STUDY DESIGN: Genetic screening of the estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) genes in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). OBJECTIVE: We studied the relationships between ESR2 gene polymorphisms and OPLL to understand the pathophysiology of OPLL. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The OPLL has a strong genetic component. Several familial surveys and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotype studies reveal that genetic background is an important component in the occurrence of OPLL and a large number of gene analysis studies were utilized to clarify the susceptible gene for OPLL, including COL11A2, BMP-2, TNF-alpha, NPPS, leptin receptor, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, Retinoic X receptor, ER, IL-1, PTH, and VDR have been performed. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples obtained from 164 patients (93 men and 71 women) with OPLL and 219 control subjects, without the disease (105 men and 114 women) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and polymorphism genotypes were determined by the restriction endonuclease digestion. The distribution of genotypes was compared between the patients with the disease and the control subjects. RESULTS: The polymorphism of ESR2 [rs1256049, exon6, Val328Val, p=0.018, odd ratio (OR)=2.41, 95 confidence interval (CI)=1.15-5.02 in the recessive model] only showed statistically significant association between the control and the OPLL groups. The rest SNPs of ESR2 did not show any significant differences between the control and the OPLL groups. CONCLUSIONS: Estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) gene polymorphisms (rs 1256049) was associated with OPLL. In future studies, we will perform target SNP chip between OPLL and candidate gene.
Digestion ; DNA ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; Estrogens ; Genetic Testing ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; Leukocytes ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Male ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, Leptin ; Spine ; Succinimides ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

This study was conducted to improve the nutritional status of high school girls via lunch menu intervention. Surveys were carried out twice to evaluate basal status and status after lunch menu intervention. In the first survey nutrient intakes of 24-hour and school lunch were each estimated by 24-hour recall dietary survey and self-recording, respectively. Calcium intake was the lowest among nutrients, and stir-frying was the most preferred cooking method. Five dishes of school lunch menus which were included in the first survey were replaced with recipes containing foods with higher calcium level; anchovy stir-fried with red pepper paste, anchovy stir-fried with almond, pork stir-fried with shredded kelp, crab meat soup, and tteokbokki with cheese. In the second survey calcium intake from school lunch was significantly (p < 0.001) increased from 45.5% to 50.2% of one thirds of recommended intake (RI) after calcium enriched lunch menu intervention. Intakes of vitamin A and E were also significantly increased, whereas those of energy, thiamin, and vitamin C were decreased. Index of nutritional quality values of nutrients of 24-hour intakes (except thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin C) is increased by intervention; however, those of calcium, folic acid, iron are still very low. Even though this study shows a possibility of improving nutrient intakes of students through school lunch menu intervention, lunch intervention by itself is not enough action to improve nutritional status of micronutrient for adolescents.
Adolescent ; Ascorbic Acid ; Calcium ; Capsicum ; Cheese ; Cooking ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Iron ; Kelp ; Lunch ; Meat ; Micronutrients ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Prunus dulcis ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamins

Volume replacement is a vital therapy in patient with circulatory shock, but the type of fluid that should be infused remains in controversy. This study is designed to compare the cardiopulmonary effects of a colloid solution and a crystalloid solution in dogs subjected to severe hemorrhagic shock. Twelve dogs were bled into shock and mean arterial pressure(MAP) were maintained at 60 mmHg for 1 hour followed by further hemorrhage to 40 mmHg for additional one hour, Animals were randomized to fluid challenge with 10% pentastarch(group P) or 0.9% normal saline(group S) to restore MAP. Complete hemodynamic and blood gas parameters and plasma lactate concentration were measured at pre-shock, during shock and after resuscitation for 2 hours. Cardiac function and hemodynamic stability were restored to higher level than the control level on the completion of fluid challenge with each type of solution, but hemodynamic parameters decreased as time goes after resuscitation. Especially in group S, hemodynamic parameters decreased more significantly and rapidly than group P. Considering the relation of left ventricular stroke work index(LVSWI) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(PCWP), the cardiac performance was well maintained to normal level in group P during post-resuscitation period, but rapidly deteriorated in group S. There was a significant increase in intrapulmonary shunt fraction with pentastarch that was maximal on the completion of fluid challenge but which normalized over the next 1 hour. Assessment of tissue perfusion was measured by mixed venous oxygen tension(PVO2) and plasma lactate concentration. In group P, PVO. was restored to higher than the control level and maintained to the cantrol level during post-resuscitation period, but in group S, it was not restored to control level at the completion of fluid challenge, moreover after then, it decreased progressively. Plssma lactate concentration was recovered to control level in group P at the completion of fluid challenge, but in group S, it was recovered lately. It means that tissue perfusion was more rapidly and effectively restored in group P than group S. In conclusion, infusion of pentastarch at severe hemorrhagic shock restored the hemodynamic parameter more rapidly and maintained cardiac performance more effectively during post-resuscitation period than normal saline. Infusion of pentastarch also maintained tissue perfusion more effectively but it increased intrapulmonary shunt fraction transiently.
Animals ; Capillaries ; Colloids ; Dogs ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives* ; Lactic Acid ; Oxygen ; Perfusion ; Plasma ; Resuscitation* ; Shock* ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; Stroke

