Purpose: The extraction conditions for bioactive components from peanut shells, which is a byproduct of peanut processing, were optimized to enhance the total phenolic content (TPC, Y1 ), total flavonoid content (TFC, Y2 ), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (RSA, Y3). In addition, this study evaluated the anti-obesity effect of peanut shell extract. Methods: Optimization of ultrasonic‐assisted extraction (UAE) was performed using a response surface methodology. The independent variables applied for extraction were time (X1 : 5.0–55.0), temperature (X2 : 26.0–94.0), and ethanol concentration (X3 : 0.0%–99.5%). Quadratic regression models were derived based on the results of 17 experimental sets, and an analysis of the variance was performed to verify its accuracy and precision of the regression equations. Results: When evaluating the effects of independent variables on responses using statistically-based optimization, the independent variable with the most significant effect on the TPC, TFC, and RSA was the ethanol concentration (p = 0.0008). The optimal extraction conditions to satisfy all three responses were 35.8 minutes, 82.7°C, and 96.0% ethanol. Under these conditions, the inhibitory activities of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase by the extract were 86.4% and 78.5%, respectively. Conclusion In this study, UAE showed superior extraction efficiency compared to conventional hot-water extraction in the extraction of polyphenols and bioactive materials. In addition, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory effects were identified, suggesting that peanut shells can be used as effective antioxidants and anti-obesity agents in functional foods and medicines.

Hyponatremia, the most common electrolyte disorder, has been rarely reported as causing rhabdomyolysis. Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS), a demyelinating disease of the central pons and/or other areas of the brain, is infrequently reported as associated with rapid correction of hyponatremia. This paper reports a case of ODS after correction of severe hyponatremia complicated by rhabdomyolysis. A 47-year-old female with a history of chronic alcoholism presented herself at the hospital with altered consciousness after three days of nausea and vomiting. She was on a thiazide diuretic for essential hypertension. Her blood tests upon her hospital admission showed hyponatremia (Na+ 98 mEq/L), hypokalemia (K+ 3.0 mEq/L), and elevation of her serum creatine phosphokinase (3,370 IU/L) with an increase in her serum myoglobin level 11,267 ng/mL). She was treated with intravenous fluid therapy that included isotonic and hypertonic salines along with potassium chloride. She became more alert, and her neurological condition gradually improved after the first five days of her therapy. On the ninth day after her admission, she developed progressive quadiaresis associated with dysarthria, dysphagia, and dystonia despite the resolution of her hyponatremia. Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain on 16th day revealed symmetrical areas of signal hyperintensity in her central pons, basal ganglia, and precentral gyrus in T2-weighted images, which are consistent with ODS. Her neurological symptoms steadily improved after six weeks with only supportive treatment and rehabilitation.
Alcoholism ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Consciousness ; Creatine Kinase ; Deglutition Disorders ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Dysarthria ; Dystonia ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypokalemia ; Hyponatremia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myoglobin ; Nausea ; Pons ; Potassium Chloride ; Rhabdomyolysis ; Vomiting

This study investigated the effects of soyoligosaccharide consumption on lipid profile of plasma, liver and feces and immune responses in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats 4-wk-old were provided the soyoligosaccharide containing diets for 4 weeks (0, 100 g/kg diet); each of these diets was supplemented with either 70 or 200 g fat/kg diet, giving a total of 4 experimental groups. The effect of weight reduction was most significantly observed in the group fed low fat and soyoligosacchairde diet. The plasma total lipid and cholesterol contents were not changed by either fat proportion or soyoligosaccharide supplementation in the diets. Also the plasma triglyceride lowering effect by soyoligosaccharide was not observed in rats fed either low fat or high fat diet. However, the significant decrease in TG contents was found with rats fed high fat diets compared to the control/no soyoligosaccharide diet. Elevation of plasma LDL-cholesterol and reduction of HDL-cholesterol by feeding high fat diet was not altered by supplementing soyoligosaccharide. This was also applied to the liver lipid profiles. The significant increases in liver total lipid, triglycerides and cholesterol by high fat diet was not abolished by feeding soyoligosaccharide. However, the desirable effects of feeding soyoligosaccharide were found with total lipid and cholesterol excretion through feces in rats fed high fat diets. Immune organ weights and spleen cell proliferations did not affected by experimental diets. These results demonstrated that soyoligosaccharide intakes increased the lipid output via feces, especially in rats fed the high fat diet, but more researches are needed on immune responses.
Animals ; Cholesterol ; Diet* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Feces ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Liver ; Male ; Organ Size ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; Triglycerides ; Weight Loss

