Upbeat nystagmus has been described in bilateral lesions of the medulla, the ventral tegmentum, the anterior cerebellar vermis, the adjacent brachium conjunctivum, and the midbrain. Imbalance of the vertical vestibulo- ocular reflex (VOR) favoring the downward VOR activity would therefore result in upbeat nystagmus. We report a patient with transient upbeat nystagmus due to unilateral pontine infarction that may have disrupted bilateral upward VOR pathways running in the ventral tegmental tracts.
Humans ; Infarction* ; Mesencephalon ; Reflex ; Running

Objective: To develop and evaluate the Korean version of a hospital-based transitional rehabilitation program (TRP), using daily living home for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods: In this study, we developed the Korean version of a hospital-based TRP through domestic and overseas surveys and focus group meetings. By applying this to chronic SCI patients, we observed the functional and quality of life (QOL) changes and evaluated the degree of achievement of the core goals set for each patient during hospital-based TRP. Results: Hospital-based TRP, for 21.8±3.9 days on average, was applied to four chronic SCI patients (two patients with long-term hospital stays and two homebound disabled individuals) with an average injury period of 736.8±185.4 days. The Korean version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (49.3±6.9 vs. 62.5±6.0; p<0.05) showed functional improvement at the end of TRP, when compared to that before the TRP. The Korean version of the World Health Organization’s QOL scale, abbreviated version (159.8±36.6 vs. 239.8±36.1; p<0.05), showed improvement in QOL. Goal attainment scaling showed a significant degree of achievement for the core goals through TRP (33.6±4.4 vs. 70.0±2.8; p<0.05). These results confirmed that the effect was maintained 1 month after the end of TRP. Additionally, two patients were successfully discharged after TRP completion, and the other two could start social activities. Conclusion The Korean version of the hospital-based TRP, applied to chronic SCI patients, showed the potential to improve the patients’ functioning and QOL and appeared to be effective in successful discharge and social participation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lotus leaf on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in animal model of diabetes. Inhibitory activity of ethanol extract of lotus leaf against yeast alpha-glucosidase was measured in vitro. The effect of lotus leaf on the postprandial increase in blood glucose levels was assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without lotus leaf extract (500 mg/kg) was administered to the rats after an overnight fast, and postprandial plasma glucose levels were monitored. Four-week-old db/db mice were fed a basal diet or a diet containing 1% lotus leaf extract for 7 weeks after 1 week of acclimation to study the chronic effect of lotus leaf. After sacrifice, plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-CHOL, and blood glycated hemoglobin levels were measured. Lotus leaf extract inhibited alpha-glucosidase activity by 37.9%, which was 1.3 times stronger than inhibition by acarbose at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL in vitro. Oral administration of lotus leaf extract significantly decreased the area under the glucose response curve by 35.1% compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). Chronic feeding of lotus leaf extract significantly lowered plasma glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin compared with those in the control group. Lotus leaf extract significantly reduced plasma TG and total CHOL and elevated HDL-CHOL levels compared with those in the control group. Therefore, we conclude that lotus leaf is effective for controlling hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in an animal model of diabetes mellitus.
Acarbose ; Acclimatization ; Administration, Oral ; alpha-Glucosidases ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Dyslipidemias ; Ethanol ; Glucose ; Hemoglobins ; Hyperglycemia ; Insulin ; Lipoproteins ; Lotus ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Plasma ; Rats ; Starch ; Triglycerides ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an important public health problem as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes have become epidemic. In this study we investigated the protective effect of Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) against NAFLD in an obese mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four-week-old male ob/ob mice were fed an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing 1% C. militaris water extract for 10 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Serum glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA), alanine transaminase (ALT), and proinflammatory cytokines were measured. Hepatic levels of lipids, glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxide were determined. RESULTS: Consumption of C. militaris significantly decreased serum glucose, as well as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), in ob/ob mice. In addition to lowering serum FFA levels, C. militaris also significantly decreased hepatic total lipids and triglyceride contents. Serum ALT activities and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were reduced by C. militaris. Consumption of C. militaris increased hepatic GSH and reduced lipid peroxide levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that C. militaris can exert protective effects against development of NAFLD, partly by reducing inflammatory cytokines and improving hepatic antioxidant status in ob/ob mice.
Alanine Transaminase ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Cordyceps* ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Fatty Liver* ; Glutathione ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-6 ; Male ; Mice* ; Mice, Obese ; Public Health ; Triglycerides ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Water

