Postictal sequential serum prolactin concentrations were observed in 28 patients with various type of seizures who were hospitalized at Keimyung University Hospital. Of 28 epileptic patients, 18 male and 10 female, age ranged from 18 years to 79 years (mean 42 years), 15 with generalized seizures, 13 with focal seizures (5 with simple partial seizures and 8 with partial seizures with generalization). Symptomatic epilepsy and epileptic patients with factors which may affect serum prolactin concentrations were excluded in this study. Serum prolactin concentrations were measure at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after convulsion and 24 hours after convulsion for the base line serum prolactin level. Patients with generalized seizsures and significant elevation of serum prolactin concentrations at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after ictus (Table 1). Same results were obtained in patients with simple partial seizures at 30 minutes and 60 minutes after ictus, and 15 minutes and 30 minutes after ictus in patients with partial seizures with secondary generalization (Table 2 and 3). Level of serum prolactin concentrations were higher in patients with generalized seizure than the other type of seizures. Therefore, measuring serum prolactin level could help differentiate postictal state and other causes of mental change, and also differentiative various type of seizures.
Epilepsies, Partial ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Humans ; Male ; Prolactin* ; Seizures*

OBJECTIVES: The main objectives of this study were to verify the antibacterial activity of two essential oils, lavender and peppermint, against dental caries and to review their synergistic effect when used in combination. Our results provide basic data for the evaluation of the use of these two substances towards the prevention and cure of dental caries. METHODS: The sample solutions of lavender and peppermint oils were prepared in three different concentrations (30%, 50%, and 70% (v/v)) by diluting them with third-distilled water and Tween 20. Streptococcus mutans was selected as the bacterial species for testing. The disk diffusion method was used to measure the antibacterial activity of the sample solutions. For generating growth curves and measuring the number of clusters of the bacterial, the liquid medium-dilution method was used; the absorbance of the medium was measured at 600 nm after 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. RESULTS: When the antibacterial activity of the oils was tested via the disk diffusion method, the activity improved with increasing concentrations of all the sample solutions of peppermint, lavender, and the blend, but there was no significant difference between them with respect to the type of oil. In the growth curves of S. mutans, growth inhibition was observed after 12 hours. The inhibitory effect of 30% lavender oil on growth was 64.9% and 80.1% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively whereas that of peppermint oil was 71.3% and 80.1% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively. The inhibitory effect of the blended oil was 71.9% and 81.0% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is still required in order to determine the efficacy of lavender and peppermint oils, as well as other essential oils, for wider use in preventing dental caries.
Dental Caries ; Diffusion ; Lavandula ; Mentha piperita ; Methods ; Oils ; Oils, Volatile ; Polysorbates ; Streptococcus mutans ; Streptococcus ; Water

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were compared in galactosamine (GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatitic ICR mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male ICR mice (6 weeks old) were divided into 4 groups: normal control, GalN/LPS, luteolin, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside groups. The latter two groups were administered luteolin or luteolin-7-O-glucoside (50 mg/kg BW) daily by gavage for 3 weeks after which hepatitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of GalN and LPS (1 g/kg BW and 10 µg/kg BW, respectively). RESULTS: GalN/LPS produced acute hepatic injury by a sharp increase in serum AST, ALT, and TNF-α levels, increases that were ameliorated in the experimental groups. In addition, markedly increased expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and its transcription factors, nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1, were also significantly attenuated in the experimental groups. Compared to luteolin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin more potently ameliorated the levels of inflammatory mediators. Phase II enzymes levels and NF-E2 p45-related factor (Nrf)-2 activation that were decreased by GalN/LPS were increased by luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside administration. In addition, compared to luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside acted as a more potent inducer of changes in phase II enzymes. Liver histopathology results were consistent with the mediator and enzyme results. CONCLUSION: Luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside protect against GalN/LPS-induced hepatotoxicity through the regulation of inflammatory mediators and phase II enzymes.
Animals ; Galactosamine ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Liver ; Luteolin ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; NF-kappa B ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Transcription Factors

Luteolin is a flavonoid found in abundance in celery, green pepper, and dandelions. Previous studies have shown that luteolin is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agent. In this study, the anti-inflammatory capacity of luteolin and one of its glycosidic forms, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, were compared and their molecular mechanisms of action were analyzed. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells, luteolin more potently inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 as well as the expression of their corresponding enzymes (inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) than luteolin-7-O-glucoside. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects were investigated to determine whether the inflammatory response was related to the transcription factors, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and activator protein (AP)-1, or their upstream signaling molecules, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Luteolin attenuated the activation of both transcription factors, NF-kappaB and AP-1, while luteolin-7-O-glucoside only impeded NF-kappaB activation. However, both flavonoids inhibited Akt phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, luteolin more potently ameliorated LPS-induced inflammation than luteolin-7-O-glucoside, which might be attributed to the differentially activated NF-kappaB/AP-1/PI3K-Akt pathway in RAW 264.7 cells.
Apium graveolens ; Capsicum ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dinoprostone ; Flavones ; Flavonoids ; Glucosides ; Inflammation ; Luteolin* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; NF-kappa B ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Phosphorylation ; Taraxacum ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; Transcription Factors

