No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation*

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to identify the CT features helpful in the differential diagnosis of Iobar consolidation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the CT findings in 52 consecutive patients with Iobar consolidation which were proved to be pulmonary tuberculosis(n=24), malignant obstructive pneumonitis due to bronchogenic carcinoma(n=21), and lung abscess(n=7). We retrospectively reviewed CT scans with respect to 1) number of cavities or low attenuation area suggesting necrosis(we described these as cavity), 2) the contour of cavity, 3) enhancement of the cavity wall, 4) enhancement of pleura, 5) small nodules adjacent to the consolidation, 6) similar lesion in other location in lung, 7) air-bronchogram 8) mediastinal lymph node enlargement, and 9) extrapleural change. RESULTS: The helpful CT fingings in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were multiple cavities(more than three;79.2%), small nodules adjacent to the Iobar consolidation(75.0%), similar lesion in another lobe or lung(91.7%), air-bronchogram(91.7%), and mediastinal lymph node enlargement(58.3%). Although extrapleural change had low sensitivity it was highly specific for pulmonary tuberculosis(sensitivity, 43.5%;specificity, 91. 7%). Multiple cavities(61.9%) and mediastinal lymph node enlargement(52.4%) were common findings of malignant obstructive pneumonitis. In the patients with lung abscess, the common findings were small number of cavities(one or two, 85.7%) and air-bronchogram(85.7%). However, other findings of pulmonary tuberculosis were rarely seen in the patients with malignant obstructive pneumonitis or lung abscess. CONCLUSION: The CT findings of Iobar consolidation may be used as useful adjuncts in the differential diagnosis of Iobar consolidation.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lung Abscess* ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes ; Pleura ; Pneumonia* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

PURPOSE: We attempted to determine the frequency of the type of anterior diaphragm and diaphragmatic abnormalities, and to ascertain whether these two may be correlated with respiration and patient's age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred abdominal CT scans that were obtained at end expiration and 150 chest CT scans that were obtained at end inspiration were retrospectively reviewed for the evaluation of anterior diaphragmatic appearance, diaphragmatic defect, pseudotumor, and undulation. We evaluated the frequency of these findings and the differences of diaphragmatic appearance between the group above 60 years and the group under 59 years. RESULTS: The most common type of anterior diaphragm was lower(50.0%) on chest CT scans and superior (32.5%) on abdominal CT scans;thus, a significant relationship with respiration was observed. Diaphragmatic defect, pseudotumor, and undulation were found in 15.1%, 16.0%, 22.6% of all 350 patients, respectively. Diaphragmatic defect did not change significantly with the respiration or the type of anterior diaphragm. Pseudotumor and undulation, which were more common on chest CT scans and the lower type of anterior diaphragm, demonstrated a trend to change with respiration. Diaphragmatic defect, pseudotumor, and undulation were more common in older age above 60 years(26.4%, 23.6%, 36.8%, respectively) than in under 59 years(7.3%, 10.7%, 12.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Anterior diaphragmatic appearances may not be constant but may change with respiration. Respiration and aging process may be the main causes of diaphragmatic abnormalities.
Aging ; Diaphragm* ; Humans ; Respiration ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: The atheroma in aorta has been emphasized as a potential source of cerebral embolism after the wide use of TEE. But in Korea there has been no report on the frequency of the aortic atheroma in patients with cerbral infarctions. METHODS: Using transesophageal echocardiography, we evaluated aortic atheroma in the thoracic aorta of 44 patients with cerbral infarctions. The aortic atheroma was defined as a raised lesion with an irregular surface of echo shadow. RESULTS: The aortic atheromas were detected in 7 patients(16%) out of 44 patients with cerebral infarction. However, it were detected in only 3 patients out of 71 patients without cerebral infarction. The size of the lesions reaged from 6mm to 16mm(mean 10+/-3.5) and mobility were seen in 2 patients. The lesions were distributed throughout the thoracic aorta. CONCLUSION: Aortic atheroma is a potential source of cerebral infarction. TEE is a useful procedure for the evaluation of the patients with an undetermined cause of cerebral infarction.
Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Embolism ; Korea ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic*