A duodenal web is an incomplete diaphragm of the duodenal lumen that causes a partial or (intermittent) complete obstruction. The size of a duodenal web’s aperture determines the degree of obstruction, age at presentation, and radiologic findings. We report a case of duodenal web incidentally diagnosed in a 14-month-old boy who presented to the hospital after ingesting a foreign body. We provide a comprehensive report of multiple studies through abdominal radiograph, upper gastrointestinal study, endoscopy, and surgical findings. We emphasize that the duodenum should be considered as the location of the obstruction when infants exhibit delayed discharge or dynamic positioning of a foreign body in a radiologic examination.

PURPOSE: Fibroepithelial polyps on the eyelid or orbit have not been previously reported in Korea. Herein, we report our experience with a case of a primary localized fibroepithelial polyp of the eyelid. CASE SUMMARY: A 78-year-old male patient presented with a round mass on the lower eyelid which has been noticed 1 week prior. There was no pain and no tenderness. The mass was removed and excisional biopsy was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed findings suggestive of a fibroepithelial polyp. There was no local recurrence during 4 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Fibroepithelial polyp should be considered when determining the type of eyelid mass.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Eyelids* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Orbit ; Polyps* ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the validity of Onen's alternative grading system (AGS) with that of the APDRP and SFU grading systems in patients with isolated and complicated congenital hydronephrosis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 153 patients (204 renal units) diagnosed with congenital hydronephrosis between January 2002 and December 2011. We classified patients into 2 groups; isolated or complicated hydronephrosis. All renal units were graded according to anterior-posterior diameter of renal pelvis (APDRP), Society for Fetus Urology (SFU) and Onen's grading systems. We analyzed the prognosis of hydronephrosis, according to each grading system, at 2 years of age. RESULTS: There were 152 renal units with isolated hydronephrosis and 52 renal units with complicated hydronephrosis. The isolated hydronephrosis group had a lower grade according to Onen's AGS, and showed more frequent spontaneous remission by 2 years of age. There was more frequent obstruction (P=0.000) and surgical treatment (P=0.000) of units with high-grade hydronephrosis according to Onen's AGS. In the complicated hydronephrosis group the frequencies of spontaneous remission (P=0.015) and renal dysfunction (P=0.013) were significantly higher than those in high-grade hydronephrosis, as indicated by Onen's AGS. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes among the highest grade groups, according to the 3 systems, in either isolated or complicated hydronephrosis. CONCLUSION: Onen's AGS reflects the prognosis of hydronephrosis as well as other grading systems in those with isolated hydronephrosis. It was better predictor of renal dysfunction in those with complicated hydronephrosis. However, Onen's AGS was not superior to the other grading systems in terms of predicting prognosis, especially in high-grade hydronephrosis.
Fetus ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis* ; Kidney Pelvis ; Medical Records ; Prognosis ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Urology

Perilymphatic fistula (PLF) is caused by leakage of perilymph through an abnormal communication between the inner and middle ear. Conservative treatment is considered in the initial stages; however, exploratory tympanotomy is performed if hearing does not improve or if dizziness persists. Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) is considered an appropriate treatment option and is gaining popularity. We report a rare case of traumatic PLF in a 7-year-old male patient, in whom pneumolabyrinth without temporal bone fracture was diagnosed and treated by exploratory tympanotomy using TEES, and review the related research to discuss the usefulness of management using TEES for PLF.

