OBJECTIVES: Bee venom contains a potent antiinflammatory peptide 401 as well as mellitin. The purpose of this study was to see the efficacy and safety of purified bee venom injection therapy for knee or spinal osteoarthritis patients. METHODS: One hundred and one osteoarthritis patients were randomly assigned to bee venom injection therapy or oral nabumetone medication group. Bee venom injection group was subdivided into 3 groups according to different dosing schedule(group A: gradual increase up to 0.7mg, group B: up to 1.5mg and group C: up to 2.0mg). Control group patients(group D) were given 1000mg nabumetone daily for 6 weeks. There were 25, 26, 25, and 26 patients assigned to A, B, C, or D group. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by measuring instruments developed by authors, and the safety of bee venom injection was evaluated by hematology and chemistry laboratory examination. RESULTS: Among 101 patients, eighty-one patients completed the study, but twenty patients were dropped out and two of these patients were dropped out due to adverse drug reaction. The efficacy in bee venom group showed better improvement than nabumetone group(p<0.01). Within bee venom group, group B and C showed better improvement than group A(p<0.01). Itching around injection site occurred in most patients, and bodyache occurred in 49 patients (81.7%). Hemoglobin was decreased(0.3g/dl) in group C, but no significant changes were observed in other laboratory values. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of bee venom injection in the control of knee or back pain in osteoarthritis patients was better than nabumetone medication. No severe allergic or adverse reaction was observed in bee venom treatment patients, but problems related with bee venom injection, such as pruritis, bodyache, and the possibility of anaphylaxis, should be considered for the use of bee venom injection.
Anaphylaxis ; Back Pain ; Bee Venoms* ; Bees* ; Chemistry ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Hematology ; Humans ; Knee ; Melitten ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteoarthritis, Spine ; Pruritus

A C6 beta-chemokine, CKbeta8-1, suppressed the colony formation of CD34 + cells of human cord blood (CB). Molecular mechanisms involved in CKbeta8-1-medicated suppression of colony formation of CD34 + cells are not known. To address this issue, the level of various G1/S cell cycle regulating proteins in CKbeta8-1-treated CD34 + cells were compared with those in untreated CD34 + cells. CKbeta8-1 did not significantly alter the expression of the G1/S cycle regulation proteins (cyclin D1, D3, and E), CDK inhibitor (p27and Rb), and other cell proliferation regulation protein (p53) in CB CD34 + cells. Here we describe an in vitro system in which CB CD34 + cells were committed to a multipotent progenitor lineage of colony forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) by a simple combination of recombinant human (rh) GM-CSF and rhIL-3. In this culture system, we found that cyclin E protein appeared later and disappeared faster in the CKbeta8-1-treated cells than in the control cells during CFU-GM lineage development. These findings suggested that cyclin E may play a role in suppressing the colony formation of CFU-GM by CKbeta8-1.
Antigens, CD34/metabolism ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism ; Cell Lineage ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokines, CC/*pharmacology ; Cyclin E/*metabolism ; Fetal Blood/*cytology ; G1 Phase/drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects ; Granulocytes/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism ; Growth Substances/pharmacology ; Humans ; Macrophages/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Stem Cells/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism

