PURPOSE: This study was to determine the effect of DHEA administration before, during, and after dexamethasone treatment on body weight and TypeI,II muscle weight of rat receiving dexamethasone treatment. METHOD: Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: control(C), dexamethasone(D), DHEA administration for 3days after dexamethasone treatment for 7days(7D+3DH), dexamethasone treatment for 7days after DHEA administration for 3days(3DH+7D), DHEA administration during dexamethasone treatment for 4days after dexamethasone treatment for 3days(3D+4DDH), DHEA administration during dexamethasone treatment for 7days(7DDH). Dexamethasone was injected by subcutaneously daily at a dose of 5mg/kg. DHEA was orally administered daily at a dose of 5mg/kg for 7 days. Soleus(TypeI) muscle, and both plantaris and gastro- cnemius(TypeII) muscles were dissected on the 7th day of experiment. RESULT: Body weight of both 3DH+7D group and 3D+4DDH group increased significantly compared with that of 7D group. Body weight of 7D+3DH group decreased significantly compared with that of 7D group, 7DDH group, 3DH+7D group and 3D+4DDH group. Muscle weight of both plantaris and gastro- cnemius tended to decrease compared with that of 7D group. Muscle weight of 7DDH group, 3D+4DDH group and 3DH+7D group increased significantly compared with that of 7D+3DH group. Muscle weight of gastrocnemius of both 3DH+7D group and 3D+4DDH group increased significantly compared with that of 7D group. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it can be suggested that DHEA administration before and during dexamethasone treatment can increase both body weight and mass of atrophied TypeII muscle induced by dexa- methasone treatment.
Animals ; Body Weight* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Dexamethasone* ; Muscles* ; Rats* ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore clinical factors or high-risk factors associated with occurrence of delirium tremens (DT) during acute alcohol withdrawal in inpatients with alcohol dependence. METHODS: This study included 164 inpatients seeking treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal in the detoxification unit. All subjects were evaluated prospectively for known risk factors for DT and their occurrence of DT. Correlations were determined between risk factors obtained at admission and development of DT. RESULTS: Among all subjects, 42 patients (25.6%) suffered from delirium tremens within seven days after admission. DT patients had more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, the presence of past DT, and higher levels of aspartate aminotransferas, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, and homocysteine, compared with patients who did not suffer DTs. According to results of a multiple regression, occurrence of DT showed correlation with the following factors at admission: tremor, a past history of DT, higher homocysteine level, and nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION: Development of DT showed correlation with symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal, past history of DT, and higher homocysteine level. Among these, a severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and a history of DT are factors that can be easily evaluated on the day of admission in order to predict the potential for occurrence of DT.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium ; Alcoholism ; Aspartic Acid ; Delirium ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Nausea ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; Tremor

Background: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued for a couple of years, the long-term effects of the pandemic and the subsequent school curriculum modification on the mental health of children and parents need to be investigated. To clarify the changes that can occur during one school year and to predict the risk factors for vulnerable groups, this study identified parameters relative to children’s screen time, their problematic behavior, and parental depression. Methods: A total of 186 participants were analyzed who were parents of elementary schoolchildren in South Korea. These parents were required to complete a web-based questionnaire twice. The questionnaires were conducted in June 2020 and September 2021. Participants’ general demographics including family income, children’s screen time, sleep patterns, problematic behavior, and parental depression were assessed via the parental questionnaire that included various measurement tools. Results: Children’s body mass index (BMI) increased significantly in 2021 (18.94 ± 3.75 vs. 18.14 ± 3.30, P < 0.001). Smartphone frequency of use per week (5.35 vs. 4.54, P < 0.001) and screen time per day (3.52 vs. 3.16, P < 0.001) significantly increased during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The television screen time (2.88 vs. 3.26, P < 0.001), frequency of viewing (3.77 vs. 4.77, P < 0.001), and children’s problematic behaviors significantly decreased (9.15 vs. 11.85,P < 0.001). A lower income household was a key predictor of increased smartphone frequency (B = 1.840, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.923–2.757, P < 0.001) and smartphone screen time (B = 1.992, 95% CI, 1.458–2.525, P < 0.001). The results showed that the lower income household (B = 5.624, 95% CI, 2.927–8.320, P < 0.001) and a child’s psychiatric treatment history (B = 7.579, 95% CI, 5.666–9.492, P < 0.001) was the most significant predictor of problematic behaviors of children and parental depression (B = 3.476, 95% CI, 1.628–5.325, P < 0.001; B = 3.138, 95% CI, 1.827–4.450, P < 0.001). Conclusion This study suggested that children’s smartphone screen time and BMI increased during COVID-19 because of the school curriculum modification following school closures in South Korea. The increased children’s problematic behaviors and parental depression were predicted by lower-income households and the previous psychiatric history of children. These results indicate that multiple social support systems to the vulnerable group are needed during the ongoing pandemic and that a modified school setting is required.