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to know whether silibinin has an anticancer effect on triple negative breast cancer xenograft model using MDA-MB-468 cells. METHODS: To establish the xenograft model, we injected the MDA-MB-468 cells into female Balb/c-nude mice. After establishing a xenograft model, oral silibinin was administered to the tested mice in the way of 200 mg/kg for 45 days. The difference of mean tumor volume between silibinin fed mice and control mice was analyzed. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation in MDA-MB-468 cells was analyzed by Western blotting. The expression of VEGF, COX-2, and MMP-9 genes in tumor tissue was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: In the xenograft model using MDA-MB-468 cells, we found that oral administration of silibinin significantly suppressed the tumor volume (silibinin treated mice vs. control mice; 230.3 +/- 61.6 mm3 vs. 435.7 +/- 93.5 mm3, P < 0.001). The phosphorylation of EGFR in MDA-MB-468 cells was inhibited by treatment with 50 microg/mL of silibinin. In real time-PCR analysis of tumor tissue obtained from sacrificed mice, the gene expression of MMP-9, VEGF, and COX-2 was 51.8%-80% smaller in silibinin group than that of control group and we can also verify the similar result using Western blotting analysis. CONCLUSION: We verified that silibinin had anticancer effect on xenograft model of MDA-MB-468 cells in the way of preventing the phosphorylation of EGFR and eventually suppressed the production of COX-2, VEGF, and MMP-9 expression. Finally, the tumor volume of xenograft models was decreased after administration of Silibinin.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Heterografts* ; Humans ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms ; Tumor Burden ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

No abstract available.
Astrocytoma* ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the key components of Korean disaster psychiatric assistant teams (K-DPATs), to set up new mental health service providing system for the disaster victims. METHODS: We conducted an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) involving disaster mental health experts, using a pairwise comparison questionnaire to compare the relative importance of the key components of the Korean disaster mental health response system. In total, 41 experts completed the first online survey; of these, 36 completed the second survey. Ten experts participated in panel meetings and discussed the results of the survey and AHP process. RESULTS: It was agreed that K-DPATs should be independent of the existing mental health system (70.1%), funding for K-DPATs should be provided by the Ministry of Public Safety, and the system should be managed by the Ministry of Health (65.8%). Experts shared the view that K-DPAT leaders would be suitable key decision makers for all types of disaster, with the exception of those involving infectious diseases. CONCLUSION: K-DPAT, a new model for disaster mental health response systems could improve the insufficiency of the current system, address problems such as fragmentation, and fulfill disaster victims’ unmet need for early professional intervention.
Communicable Diseases ; Decision Making* ; Disaster Victims ; Disasters* ; Financial Management ; Mental Health ; Mental Health Services

