Our previous report demonstrated that chick myoblasts are equipped with Ca2+-permeable stretch- activated channels and Ca2+-activated potassium channels (KCa), and that hyperpolarization-induced by KCa channels provides driving force for Ca2+ influx through the stretch-activated channels into the cells. Here, we showed that acetylcholine (ACh) also hyperpolarized the membrane of cultured chick myoblasts, suggesting that nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) may be another pathway for Ca2+ influx. Under cell-attatched patch configuration, ACh increased the open probability of KCa channels from 0.007 to 0.055 only when extracellular Ca2+ was present. Nicotine, a nAChR agonist, increased the open probability of KCa channels from 0.008 to 0.023, whereas muscarine failed to do so. Since the activity of KCa channel is sensitive to intracellular Ca2+ level, nAChR seems to be capable of inducing Ca2+ influx. Using the Ca2+ imaging analysis, we were able to provide direct evidence that ACh induced Ca2+ influx from extracellular solution, which was dramatically increased by valinomycin-mediated hyperpolarization. In addition, ACh hyperpolarized the membrane potential from -12.5+/-3 to -31.2+/-5 mV by generating the outward current through KCa channels. These results suggest that activation of nAChR increases Ca2+ influx, which activates KCa channels, thereby hyperpolarizing the membrane potential in chick myoblasts.
Acetylcholine* ; Membrane Potentials ; Membranes ; Muscarine ; Myoblasts* ; Nicotine ; Potassium Channels ; Receptors, Nicotinic

Chestnut honey contains various components such as phenolic compounds and alkaloids that exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the composition and activity of chestnut honey significantly differ depending on its region of origin. In this study, the antioxidant activity of chestnut honey obtained from nine regions in Korea was evaluated by ABTS free radical scavenging assay. In addition, the phenolic acid content of each honey sample was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and an ultraviolet (UV) detector. The antioxidant activity increased with the increasing concentration of chestnut honey samples. The major phenolic compounds in chestnut honey were observed to be gallic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acid. Altogether, the quantitative analysis of phenolic acids and evaluation of antioxidant activity in chestnut honey from different regions will contribute to establishing regional chestnut honey profiling in Korea and may provide preliminary data for collecting honey with various biological activities.

BACKGROUND: Triazolam has similar pharmacological properties as other benzodiazepines and is generally used as a sedative to treat insomnia. Alprazolam represents a possible alternative to midazolam for the premedication of surgical patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anxiolytic, sedative, and amnestic properties of triazolam and alprazolam as pre-anesthetic medications. METHODS: Sixty adult patients were randomly allocated to receive oral triazolam 0.25 mg or alprazolam 0.5 mg one hour prior to surgery. A structured assessment interview was performed in the operating room (OR), the recovery room, and the ward. The levels of anxiety and sedation were assessed on a 7-point scale (0 = relaxation to 6 = very severe anxiety) and a 5-point scale (0 = alert to 4 = lack of responsiveness), respectively. The psychomotor performance was estimated using a digit symbol substitution test. As a memory test, we asked the patients the day after the surgery if they remembered being moved from the ward to the OR, and what object we had shown them in the OR. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to anxiety and sedation. The postoperative interviews showed that 22.2% of the triazolam-treated patients experienced a loss of memory in the OR, against a 0% memory loss in the alprazolam-treated patients. In comparison with alprazolam 0.5 mg, triazolam 0.25 mg produced a higher incidence of amnesia without causing respiratory depression. CONCLUSIONS: Oral triazolam 0.25 mg can be an effective preanesthetic medication for psychomotor performance.
Adult ; Alprazolam* ; Amnesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Anxiety ; Benzodiazepines ; Humans ; Incidence ; Memory ; Memory Disorders ; Midazolam ; Operating Rooms ; Preanesthetic Medication ; Premedication* ; Psychomotor Performance ; Recovery Room ; Relaxation ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Triazolam*

Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (SDV) is known to produce analgesic effect in various pain conditions including not only visceral pain but also somatic pain. We aimed to determine brain mechanisms by which SDV induces analgesic effect in somatic pain condition by using formalin-induced acute inflammatory pain model. We identified brain regions that mediate SDV-induced analgesic effect on acute inflammatory pain by analyzing cFos expression in the whole brain. We found that c-Fos expression was specifically increased in the anterior insular cortex (aIC) among subregions of the insular cortex in acute inflammatory pain, which was reversed by SDV. These results were not mimicked in female mice, indicating sexualdimorphism in SDV-induced analgesia. SDV decreased c-Fos expressions more preferentially in glutamatergic neurons rather than GABAergic neurons in the aIC, and pharmacological activation of glutamatergic neurons with NMDA in the aIC inhibited SDV-induced analgesic effect. Furthermore, chemogenetic activation of glutamatergic neurons in the aIC reversed SDV-induced analgesia. Taken together, our results suggest that the decrease in the neuronal activity of glutamatergic neurons in the aIC mediates SDV-induced analgesic effect, potentially serving as an important therapeutic target to treat inflammatory pain.

Background: and Purpose: The Cognitive Impairment Screening Test in Korea (CIST-K) was designed to detect cognitive decline. Developed independently and widely used in Korea, it is yet to be validated with other screening tests. This study aimed to introduce normative data to the CIST-K and assess its clinical usefulness through correlation analysis with the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, 2nd edition (K-MMSE-2). Methods: We enrolled 85 participants from a tertiary university hospital in Korea, including patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease by experienced neurologists. Both the CIST-K and K-MMSE-2 were administered to assess the cognitive function of the participants, with scores from each subtest of the neuropsychological tests compared. Results: Multivariate correlation analysis, which was adjusted for age, sex, and education level, revealed a significant correlation between the two tests in orientation, memory, and attention. However, no significant correlation was found between the two tests in visuospatial and language functions. Conclusions In conclusion, this study demonstrates that some subtests in the CIST-K align with corresponding scores on the K-MMSE-2. However, caution is advised when interpreting visuospatial and language test scores from the CIST-K. Further validity studies are necessary to enhance the sensitivity of each subtest.

Purpose: This study aimed to perform a genome characterization of Streptococcus mitis KHUD 011, a strain isolated from the oral microbiome of a healthy Korean individual, and to compare its genomic features with other S. mitis strains. Materials and Methods: The strain was identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and its genome was sequenced using the PacBio Sequel II platform. De novo assembly and annotation were performed, followed by comparative genomic analysis with three additional strains (S. mitis NCTC 12261, S022-V3-A4, and B6). Pan-genome and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to identify strain-specific genes and assess inter-strain genomic diversity. Results: The genome of S. mitis KHUD 011 consisted of 1,782 protein-coding genes, with a G+C content of 40.24%. Pan-genome analysis identified 1,263 core gene clusters (50.0%), 496 dispensable clusters (19.7%), and 763 strain-specific clusters (30.3%). KHUD 011 displayed 88 strain-specific genes, particularly associated with cell wall/membrane biogenesis, transcriptional regulation, and carbohydrate metabolism. Phylogenetic analysis placed KHUD 011 closely with NCTC 12261, forming a distinct cluster apart from other strains. Conclusion The genome characterization of S. mitis KHUD 011 underscores substantial inter-strain genomic diversity influenced by host interactions, ecological niches, and health status. The identified strain-specific genes, particularly those associated with cell wall/ membrane biogenesis, transcriptional regulation, and carbohydrate metabolism, suggest adaptations to the oral microbiome and its interaction with the host. These findings highlight the ecological versatility of S. mitis and the importance of exploring strains from diverse environments to better understand their role within the host and the broader microbiome.

Background: and Purpose: The Cognitive Impairment Screening Test in Korea (CIST-K) was designed to detect cognitive decline. Developed independently and widely used in Korea, it is yet to be validated with other screening tests. This study aimed to introduce normative data to the CIST-K and assess its clinical usefulness through correlation analysis with the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, 2nd edition (K-MMSE-2). Methods: We enrolled 85 participants from a tertiary university hospital in Korea, including patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease by experienced neurologists. Both the CIST-K and K-MMSE-2 were administered to assess the cognitive function of the participants, with scores from each subtest of the neuropsychological tests compared. Results: Multivariate correlation analysis, which was adjusted for age, sex, and education level, revealed a significant correlation between the two tests in orientation, memory, and attention. However, no significant correlation was found between the two tests in visuospatial and language functions. Conclusions In conclusion, this study demonstrates that some subtests in the CIST-K align with corresponding scores on the K-MMSE-2. However, caution is advised when interpreting visuospatial and language test scores from the CIST-K. Further validity studies are necessary to enhance the sensitivity of each subtest.