Tetanus is a bacterial infection by Clostridium tetani. Its neurotoxin causes spastic paralysis and autonomic dysfunction. Intrathecal infusion of baclofen has been suggested as a pertinent treatment for generalized spasm. Our case describes a patient who had a severe generalized form of tetanus, and was effectively treated with intrathecal baclofen infusion. He showed cerebral and brainstem dysfunction during baclofen infusion, which were reversed without sequelae when baclofen was discontinued.

Tendon and ligament (T/L) have been known to be obviously different from each other in tissue level. However, due to the overlapping gene markers, distinction in cellular level has not been clearly verified yet. Recently, the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has shown the potential to detect biological markers in cellular level. Therefore, in this study we applied a non-invasive technique based on NMR spectroscopy to establish biomarkers to distinguish between T/L fibroblasts. In addition the cellular morphologies and gene expression patterns were also investigated for comparison through optical microscopy and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No difference was observed from morphology and real-time PCR results, either as expected. However, we found clear differences in their metabolomic spectra using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The calculated integral values of fatty acids (with chemical shifts at ~0.9, 1.26, 1.59, 2.05, 2.25, and 2.81 ppm), lactate (~1.33 ppm), and leucine (~2.72 ppm) were significantly different between the two types of fibroblasts. To be specific tendon group exhibited higher level of the metabolite than ligament group. In conclusion, in-cell metabolomic evaluation by NMR technique used in this study is believed to provide a promising tool in distinguishing cell types, especially T/L cells, which cannot be classified by conventional biological assays.
Biological Assay ; Biomarkers ; Fatty Acids ; Fibroblasts* ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Overlapping ; Lactic Acid ; Leucine ; Ligaments* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy* ; Metabolomics ; Microscopy ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spectrum Analysis* ; Tendons*

Extramedullary plasmacytoma is a relatively rare tumor, occuring in a wide variety of organs and tissues, and is most frequently seen in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma located in the gastrointestinal tract is rare, especially the in colon. We report a case of solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma in the cecum of a 58-year-old man which simulated a carcinoma both endoscopically and radiologically. But histopathologic evaluation demonstrated a sheet-like proliferation of pure plasma cells with monoclonality for IgM and lamda chain which confirmed the diagnosis of plasmacytoma.
Cecum ; Colon* ; Diagnosis ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Plasma Cells ; Plasmacytoma* ; Respiratory System