Background/Aims: Despite advances in imaging and endoscopic technology, diagnostic modalities for small bowel tumors are simultaneously performed. We investigated the discrepancy rate between each modality and predictive factors of discrepancy in patients with definite small bowel tumors. Methods: Data of patients with definite small bowel tumors who underwent both device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) and computed tomography (CT) were retrieved from web-based enteroscopy registry database in Korea. Predictive risk factors associated with discrepancy were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 998 patients, 210 (21.0%) were diagnosed with small bowel tumor using DAE, in 193 patients with definite small bowel tumor, DAE and CT were performed. Of these patients, 12 (6.2%) showed discrepancy between examinations. Among 49 patients who underwent DAE and video capsule endoscopy (VCE) examination, 13 (26.5%) showed discrepancy between examinations. No significant independent risk factors were associated with concordance between DAE and CT in multivariate logistic regression analysis among the patients. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, red blood cell transfusion was negatively associated with concordance between DAE and VCE in patients with small bowel tumor (odds ratio, 0.163; 95% confidence interval, 0.026 to 1.004; p=0.050). Conclusions For small bowel tumors, the discrepancy rate between DAE and CT was 6.2%, and 26.5% between DAE and VCE. Despite developments in cross-sectional imaging (VCE and DAE modalities), discrepancies still exist. For small bowel bleeding that require significant transfusion while showing insignificant VCE findings, DAE should be considered as the next diagnostic approach, considering the possibility of missed small bowel tumor.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rat periodontal ligament cell viability under 0℃/2 MPa condition up to one week using in vivo 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As soon as 110 upper molar teeth of rats were extracted, they were stored in Hartman's solution under 0℃/2 MPa condition for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 days each. All specimens were treated with in vivo MTT assay and the value of optical density was measured by ELISA reader. These values were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA. RESULT: There was no statistical difference on MTT value between immediate and 1 day storage group. There were statistically significant differences between 1 day and 2 days tsorage, 2 and 3 days storage groups, respectively. Teeth of 3,4, and 7 days storage groups showed significantly lower MTT valuesc ompared with shorter period storage groups. CONCLUSION: When the MTT values were substituted in standard curve, 1 day storage group at 0℃/2 MPa condition showed 68% cell viability when compared with immediate group. It dropped to 13% at 2 days, and to less than 5% at 3 days or more.
Animals ; Cell Survival ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Methods* ; Molar ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Rats* ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: Cognitive functioning was known to be affected by socioeconomic conditions including ethnicity. The Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) and the Korean version of the modified Mini-Mental State Examination (K-modified MMSE; K-mMMSE) scores by age, gender, and educational levels were evaluated. METHODS: Screening interviews were conducted with 2251 men and 3267 women aged 45 and over in 3 communities (Namwon-city of Chonbuk province, Younggwang-gun of Chonnam province). Descriptive performances (means, medians and percentile ranks) were calculated to summarize the range of normal performance. Scatterplots of the K-mMMSE scores according to age or educational attainments were performed. RESULTS: Lower age, higher education, and male gender were associated with higher scores of the K-MMSE and K-mMMSE. In women, more than half (50.6%) had no formal education and 546 women (16.7%) were illiterate. In men, the K-MMSE and K-mMMSE median scores ranged from 27 and 88 for individuals aged from 45 to 49 years old, to 25 and 76 for those aged 70 years and over. In women, the K-MMSE and the K-mMMSE median scores ranged from 17 and 53 for illiterate women, to 28 and 90 for women with more than 10 years of education. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the reference values will allow the clinician to interpret a patients performance on the K-MMSE and K-mMMSE, in light of the value expected from a group of normal subjects with the same sociodemographic profile.
Education ; Female ; Humans ; Jeollabuk-do ; Jeollanam-do ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values

A stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) is widely used for treatment of patients with grades III and IV hemorrhoids. The SH is easy to perform, is associated with less pain and allows early return to normal activities. However, complications, whether severe or not, have been reported. Here, we present the case of a female patient with persistent bleeding after a SH. The bleeding was caused by the formation of granulation tissue at the stapler line, diagnosed with sigmoidoscopy, and successfully treated via transanal excision (TAE) under spinal anesthesia. The biopsy showed inflammatory granulation tissue. After the TAE, her symptom was completely gone.
Anesthesia, Spinal ; Biopsy ; Female ; Granulation Tissue ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemorrhoidectomy ; Hemorrhoids ; Humans ; Sigmoidoscopy

BACKGROUND: Use of suncreen is strongly recommended to prevent the harmful effect by ultraviolet (UV) ray, and new diverse synthetic chemicals have been screened and put forward as effective UV filters. However, the most important aspect of developing a novel UV filter is safety. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to find out if there was any correlation between a high in vitro SPF (Sun Protection Factor) index and skin irritation by using standardized formulations containing organic or inorganic, active sunscreen ingredients. METHODS: HRIPT (Human repeated insult patch test) was conducted on with fifty subjects (male to female ratio as 3: 2, average age was 21.6+/-2.9 years), and in vitro SPFs of sunscreen formulations were measured. Patch tested UV filters (UVA, UVB, and physical blockers) were butyl methoxy dibenzoyl methane (BMDM 2%, 5%), benzophenone-3 (2%, 5%), homosalate (10%, 20%), octyl methoxy cinnamate (10%, 20%), octyl salicylate (5%, 10%), octocrylene (10%, 20%), zinc oxide (10%, 20%)and titanium dioxide (10%, 20%). Skin bioengineering measurements for capacitance, erythema, laser doppler blood flow were carried out before and after HRIPT to compare the subjective observation errors of the conventional scoring system of skin irritation (ICDRG standard). To explore any photoirritability, phototoxicity or photoallergy, individual UV filters were photopatch tested with higher concentrations (5%, 20%) than those of usual photopatch sunscreen test series RESULTS: The range of in vitro SPF revealed from 3.6 to 52.8. A doubtful, rather transient, weak erythema (+0.5) was noted in eight subjects, though the apparent skin irritation reaction can be estimated at over +1 by ICDRG guideline was not found during the HRIPT. The weak erythemas were observed at 20% homosalate, 10% octyl salicylate, 5% octyl salicylate, 20% octyl methoxycinnamate, 10% octyl methoxycinnamate, 10% octocrylene, 20% octocrylene, 5% BMDM, respectively in frequency, thus UVB filters of high concentration were related to weak irritation. Nosignificant differences in the measured skin bioengineering parameters were detected between before and after the HRIPT. Photopatch test failed to find any photoirritability and photoallergy. CONCLUSION: Skin irritability due to high in vitro SPFs appeared to be minimal or remained within the safety margin. However, a weak irritation was suspected from the organic UVB filters under the higher concentration range than its recommended range by regulatory guidelines. As for the newly developed, diverse formulations of multi-organic UV filters claiming high SPFs, dermatologists could consider the potential irritation reactions when it is preferentially used within a population.
Bioengineering ; Dermatitis, Photoallergic ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic ; Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Methane ; Patch Tests ; Skin* ; Solar System* ; Sun Protection Factor* ; Titanium ; Zinc Oxide

