OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is typically characterized by induced inflammatory pain in joints. Recent studies have reported on the expression of pain receptors such as transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and acid sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3), which are related to pain induction and regulation. This study was conducted to investigate the expression of TRPV1 and ASIC3 in response to the analgesic effect of an arthritis treatment in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: Mice were divided into 3 groups: Control, CIA, and CIA with arthritis treatment. Mice received intraperitoneal injection with 10 mg/kg infliximab and 10 mg/kg meloxicam five times per week for 3 weeks. Mechanical hyperalgesia, histologic examination of the feet, serum levels of inflammatory cytokine such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-17 (IL-17), TRPV1 and ASIC3 expression were investigated. RESULTS: The serum levels of IL-6 and IL-17 were lower in the treatment group (73.77+/-10.11 pg/mL and 26.75+/-7.17 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the CIA group (p<0.001). Histological analysis showed decreased synovial cell proliferation, leukocyte infiltration, and cartilage destruction in the treatment group compared with the CIA group. The CIA group that underwent arthritis treatment showed a significantly increased withdrawal threshold of mechanical nociception on the hind paw and increased expression of TRPV1 and ASIC3 compared to the CIA group. CONCLUSION: Arthritis treatment resulted in an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect through upregulation of the activity of TRPV1 and ASIC3 in CIA mice.
Animals ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Cartilage ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen* ; Foot ; Hyperalgesia ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-6 ; Ion Channels ; Joints ; Leukocytes ; Mice ; Nociception ; Nociceptors* ; Up-Regulation ; Infliximab

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to understand the lived experience of illness among older females with cancer in South Korea. Methods: Data were collected from May to December of 2019 through individual in-depth interviews with eight older females with cancer who have undergone thorough cancer diagnosis and treatments. Transcribed data were analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenological method developed by van Manen. Results: Six essential themes emerged: old body physically devastated through the fight against cancer; tug of war for symbiosis between cancer and the old body; home that does not provide comfort anymore; twilight years with no regrets even with cancer; womanhood to keep for a lifetime even in old age; and putting pieces together of the relationships around oneself. Conclusion Based on the participants’ illness experience, efforts need to be made to develop and implement effective strategies to improve nurses’ understanding of the life experiences of illness among older females with cancer in the Korean socio-cultural context, and to provide patient and family-centered nursing interventions that reflect patients’ age and gender characteristics.

Background: Epidemiological data are crucial in designing policies for the control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. There is a lack of data on the epidemiology of HIV in Korean correctional facilities such as jails and prisons. Methods: Clinical characteristics of the study population were collected through a medical record review. Results: The number of people with HIV infection were 83 and the HIV infection prevalence in correctional facilities of Korea was 0.15%. Among them, 10 (12.0%) were diagnosed with the infection when they were incarcerated. The number of drug users was 38 (45.8%).Syphilis-HIV coinfection was observed in 21 (25.3%) patients. Individuals from the group comprising the drug users were more likely to belong to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community, and had a higher incidence of psychological disorders (31.6% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.029; 50.0% vs. 28.9%, P = 0.049, respectively). Conclusion Inmates of correctional facilities showed a five times higher prevalence of HIV infection in Korea, nearly half of whom were drug users.

Background: Epidemiological data are crucial in designing policies for the control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. There is a lack of data on the epidemiology of HIV in Korean correctional facilities such as jails and prisons. Methods: Clinical characteristics of the study population were collected through a medical record review. Results: The number of people with HIV infection were 83 and the HIV infection prevalence in correctional facilities of Korea was 0.15%. Among them, 10 (12.0%) were diagnosed with the infection when they were incarcerated. The number of drug users was 38 (45.8%).Syphilis-HIV coinfection was observed in 21 (25.3%) patients. Individuals from the group comprising the drug users were more likely to belong to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community, and had a higher incidence of psychological disorders (31.6% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.029; 50.0% vs. 28.9%, P = 0.049, respectively). Conclusion Inmates of correctional facilities showed a five times higher prevalence of HIV infection in Korea, nearly half of whom were drug users.

No abstract available.
Heparin ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Thrombocytopenia

In recent years, as the aging population grows, aging-induced cognitive impairments including dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have become the biggest challenges for global public health and social care. Therefore, the development of potential therapeutic drugs for aging-associated cognitive impairment is essential. Metabolic dysregulation has been considered to be a key factor that affects aging and dementia. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a primary sensor of cellular energy states and regulates cellular energy metabolism. Metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride) is a well-known AMPK activator and has been widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Since the incidence of T2DM and dementia increases with aging, metformin has been considered to be one of the most promising drugs to target dementia and its related disorders. To that end, here, we tested the efficacy of metformin and HL271, a novel metformin derivative, in aging-induced cognitive decline. Water (control), metformin (100 mg/kg) or HL271 (50 mg/kg) were orally administered to aged mice for two months; then, the mice were subjected to behavioral tests to measure their cognitive function, particularly their contextual, spatial and working memory. AMPK phosphorylation was also measured in the drug-treated mouse brains. Our results show that oral treatment with HL271 (50 mg/kg) but not metformin (100 mg/kg) improved cognitive decline in aged mice. AMPK activation was correlated with behavior recovery after aging-induced cognitive decline. Taken together, these results suggest that the newly synthesized AMPK activator, HL271, could be a potential therapeutic agent to treat age-related cognitive decline.
Adenosine Monophosphate ; Aging ; Alzheimer Disease ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; Animals ; Behavior Rating Scale ; Brain ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; Dementia ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Energy Metabolism ; Incidence ; Memory, Short-Term ; Metformin ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinases ; Public Health ; Water

