from external causes than in identifying the causes of death from diseases. Especially, these worked much better for sudden death.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Cause of Death* ; Death Certificates* ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Drowning ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gangwon-do ; Homicide ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Poisoning ; Research Subjects ; Suicide