Background: Mast cells are skin immune sentinels located in the upper dermis, where wheal formation and sensory nerve stimulation take place. Skin inflammation is occasionally accompanied by mast cell-driven responses with wheals, angioedema, or both. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are regarded as typical stimuli to drive mast cell activation. However, various causative factors, including microbial infections, can drive IgE-independent mast cell response. When infected, the innate immunity orchestrates an immune response by activating receptor signaling via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Objective: In this study, we determined the effect of TLR7 stimulation on mast cells to investigate the possible mechanism of IgE-independent inflammatory response. Methods: Human mast cell (HMC) line, HMC-1 cells were treated with TLR7 agonist and the morphologic alteration was observed in transmission electron microscopy. Further, TLR7 agonist treated HMC-1 cells were conducted to RNA sequencing to compare transcriptomic features. Results: HMC-1 cells treated with TLR7 agonist reveals increase of intracellular vesicles, lipid droplets, and ribosomes. Also, genes involved in pro-inflammatory responses such as angiogenesis are highly expressed, and Il12rb2 was the most highly upregulated gene. Conclusion Our data suggest that TLR7 signaling on mast cells might be a potential therapeutic target for mast cell-driven, IgE-independent skin inflammation.

Background: Mast cells are skin immune sentinels located in the upper dermis, where wheal formation and sensory nerve stimulation take place. Skin inflammation is occasionally accompanied by mast cell-driven responses with wheals, angioedema, or both. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are regarded as typical stimuli to drive mast cell activation. However, various causative factors, including microbial infections, can drive IgE-independent mast cell response. When infected, the innate immunity orchestrates an immune response by activating receptor signaling via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Objective: In this study, we determined the effect of TLR7 stimulation on mast cells to investigate the possible mechanism of IgE-independent inflammatory response. Methods: Human mast cell (HMC) line, HMC-1 cells were treated with TLR7 agonist and the morphologic alteration was observed in transmission electron microscopy. Further, TLR7 agonist treated HMC-1 cells were conducted to RNA sequencing to compare transcriptomic features. Results: HMC-1 cells treated with TLR7 agonist reveals increase of intracellular vesicles, lipid droplets, and ribosomes. Also, genes involved in pro-inflammatory responses such as angiogenesis are highly expressed, and Il12rb2 was the most highly upregulated gene. Conclusion Our data suggest that TLR7 signaling on mast cells might be a potential therapeutic target for mast cell-driven, IgE-independent skin inflammation.

In this study, we investigated the effects of the ethanol extract of aerial parts of Raphanus sativus L. (ERL) on breast cancer cell proliferation and gene expression associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of various concentrations (100, 200, or 300 microg/mL) of ERL. ERL significantly decreased cell proliferation after 48 h of incubation (P < 0.05). The protein and mRNA expression of ErbB2 were decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The protein expression of ErbB3 was decreased significantly at an ERL concentration of 300 microg/mL (P < 0.05), and mRNA expression of ErbB3 was decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The protein expression of Akt was decreased significantly at the ERL concentration of 200 microg/mL (P < 0.05), and the protein expression of pAkt was decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of Akt was decreased significantly at the ERL concentration of 200 microg/mL ERL (P < 0.05). The protein and mRNA expression of Bax were increased significantly at ERL concentrations of 200 microg/mL or higher (P < 0.05). The protein expression of Bcl2 was increased significantly at ERL concentrations of 100 microg/mL or higher (P < 0.05), and mRNA expression of Bcl2 was increased significantly at an ERL concentration of 300 microg/mL (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that Raphanus sativus, L. inhibits cell proliferation via the ErbB-Akt pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells.
Apoptosis ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Proliferation ; Ethanol ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Raphanus ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; RNA, Messenger