About 40% of pregnant women are exposed to one or more kinds of medications including multivitamins during their early pregnancy period. And some of those medications are essential for the mother's health throughout full time of pregnancy. But most of clinical trial for the medicine cannot include the pregnant women because of its uncertain effect on fetus. In this circumstances, the medication can be researched by retrospective study through establishing pregnancy exposure registries. In this study, we aimed to make evidence of fetal safety and risk of many biopharmaceutical products that can help clinician & pregnant women. It is important to enroll the pregnant women who had medication exposure in her early pregnancy without any selective biases. And It should include enough population size and proper data. In addition, pregnancy outcome including the major & minor anomalies of fetus following the exposure of medications in pregnancy must be evaluated by regulated standard guideline. USA & European Union had already published the registry of pregnant women and it really helpful for safe prescription in pregnant women. So It is strongly suggested that this registry will have a great influence on determining the safety and risk of many medications in Korean pregnant women.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; European Union ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Population Density ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prescriptions ; Registries ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate fetal ultrasonographic findings in cases of prenatally diagnosed de novo balanced translocations and the role of fetal ultrasound in prenatal genetic counseling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected cases with de novo balanced translocations that were confirmed in chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, and cordocentesis between 1995 and 2016. A detailed, high-resolution ultrasonography was performed for prediction of prognosis. Chromosomes from the parents of affected fetuses were also analyzed to determine whether the balanced translocations were de novo or inherited. RESULTS: Among 32,070 cases with prenatal cytogenetic analysis, 27 cases (1/1,188 incidence) with de novo balanced translocations were identified. Fourteen cases (51.9%) showed abnormal findings, and the frequency of major structural anomalies was 11.1%. Excluding the major structural anomalies, all mothers who continued pregnancies delivered healthy babies. CONCLUSION: Results of a detailed, high-resolution ultrasound examination are very important in genetic counseling for prenatally diagnosed de novo balanced translocations.
Amniocentesis ; Chorionic Villi Sampling ; Cordocentesis ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Female ; Fetus ; Genetic Counseling ; Humans ; Mothers ; Parents ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Prognosis ; Translocation, Genetic ; Ultrasonography* ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the location of appendiceal base using sonography in acute appendicitis and the usefulness of the appendiceal base marking in deciding the incision site of appendectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed appendix sonography in 813 patients and 381 patients were diagnosed as acute appendicitis. During sonography, we marked the base of the appendix on the skin of the patients' abdomen. After appendiceal base marking, we measured the distance from McBurney's point to the appendiceal base. The marking was used as the guide for incision site for appendectomy by the surgeon. Among 381 patients, we excluded 78 patients due to nonvisualization of the cecoappendiceal junction (n = 6), pregnancy appendicitis (n = 2), false positive appendicitis (n = 3) and no reply from the surgeon (n = 67). So we investigated 303 patients prospectively. After operation, we asked the surgeon whether the appendiceal base marking was helpful for appendectomy or not. RESULTS: The base of the appendix at McBurney's point were 31%, lying within 2 cm from McBurney's point were 20%, within 5 cm were 28%, more than 5 cm were 21%. For the usefulness of appendiceal base marking, 95% showed good correlation with marking and surgical incision, and 5% revealed poor correlation. CONCLUSION: The base of the appendix was located in diverse areas of the abdomen, although most frequent in the McBurney's point and within 2 cm from the McBurney's point. Appendiceal base marking on the skin of the abdomen after diagnosis of acute appendicitis could be an useful method to guide the surgeon for decision of surgical incision site.
Abdomen ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis* ; Appendix* ; Deception ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Skin