Background: and Purpose: The Cognitive Impairment Screening Test in Korea (CIST-K) was designed to detect cognitive decline. Developed independently and widely used in Korea, it is yet to be validated with other screening tests. This study aimed to introduce normative data to the CIST-K and assess its clinical usefulness through correlation analysis with the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, 2nd edition (K-MMSE-2). Methods: We enrolled 85 participants from a tertiary university hospital in Korea, including patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease by experienced neurologists. Both the CIST-K and K-MMSE-2 were administered to assess the cognitive function of the participants, with scores from each subtest of the neuropsychological tests compared. Results: Multivariate correlation analysis, which was adjusted for age, sex, and education level, revealed a significant correlation between the two tests in orientation, memory, and attention. However, no significant correlation was found between the two tests in visuospatial and language functions. Conclusions In conclusion, this study demonstrates that some subtests in the CIST-K align with corresponding scores on the K-MMSE-2. However, caution is advised when interpreting visuospatial and language test scores from the CIST-K. Further validity studies are necessary to enhance the sensitivity of each subtest.

Background: and Purpose: The Cognitive Impairment Screening Test in Korea (CIST-K) was designed to detect cognitive decline. Developed independently and widely used in Korea, it is yet to be validated with other screening tests. This study aimed to introduce normative data to the CIST-K and assess its clinical usefulness through correlation analysis with the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, 2nd edition (K-MMSE-2). Methods: We enrolled 85 participants from a tertiary university hospital in Korea, including patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease by experienced neurologists. Both the CIST-K and K-MMSE-2 were administered to assess the cognitive function of the participants, with scores from each subtest of the neuropsychological tests compared. Results: Multivariate correlation analysis, which was adjusted for age, sex, and education level, revealed a significant correlation between the two tests in orientation, memory, and attention. However, no significant correlation was found between the two tests in visuospatial and language functions. Conclusions In conclusion, this study demonstrates that some subtests in the CIST-K align with corresponding scores on the K-MMSE-2. However, caution is advised when interpreting visuospatial and language test scores from the CIST-K. Further validity studies are necessary to enhance the sensitivity of each subtest.

Purpose: This study aimed to perform a genome characterization of Streptococcus mitis KHUD 011, a strain isolated from the oral microbiome of a healthy Korean individual, and to compare its genomic features with other S. mitis strains. Materials and Methods: The strain was identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and its genome was sequenced using the PacBio Sequel II platform. De novo assembly and annotation were performed, followed by comparative genomic analysis with three additional strains (S. mitis NCTC 12261, S022-V3-A4, and B6). Pan-genome and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to identify strain-specific genes and assess inter-strain genomic diversity. Results: The genome of S. mitis KHUD 011 consisted of 1,782 protein-coding genes, with a G+C content of 40.24%. Pan-genome analysis identified 1,263 core gene clusters (50.0%), 496 dispensable clusters (19.7%), and 763 strain-specific clusters (30.3%). KHUD 011 displayed 88 strain-specific genes, particularly associated with cell wall/membrane biogenesis, transcriptional regulation, and carbohydrate metabolism. Phylogenetic analysis placed KHUD 011 closely with NCTC 12261, forming a distinct cluster apart from other strains. Conclusion The genome characterization of S. mitis KHUD 011 underscores substantial inter-strain genomic diversity influenced by host interactions, ecological niches, and health status. The identified strain-specific genes, particularly those associated with cell wall/ membrane biogenesis, transcriptional regulation, and carbohydrate metabolism, suggest adaptations to the oral microbiome and its interaction with the host. These findings highlight the ecological versatility of S. mitis and the importance of exploring strains from diverse environments to better understand their role within the host and the broader microbiome.