Clinical studies were made on 37 cases with thalamic hemorrhage diagnosed by computed tomographic scan and only localized on the thalamic area, were admitted to the Keimyung University Dongsan hospital from January 1981, to December 1985. The age and sex distribution, symptoms and neurologic signs on admission, relationship between the hospital course and many factors affecting the prognosis such as age, side of lesion, level of consciousness, volume of the hematoma, degree of hydrocephalus and ventricular hemorrhage were analysed. The results were summarized as follows; 1. The most prevalent age group was above 51 years of age with 41-50 years, 21-30 years and 31-40 years of age in the order of frequency. Male to female ratio was 15:22. 2. The clinical symptoms on admission in the order of frequency were the impairment of consciousness, headache, nausea and vomiting, speech disturbance and hemiparesis, dizziness and voiding difficulties. The neurologic signs on admission showed hemiparesis, hyperreflexia, and positive Babinski sign, impaired consciousness, hemisensory deficit, central facial nerve palsies, dysarthria, sluggish and unreactive light reflex, small pupil and absent gag reflex, impaired vertical gaze, papilledema, aphasia and abducens nerve palsies in that order. 3. The hospital course had no significant relationship with the age of the patients and the side of hematoma but there was a significant relationship between the alert-drowsy group and the stuporcoma group (P<0.01). 4. The hospital course had no significant relationship with the degree of volume of hematoma and hydrocephalus. The hospital course had a significant relationship with ventricular hemorrhage (P<0.05) but the hospital course of the improved group had no significant tendency to the rate of improvement.
Abducens Nerve Diseases ; Aphasia ; Consciousness ; Dizziness ; Dysarthria ; Facial Nerve ; Female ; Headache ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Male ; Miosis ; Nausea ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Papilledema ; Paralysis ; Paresis ; Prognosis* ; Reflex ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Reflex, Babinski ; Sex Distribution ; Vomiting

We compared the effects of genistein and daidzein on the expression of chemokines, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-stimulated human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). TNF-alpha exposure significantly increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Genistein significantly decreased MCP-1 and VCAM-1 production in a dose-dependent manner, whereas CAM expression was not significantly lowered by genistein treatment. However, daidzein slightly decreased MCP-1 production. The effects of genistein and daidzein on MCP-1 secretion coincided with mRNA expression. Pre-treatment with either genistein or daidzein elevated eNOS expression and nitric oxide production disturbed by TNF-alpha exposure. A low concentration of isoflavones significantly inhibited nuclear factor (NF)kappaB activation, whereas a high dose slightly ameliorated these inhibitive effects. These results suggest that genistein had a stronger effect on MCP-1 and eNOS expression than that of daidzein. Additionally, NFkappaB transactivation might be partially related to the down-regulation of these mRNAs in TNF-alpha-stimulated HUVECs.
Cell Adhesion ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Chemokines ; Down-Regulation ; Endothelial Cells ; Genistein ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Isoflavones ; Monocytes ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; RNA, Messenger ; Transcriptional Activation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