PURPOSE: Cough and wheezing are the most common respiratory symptoms in children. Recently, the cough-holter monitoring has been used to estimate the frequency and intensity of cough and wheezing, objectively. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the validity of cough-holter monitoring for the objective assessment of cough and wheezing in the hospitalized children with respiratory symptoms. METHODS: Cough-holter monitoring was performed in 59 children who suffered from cough and/or wheezing. We obtained the information on the frequency and intensity of cough and wheezing from the parents, a pediatrician, and cough-holter monitoring. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were taken by parents, and the pediatrician estimated the wheezing score by using a stethoscope. We assessed a relationship between the VAS scores, wheezing score, and cough-holter monitoring data. RESULTS: The frequencies and intensities of cough correlated positively with the VAS scores (r=0.301, P=0.032; and r=0.540, P=0.001, respectively) and the frequencies and intensities of wheezing also correlated positively with the Wheezing scores. (r=0.335, P=0.011; and r=0.457, P=0.001, respectively) The wheezing intensity did not correlate with the Wheezing score in wheezing children. (r=0.321, P=0.089) CONCLUSION: Cough-holter monitoring correlated positively with the VAS scores and the wheezing scores. Cough-holter monitoring appears to be a useful objective assessment tool for the children who have suffered from cough and/or wheezing.
Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Cough ; Humans ; Parents ; Respiratory Sounds ; Stethoscopes

Taste disorder is not rare in patients with acute stroke is not usually evaluated. There is also controversy about central gustatory pathways. We report one case of ipsilateral hemiaguesia induced by a right middle cerebral artery infarction. A right-handed 70-year-old woman presented with headache. She had a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The systemic examination revealed no abnormalities. Neurologic examination revealed left side hemispatial neglect and right side hemiageusia. Brain MRI showed high signal intensity in the right middle cerebral artery territory including the temporal lobe and parietal lobe with sparing insular cortex on T2 and diffusion weighted image (DWI). This case is suggestive of the existence of an uncrossed ascending gustatory pathway, explaining the ipsilateral hemiageusia above the midbrain lesion.
Aged ; Brain ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diffusion ; Dysgeusia ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mesencephalon ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Neurologic Examination ; Parietal Lobe ; Perceptual Disorders ; Stroke ; Taste Disorders ; Temporal Lobe

Dental caries and periodontal disease are considered to be chronic, but can be prevented through an incremental oral health program covering all ages. The National Oral Health Program for adults provides oral health exam and scaling, and is covered by national health insurance for those over 20 years of age in Korea. The aim of this study was to collect basic data for developing an oral health program for adults by identifying factors related to awareness and need. The data were obtained by convenience sampling of 303 subjects. The use of dental plaque disclosing agents affected tooth brushing frequency, toothbrushing time and use of oral auxiliary devices. Education on toothbrushing methods affected toothbrushing time and use of oral auxiliary devices. Of those surveyed, 93.1% replied that an incremental oral health program for adults was needed, and 68.0% intended to participate. In a regression model, the factors that had an effect on the perceived need for an oral health program were education level, use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices, and toothbrushing time, and the factors affecting intent to participate were education for prevention of periodontal disease and the use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices. The subjects stated that the following oral health programs were needed: an oral bacteria exam (74.3%), toothbrushing education (71.6%), a bad breath exam (69.3%), education on use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices (46.9%), a dental plaque exam (42.9%) and a saliva exam (37.6%). Oral health education appears to be an important factor for participation in an incremental oral health program.
Adult* ; Bacteria ; Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Oral Health* ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; Program Development ; Saliva ; Tooth ; Toothbrushing

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a novel marine micro-organism with anticancer properties, H31, the metabolic product of Bacillus SW31, has anti-tumor effects on head and neck cancer, and potential for apoptotic-enhancing anti-cancer treatment of affected patients. METHODS: The cell viability and apoptosis assays were performed. Changes in the signal pathway related to apoptosis were investigated. Then, the therapeutic effects of H31 were explored in mouse xenograft model and drug toxicity of H31 was examined in zebrafish model. RESULTS: We identified the anticancer activity of H31, a novel metabolic product of Bacillus SW31. Bacillus SW31, a new marine micro-organism, has 70% homology with Bacillus firmus and contains potent cytotoxic bioactivity in head and neck cancer cells using MTT assay. Combined with c-JUN, p53, cytochrome C, and caspase-3, H31 induced apoptosis of KB cells, a head and neck cancer cell line. In a separate in vivo model, tumor growth in C3H/HeJ syngeneic mice was suppressed by H31. In addition, in a zebrafish model used for toxicity testing, a considerable dose of H31 did not result in embryo or neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Growth inhibition and apoptosis were achieved both in vitro and in vivo in head and neck cancer cells after exposure to H31, a metabolite from the marine Bacillus species, without any significant toxicity effects even at considerable H31 dose concentrations.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bacillus ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Cytochromes c ; Drug Toxicity ; Embryonic Structures ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; KB Cells ; Marine Toxins ; Mice ; Signal Transduction ; Toxicity Tests ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Zebrafish