Recently, immediately after losing teeth, implant placement has been greatly attempted. Implant can help restoration of tooth functions within short time. This study was an attempt to examine the extent of osseointergation when the implants will be placed immediately after teeth extraction using domestic implant systems. Implants were inserted in beagle dogs and evaluated the clinical, radiological, histological and histomorphometric assay at 6 weeks and 12 weeks. For experimental materials, STAGE-1(R)(4.1x8mm, Lifecore, USA), SS-III(R)(4.0x8mm, OSSTEM, Korea) and IFI(R)(4.0x8 mm, DIO, Korea) implants treated with RBM were placed. All the placed site showed normal results without fail and inflammation clinically and radiologically. As a result of measurement by periotest, it showed -2 ~ -5 and stable status comprehensively. There was no statistically significant difference among implants(p<0.05). Bone tissue adjacent to implant showed increased marrow tissue at 6 weeks. Nevertheless, osteogenic structure was not observed remarkably. In a 12 weeks opinion, bone tissue composed of osseointegration along implant interface showed significantly decreased marrow tissue containing central vessels unlike a 6 weeks opinion and matured compact bone whose osteogenic structure is well formed. BIC were 42.4%, 32.0% and 34.9%, respectively in 6 weeks and there was no statistically significant difference among groups(p<0.05). In 12 weeks, BIC were 58.8%, 61.9% and 57.5%, respectively and there was no statistically significant difference among groups(p<0.05). It is considered that all 3 implant systems are suitable for immediate implant placement.
Animals ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Marrow ; Dogs* ; Inflammation ; Osseointegration ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: There has been no general agreement in classifying basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and little is known about the immunohistochemical profiles in each subtypes of BCC. BCC is a locally-invasive tumor, but its aggressive forms tend to recur and metastasize. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have compared the histolopathological subtypes of BCC by immunohistochemical study. We also focused on identifying representative markers of growth in the aggressive forms of BCC by assessing VEGF, p53 and alpha-SMA expression. METHODS: A total of 87 BCC specimens were collected at the 7 branch hospitals of The Catholic University of Korea from July 1997 to June 2003. For multiple immunohistochemical staining, a tissue microarray technique was used. The 87 samples were divided into 6 subtypes: 18 nodular, 19 nodular infiltrative, 12 micronodular, 14 infiltrative, 11 morphea and 13 basosquamous. Overall, 18 samples were classified as non-aggressive and the remaining 69 as aggressive. RESULTS: The following results were obtained after immunohistochemical staining with antibodies alpha-SMA, VEGF and p53. A significant increase of alpha-SMA expression was observed in aggressive forms of BCC, whereas the expression of p53, VEGF, the number of mast cells remained the same. The representative markers of tumor growth such as alpha-SMA were most highly expressed in the basosquamous type, and least expressed in the micronodular type compared to the nodular type. CONCLUSION: alpha-SMA was considered as an appropriate immunohistochemical marker in BCC to represent aggressiveness.
Antibodies ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Hospitals, Satellite ; Immunohistochemistry ; Korea ; Mast Cells ; Scleroderma, Localized ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Various functional activities have been reported for the fermented soybean products doenjang (DJ) and cheonggukjang (CGJ), although no systemic investigations of their immune functions have been conducted to date. We examined the effects of an experimental diet of DJ, CGJ, or a mixture of unfermented raw material for 4 weeks on overall immunity and immune safety in mice. No significant alterations were observed in peripheral or splenic immune cells among groups. Enhanced splenic natural killer cell activity was observed in the DJ and CGJ groups compared with the plain diet group. T helper type-1 (Th1)-mediated immune responses were enhanced in the DJ and CGJ groups with an upregulated production ratio of IFN-γ vs. IL-4 and IgG2a vs. IgG1 in stimulated splenic T and B cells, respectively. Resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection was observed in the DJ and CGJ groups. Overall, the results of this study suggest that DJ and CGJ intake consolidates humoral and cellular immunity to Th1 responses.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Diet ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interleukin-4 ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Listeria monocytogenes ; Mice* ; Soybeans*

BACKGROUND: Influenza causes morbidity and mortality, resulting in the medical and socioeconomic costs. We aimed to analyse whether socioeconomic and medical factors may affect influenza vaccination status divided into 2 groups; one aged 19 to 64 years old and the other aged 65 or over who are eligible for free vaccination. METHODS: The study included 1,412 individuals aged 19 and over who responded to influenza vaccination survey, based on 2013 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Related factors were categorized into socioeconomic factors and medical factors. Univariate analyses were conducted to examine the correlations between vaccination rate and each variables. Multivariate analysis was obtained after adjusting variables which were statistcally significant. RESULTS: Influenza vaccination rate was significantly different in the population aged 19 to 64 (24.9%) and the population aged 65 or over (80.5%). In the former population, high vaccination rate was associated with healthcare usage (odds ratio [OR]=1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.03-1.83), underlying chronic diseases (OR=2.21, 95% CI=1.43-3.40), and public assistance recipient households (OR=2.21, 95% CI=1.03-4.78), while low vaccination rate was correlated with no use of medical check up (OR=0.70, 95% CI=0.52-0.94) and heavy alcoholics (OR=0.41, 95% CI=0.24-0.70). In the latter population aged 65 or over, high vaccination rate was associated with healthcare usage (OR=1.82, 95% CI=1.28-2.59), and underlying malignancies (OR=4.79, 95% CI=1.07-21.54), whereas low vaccination rate was associated with public assistance recipient households (OR=0.33, 95% CI=0.14-0.76), and no use of medical check up (OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.19-0.73). CONCLUSIONS: In the population below 65 years old, vaccination rate would be expected to rise by the recommendation of medical care providers and expanding the coverage of free vaccination. In elderly, individualized care for those who have less access to medical care and high susceptibility is highly recommended.
Adult* ; Aged ; Alcoholics ; Chronic Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human* ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys ; Public Assistance ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Vaccination*