PURPOSE: Esophageal cancer patients have a difficulty in the intake of meals through the blocked esophageal lumen, which is caused by an ingrowth of cancer cells and largely influences on the prognosis. It is reported that esophageal cancer has a very low survival rate due to the lack of nourishment and immunity as the result of this. In this study a new radioactive stent, which prevents tumor ingrowth and restenosis by additional radiation treatment, has been developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using HANARO research reactor, the radioactive stent assembly (166Ho-SA) was prepared by covering the metallic stent with a radioactive sleeve by means of a post-irradiation and pre-irradiation methods. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy and autoradiography exhibited that the distribution of 165/166Ho (NO3) compounds in polyurethane matrix was homogeneous. A geometrical model of the esophagus considering its structural properties, was developed for the computer simulation of energy deposition to the esophageal wall. The dose distributions of 166Ho-stent were calculated by means of the EGS4 code system. The sources are considered to be distributed uniformly on the surface in the form of a cylinder with a diameter of 20 mm and length of 40 mm. As an animal experiment, when radioactive stent developed in this study was inserted into the esophagus of a Mongrel dog, tissue destruction and widening of the esophageal lumen were observed. CONCLUSION: We have developed a new radioactive stent comprising of a radioactive tubular sleeve covering the metallic stent, which emits homogeneous radiation. If it is inserted into the blocked or narrowed lumen, it can lead to local destruction of the tumor due to irradiation effect with dilatation resulting from self-expansion of the metallic property. Accordingly, it is expected that restenosis esophageal lumen by the continuous ingrowth and infiltration of cancer after insertion of our radioactive stent will be decreased remarkably.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Autoradiography ; Computer Simulation ; Dilatation ; Dogs ; Esophageal Neoplasms* ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Meals ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Polyurethanes ; Prognosis ; Stents ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: Dysregulation of adipokines caused by excess adipose tissue has been implicated in the development of obesity-related metabolic diseases. This study evaluated the effects of mugwort (Artemisia princeps Pampanini) ethanol extract on lipid metabolic changes, insulin resistance, adipokine balance, and body fat reduction in obese rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control diet (NC), high-fat diet (HF, 40% kcal from fat), or high-fat diet with 1% mugwort extract (HFM) for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Epididymal and retroperitoneal fat mass increased in the HF group compared with the NC group, and epididymal fat mass was reduced in the HFM group (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) among the groups. However, triglyceride (TG), TG/HDL-C ratio, and TC/HDL-C ratio increased in the HF group and significantly decreased in the HFM group. TG and TC levels in the liver were significantly higher in the HF group, whereas these levels were significantly reduced in the HFM group. HF rats had lower insulin sensitivity as indicated by increased homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value. HOMA-IR values significantly decreased in the HFM group. Adiponectin levels were higher in NC rats, and their leptin and PAI-1 levels were lower. Relative balance of adipokines was reversed in the HF group, with lower adiponectin levels but higher leptin and PAI-1 levels. In contrast, the HFM group maintained balance of adiponectin/leptin and adiponectin/PAI-1 levels similar to NC by reducing leptin and PAI-1 levels. CONCLUSION: Overall data indicated that mugwort extract can be effective in alleviating metabolic dislipidemia, insulin resistance, and adipokine dysregulation induced by a high-fat diet.
Adipokines* ; Adiponectin ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Artemisia* ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Ethanol ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Leptin ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Male ; Metabolic Diseases ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography gives a window to mediastinal or paracardiac structures. When mediastinal or paracardiac masses are detected by a routine chest X-ray and thoracic CT, the difference between vascular and nonvascular lesions may be difficult to diagnose. In these situations, echocardiography has been successfully used recently. CT can be easily standardized and allows visualization of the whole chest, but it is less precise in defining highly mobile structures, more expensive and difficult to perform in patients with orthopnea. But echocardiography is easy to perform, gives real time images. We performed this study to evaluate the usefulness of echocardiography in the identification and investigation of the structural and functional effects of paracardiac masses. METHODS: Twenty patients with paracardiac masses detected by chest X-ray and thoracic CT were examined by transthoracic and/or transesophageal echocardiography. We studied the characteristics of masses and compression site by 2-D echocardiographic techniques and also evaluation of functional effects of a paracardiac masses on heart and great vessels by color pulsed waved Doppler echocardiographic techniques. RESULTS: Nine patients(45.0%) had cystic masses, eleven patients(55.0%) had solid masses. All cystic masses revealed benign, and all solid masses revealed malignant. Among metastatic paracardiac tumors, the most frequent primary site were lung. heart chambers were compressed by paracardiac masses in five cases(26.7%) and great vessel compressed in thirteen cases(76.4%). Turbulent flow and peak velocity documented by color and PW dopple suggested that it is hemodynamically significant compression states of the great vessels by masses. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that echocardiography is as useful as other noninvasive radiographic techniques in the evaluation of paracardiac masses and their mechanical effect upon the function of the heart and great vessels.
Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart ; Humans ; Lung ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: In hypertensive patients, the left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) is very important as an independent risk factor along with developing complications. The present study was attempted to assess whether LVE assessed by echocardiography is related to diurnal variations of blood pressure in patiens with essential hypertension. METHOD: After 24hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiographic parameters were investigated in 30 healthy normotensive subjects and 17 patients with diurnal variation of blood pressure and 19 patients without diurnal variation respectively. RESULTS: Left ventricular mass index was higher in essential hypertensive patients than normotensive subjects. In patients without nocturnal fall in systolic blood pressure, left ventricular mass tended to be higher than in patients with a nocturnal fall without statistic significance. In the hypertensive patients with nocturnal fall, there was a correlationship between LVMI and changes in systolic blood pressure, but no correlation between left ventricular mass index and changes in diastolic blood pressure. In the hypertensive patients without nocturnal fall, changes of both systolic and diastolic pressure did not affect LVMI. CONCLUSION: It is suggested strongly that left ventricular hypertrophy may occur highly in the hypertensive patients without nocturnal(diurnal) variation in blood pressure and may be associated with changes in diastolic and systolic blood pressure. But in hypertensive patient with nocurnal fall, left ventricular hypertrophy may be associated with changes in systolic blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Blood Pressure* ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Risk Factors