BACKGROUND: It is well known that anticonvusant drugs such as carbamazepine are effective in the management of various neuropathic pain conditions. Oxcarbazepine, a keto analogue of carbamazepine, might also be expected to have an analgesic effect because it is a derivative of carbamazepine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the analgesic effect of oxcarbazepine in a rat neuropathic pain model. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared by tightly ligating the L5 and L6 spinal nerves to reproduce neuropathic pain. Sixty neuropathic rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups for the intraperitoneal administration of drugs. Normal saline, vehicle (polyethylene glycol 400), oxcarbazepine (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) were administered respectively to the individual groups. We examined mechanical and cold allodynia preadministration, and 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after intraperitoneal drug administration. Mechanical allodynia was quantified by measuring the withdrawal frequency to stimuli with two von Frey filaments of 35.6 mN and 115.2 mN. Cold allodynia was quantified by measuring the frequency of foot lift to 100% acetone. Pain behavior may be influenced by the adverse effects of anticonvulsants, which include sedation, motor incoordination. We therefore measured the locomotor function of the neuropathic rats by using the rotarod test. RESULTS: The vehicle group showed no significant differences in the mechanical and cold allodynia versus the saline group. In the oxcarbazepine-treated groups, withdrawal frequencies to mechanical and cold stimuli were significantly reduced versus the pre-administration values and versus the vehicle group. The duration of antiallodynic effects increased dose-dependently, and these were maintained for 150 min at the highest dose. Only at the highest dose (50 mg/kg) did oxcarbazepine reduce the rotarod performance time. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that oxcarbazepine reduces mechanical and cold allodynia in a rat neuropathic pain model and may be a candidate for the management of neuropathic pain.
Acetone ; Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; Ataxia ; Carbamazepine ; Foot ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia* ; Male ; Models, Animal* ; Neuralgia ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rotarod Performance Test ; Spinal Nerves

PURPOSE: Chest injuries in multiple trauma patients are major predisposing factor for increased length of stay in intensive care unit, prolonged mechanical ventilator, and respiratory complications such as pneumonia. The aim of this study is the evaluation of lung injury score as a risk factor for prolonged management in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Between June to August in 2011, 46 patients admitted to shock and trauma center in our hospital and 24 patients had associated chest damage without traumatic brain injury. Retrospectively, we calculated injury severity score (ISS), lung injury score, and the number of fractured ribs and performed nonparametric correlation analysis with length of stay in ICU and mechanical ventilator support. RESULTS: Calculated lung injury score(<48 hours) was median 1(0-3) and ISS was median 30(8-38) in study population. They had median 2(0-14) fractured ribs. There were 2 bilateral fractures and 2 flail chest. Ventilator support was needed in 11(45.8%) of them for median 39 hours(6-166). The ISS of ventilator support group was median 34(24-34) and lung injury score was median 1.7(1.3-2.5). Tracheostomy was performed in one patient and it was only complicated case and ICU stay days was median 9(4-16). In correlation analysis, Lung injury score and ISS were significant with the length of stay in ICU but the number of fractured ribs and lung injury score were predicting factors for prolonged mechanical ventilator support. CONCLUSION: Lung injury score could be a possible prognostic factor for the prediction of increased length of stay in ICU and need for mechanical ventilator support.
Brain Injuries ; Critical Care ; Flail Chest ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Lung ; Lung Injury ; Multiple Trauma ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribs ; Risk Factors ; Self-Help Groups ; Shock ; Thoracic Injuries ; Thorax ; Tracheostomy ; Trauma Centers ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Leiomyomas are very common tumors in the uterus and related adjacent structures but rare in the retroperitoneal space. Retroperitoneal leiomyomas are extremely rare and have a good prognosis. Long-term follow-up reveals no metastasis but small potential for local recurrences cannot be ruled out. We report a 44-years-old woman with retroperitoneal leiomyomas who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and left salpingooophorectomy 8 years ago due to uterine leiomyomas. Laparotomy was performed, and mass excision was successful.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Laparotomy ; Leiomyoma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Uterus

OBJECTIVE: We report our experience with midtrimester amniocentesis. METHODS: This study was retrospectively reviewed 896 cases of midtrimester genetic amniocentesis from January 1997 to October 2003 in Yonsei university, Wonju Colleage of medicine. We analyzed the indications, distributions of gestational age, cytogenetic results, and the safety. RESULTS: The most common Indications for amniocentesis were abnormal maternal serum marker (52.7%) and advanced maternal age (36.6%). Most amniocentesis has been performed during second trimester from 16 to 20 weeks. The incidence of chromosomal abnormality was 3.9% (35 cases). There were 26 cases of numerical aberration, 6 cases of structural aberration and 3 cases of mosaicism. In chromosomal aberration, there was 9.0% (2/22) of chromosomal abnormalities in abnormal ultrasonographic finding group and 6.9% (2/29) in previous chromosomal anomaly. There were 3 cases of fetal loss (0.3%) after amniocentesis. CONCLUSION: Midtrimester amniocentesis is a useful and safe technique for the prenatal detection of genetic disorder.
Amniocentesis* ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetics ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Mosaicism ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Retrospective Studies