BACKGROUND: Statistical data of undiagnosed people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are of great importance to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection control. This study estimated the total number of PLHIV using nationwide claims data.METHODS: This study used data of the incident HIV cases identified by the National Health Insurance System between 2009 and 2015. The number of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was identified by diagnoses or prescription records. The estimated number of PLHIV and the time to diagnosis were calculated from the incident numbers of HIV and AIDS cases using the HIV Modeling Tool of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2015, a total of 7,033 PLHIV and 2,899 AIDS patients were diagnosed. In 2009, the number of incident HIV cases was 873 (460 AIDS patients), increasing to 995 (337 AIDS patients) in 2015. Besides, the estimated number of prevalent cases was 10,753 in 2009, compared to 14,880 in 2015. Patients visiting health facilities accounted for 42.9% (4,616/10,753) in 2009 and 64.1% (9,544/14,880) in 2015. In 2009, there were 8,363 (77.8%) undiagnosed HIV cases, experiencing a decline to 6,215 (41.8%) in 2015. It took a mean of 6.96 years to diagnose after HIV infection.CONCLUSION: This study estimates the total burden of HIV infection in Korea for the first time using an internationally recognized HIV modeling tool. Claims data can be used to estimate the number of undiagnosed cases by identifying the total number of PLHIV and AIDS patients visiting health facilities.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Diagnosis ; Health Facilities ; HIV Infections ; HIV ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Prescriptions

BACKGROUND: Statistical data of undiagnosed people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are of great importance to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection control. This study estimated the total number of PLHIV using nationwide claims data. METHODS: This study used data of the incident HIV cases identified by the National Health Insurance System between 2009 and 2015. The number of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was identified by diagnoses or prescription records. The estimated number of PLHIV and the time to diagnosis were calculated from the incident numbers of HIV and AIDS cases using the HIV Modeling Tool of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2015, a total of 7,033 PLHIV and 2,899 AIDS patients were diagnosed. In 2009, the number of incident HIV cases was 873 (460 AIDS patients), increasing to 995 (337 AIDS patients) in 2015. Besides, the estimated number of prevalent cases was 10,753 in 2009, compared to 14,880 in 2015. Patients visiting health facilities accounted for 42.9% (4,616/10,753) in 2009 and 64.1% (9,544/14,880) in 2015. In 2009, there were 8,363 (77.8%) undiagnosed HIV cases, experiencing a decline to 6,215 (41.8%) in 2015. It took a mean of 6.96 years to diagnose after HIV infection. CONCLUSION This study estimates the total burden of HIV infection in Korea for the first time using an internationally recognized HIV modeling tool. Claims data can be used to estimate the number of undiagnosed cases by identifying the total number of PLHIV and AIDS patients visiting health facilities.

Thrombocytopenia is one of the rare signs of both the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19 vaccination. An 85-year-old man was diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia and COVID-19, 7 days after COVID-19 vaccination. The patient was successfully treated with a short course of intravenous immunoglobulin and oral corticosteroids.

The role of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in the pathogenesis of asthma is still unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AM in the murine model of asthma. AMs were selectively depleted by liposomes containing clodronate just before allergen challenges, and changes in inflammatory cells and cytokine concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were measured. AMs were then adoptively transferred to AM-depleted sensitized mice and changes were measured. Phenotypic changes in AMs were evaluated after in vitro allergen stimulation. AM-depletion after sensitization significantly increased the number of eosinophils and lymphocytes and the concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and GM-CSF in BAL fluid. These changes were significantly ameliorated only by adoptive transfer of unsensitized AMs, not by sensitized AMs. In addition, in vitro allergen stimulation of AMs resulted in their gaining the ability to produce inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and losing the ability to suppress GM-CSF concentrations in BAL fluid. These findings suggested that AMs worked probably through GM-CSF-dependent mechanisms, although further confirmatory experiments are needed. Our results indicate that the role of AMs in the context of airway inflammation should be re-examined.
Animals ; Asthma/*immunology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/chemistry/cytology/immunology ; Cytokines/biosynthesis/immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Immunization ; Immunomodulation/*immunology ; Inflammation/*immunology ; Leukocytes/immunology ; Macrophages, Alveolar/*immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Ovalbumin/immunology