Several theories emphasize that aging is closely related to oxidative stress and disease. The formation of excess ROS can lead to DNA damage and the acceleration of aging. Vigna angularis is one of the important medicinal plants in Korea. We isolated vitexin from V. angularis and elucidated the lifespan-extending effect of vitexin using the Caenorhabditis elegans model system. Vitexin showed potent lifespan extensive activity and it elevated the survival rates of nematodes against the stressful environments including heat and oxidative conditions. In addition, our results showed that vitexin was able to elevate antioxidant enzyme activities of worms and reduce intracellular ROS accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. These studies demonstrated that the increased stress tolerance of vitexin-mediated nematode could be attributed to increased expressions of stress resistance proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) and heat shock protein (HSP-16.2). In this work, we also studied whether vitexin-mediated longevity activity was associated with aging-related factors such as progeny, food intake, growth and movement. The data revealed that these factors were not affected by vitexin treatment except movement. Vitexin treatment improved the body movement of aged nematode, suggesting vitexin affects healthspan as well as lifespan of nematode. These results suggest that vitexin might be a probable candidate which could extend the human lifespan.
Acceleration ; Aging ; Caenorhabditis elegans* ; Caenorhabditis* ; DNA Damage ; Eating ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Korea ; Longevity ; Oxidative Stress ; Plants, Medicinal ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Survival Rate

Recently, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory efficacy of bee venom (BV, Apis mellifera) has been confirmed in rodent models of inflammation and arthritis. Interestingly, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of whole BV can be reproduced by two water-soluble fractions of BV (>20 kDa:BVAF1 and<10 kDa: BVAF3). Based on these scientific findings, BV and its effective water-soluble fractions have been proposed as potential anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive pharmaceuticals. While BV's anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties have been well documented, there have been no careful studies of potential, side effects of BV and its fractions when administered in the therapeutic range (BV, 5 microgram/kg; BVAF1, 0.2 microgram/kg: BVAF3, 3 microgram/kg; subcutaneous or intradermal). Such information is critical for future clinical use of BV in humans. Because of this paucity of information, the present study was designed to determine the general pharmacological/physiological effects of BV and its fractions administration on the rodent central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal system. Subcutaneous BV and its fractions treatment did not produce any significant effects on general physiological functions at the highest dose tested (200-fold and 100-fold doses higher than that used clinically, respectively) except writhing test. These results demonstrate that doses of BV or BV subfractions in the therapeutic range or higher can be used as safe antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory agents.
Analgesics/*pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/*pharmacology ; Bee Venoms/*pharmacology ; Cardiovascular System/*drug effects ; Central Nervous System/*drug effects ; Digestive System/*drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory System/*drug effects

It has been generally accepted that calcium intake prevents bone loss, and frequent fracture resulted from osteoporosis. However, it is still elusive as to how effective sole calcium intake is in preventing or attenuating the severity of osteoporosis. Here, we demonstrate the effects of eggshell-casein phosphopeptide (ES-CPP), and compared these effects those of calcium supplement, for restoring ovariectomy-mediated bone loss. CPP, synthesized from the hydrolysis of casein (0.5%) using trypsin, was added to the grinded ES and was then administered to the ovariectomized (OVX) rat at 100 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Urine and feces from each group were collected each day, and were used to calculate the apparent calcium absorption rate in a day. After 4 weeks incubation, blood and femoral bones were isolated for the analysis of parameters representing osteoporosis. The apparent calcium absorption rate was significantly increased in the ES-CPP treated groups, in comparison to both the OVX and the commercial calcium supplement (CCS) treated group. Notably, treatment with ES-CPP markedly enhanced the calcium content in femoral bone and the relative weight of femoral bone to body weight, though calcium content in serum was barely changed by treatment with ES-CPP. Parameters of osteoporosis, such as osteocalcin in serum and bone mineral density, were rescued by treatment with ES-CPP, compared to treatment with commercial calcium supplement. This finding strongly suggests the possible use of ES-CPP in preventing or attenuating the severity of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Absorption ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Caseins ; Feces ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrolysis ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Piperazines ; Rats ; Trypsin

Background: As the number of large-scale studies involving multiple organizations producing data has steadily increased, an integrated system for a common interoperable format is needed. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a number of global efforts are underway to develop vaccines and therapeutics. We are therefore observing an explosion in the proliferation of COVID-19 data, and interoperability is highly requested in multiple institutions participating simultaneously in COVID-19 pandemic research. Results: In this study, a laboratory information management system (LIMS) approach has been adopted to systemically manage various COVID-19 non-clinical trial data, including mortality, clinical signs, body weight, body temperature, organ weights, viral titer (viral replication and viral RNA), and multiorgan histopathology, from multiple institutions based on a web interface. The main aim of the implemented system is to integrate, standardize, and organize data collected from laboratories in multiple institutes for COVID-19 non-clinical efficacy testings. Six animal biosafety level 3 institutions proved the feasibility of our system. Substantial benefits were shown by maximizing collaborative high-quality non-clinical research. Conclusions This LIMS platform can be used for future outbreaks, leading to accelerated medical product development through the systematic management of extensive data from non-clinical animal studies.