Dectin-1 is a major receptor that recognizes fungal cell wall β-glucan. We previously reported that heat-killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae (HKSC), a Dectin-1 agonist, selectively induces IgG1 class switching in mouse B cells. Dectin-1 is also expressed on human B cells; however, Dectin-1 function in human B cells remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the direct effect of in vitro stimulation using HKSC on Ig class switching in human B cells. HKSC selectively induced the expression of germline γ4 transcripts (GLTγ4) by human B cell line 2E2, and HKSC significantly augmented GLTγ4 promoter activity. Moreover, HKSC selectively enhanced GLTγ4 expression and IgG4 production by anti-CD40-activated human tonsillar resting B cells. Thus, these results suggest that Dectin-1 maybe involved in selective IgG4 class switching by human B cells.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes* ; Cell Line ; Cell Wall ; Humans* ; Immunoglobulin Class Switching ; Immunoglobulin G* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae* ; Saccharomyces*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of emergency cesarean section according to the prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain per the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from 2,765 women with singleton full-term births (2009 to 2012) who attempted a vaginal delivery was conducted. Pregnancies with preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, diabetes, planned cesarean section, placenta previa, or cesarean section due to fetal anomalies or intrauterine growth restriction were excluded. Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for emergency cesarean section were calculated after adjusting for prepregnancy BMI or gestational weight gain. RESULTS: Three-hundred and fifty nine (13.0%) women underwent emergency cesarean section. The adjusted OR for overweight, obese, and extremely obese women indicated a significantly increased risk of cesarean delivery. Gestational weight gain by Institute of Medicine guidelines was not associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery. However, inadequate and excessive weight gain in obese women was highly associated with an increased risk of emergency cesarean section, compared to these in normal BMI (OR, 5.56; 95% CI, 1.36 to 22.72; OR, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.05 to 12.54; respectively), while there was no significant difference between normal BMI and obese women with adequate weight gain. CONCLUSION: Obese women should be provided special advice before and during pregnancy for controlling weight and careful consideration should be needed at the time of vaginal delivery to avoid emergency cesarean section.
Body Mass Index* ; Cesarean Section* ; Emergencies* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Institute of Medicine (U.S.)* ; Odds Ratio ; Overweight ; Parturition ; Placenta Previa ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight Gain*

BACKGROUND: Drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) in patients who have not received previous TB treatment (initial drug resistance) is a serious problem for the control of TB. However, prevalence of initial drug resistance among pulmonary TB patients has not been well characterized in Korea, especially in the private sector. We assessed the prevalence of initial drug resistance and evaluated the risk factors for drug resistance in pulmonary TB patients, at a regional tertiary hospital in Cheonan. METHODS: We performed a drug susceptibility test for both first and second line anti-TB drugs in all culture-confirmed pulmonary TB patients who had not received a previous TB treatment at Dankook University Hospital from September 2005 to September 2007. In addition, we evaluated the initial drug resistance pattern and clinical characteristics of patients to evaluate the risk factors for initial drug resistance. We also assessed the influence of the drug susceptibility test results on the treatment regimen. RESULTS: Of the total 156 cases where the drug susceptibility test was performed, resistance to at least one anti-TB drug was found in 21 cases (15.6%) and multidrug resistance, where TB was resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, was found in one case (0.6%). Multivariate logistic regression showed no clinical characteristics were independently associated with initial drug resistance. Of the total 156 patients who underwent the drug susceptibility test, the treatment regimen was changed for 15 patients (9.6%) according to the results of the drug susceptibility test. CONCLUSION: Initial drug resistance is common and the drug susceptibility test is informative for pulmonary TB patients who have not received previous TB treatment.
Drug Resistance ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Prevalence ; Private Sector ; Rifampin ; Risk Factors ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

PURPOSE: Rebamipide is a propionic acid derivative that inhibits superoxide production and removes hydroxyl radicals. This study was performed to investigate the effects of adding rebamipide to semen, in an effort to determine if reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation of the sperm cell membrane as well as an improvement in seminal parameter and fertilizing capacity under oxidative stress was inhibited. MATERIALS AND MTHODS: Semen was collected from 30 normal healthy volunteers by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence. After liquefaction of the semen at room temperature, the prepared sperm was diluted with a sperm wash media to a uniform density of 20x106/ml. The semen was treated with 0.25ml of 0.2mM FeSO4 and 1mM sodium ascorbate for 60 min in the presence of various rebamipide concentrations (0, 10, 30, 100, and 300microM). ROS production, sperm motility, vitality, fertilizing capacity and the level of lipid peroxidation were analyzed by chemiluminescence, computer assisted semen analysis, eosin-nigrosin staining, a hypo-osmotic swelling test and the thiobarbituric acid method, respectively. RESULTS: Rebamipide at 100 and 300microM increased the sperm motility (p<0.05) but did not affect the sperm vitality. The ROS production and lipid peroxidation in the sperms treated with FeSO4/sodium ascorbate were inhibited by rebamipide in a dose-dependent fashion (p<0.05 in each). The total swelling rate of the hypo-osmotic swelling test was also increased by high rebamipide concentrations (100 and 300microM), respectively 49.2 17.9 and 50.8 21.7% (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest rebamipide is an effective free radical scavenger and may be useful as an oral antioxidant in patients with male infertility due to increased ROS generation. However, further study to be possible the clinical use of rebamipide for improve the fertilizing capacity in male infertility is required.
Antioxidants* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Cell Membrane ; Diethylpropion ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans* ; Infertility, Male ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Luminescence ; Male ; Masturbation ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Semen Analysis ; Semen* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Superoxides

PURPOSE: Rebamipide is a propionic acid derivative that inhibits superoxide production and removes hydroxyl radicals. This study was performed to investigate the effects of adding rebamipide to semen, in an effort to determine if reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation of the sperm cell membrane as well as an improvement in seminal parameter and fertilizing capacity under oxidative stress was inhibited. MATERIALS AND MTHODS: Semen was collected from 30 normal healthy volunteers by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence. After liquefaction of the semen at room temperature, the prepared sperm was diluted with a sperm wash media to a uniform density of 20x106/ml. The semen was treated with 0.25ml of 0.2mM FeSO4 and 1mM sodium ascorbate for 60 min in the presence of various rebamipide concentrations (0, 10, 30, 100, and 300microM). ROS production, sperm motility, vitality, fertilizing capacity and the level of lipid peroxidation were analyzed by chemiluminescence, computer assisted semen analysis, eosin-nigrosin staining, a hypo-osmotic swelling test and the thiobarbituric acid method, respectively. RESULTS: Rebamipide at 100 and 300microM increased the sperm motility (p<0.05) but did not affect the sperm vitality. The ROS production and lipid peroxidation in the sperms treated with FeSO4/sodium ascorbate were inhibited by rebamipide in a dose-dependent fashion (p<0.05 in each). The total swelling rate of the hypo-osmotic swelling test was also increased by high rebamipide concentrations (100 and 300microM), respectively 49.2 17.9 and 50.8 21.7% (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest rebamipide is an effective free radical scavenger and may be useful as an oral antioxidant in patients with male infertility due to increased ROS generation. However, further study to be possible the clinical use of rebamipide for improve the fertilizing capacity in male infertility is required.
Antioxidants* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Cell Membrane ; Diethylpropion ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans* ; Infertility, Male ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Luminescence ; Male ; Masturbation ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Semen Analysis ; Semen* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Superoxides

Background Hippophae rhamnoides L.(HL) exerts antioxidant activities against various oxidative stress conditions.In this study,we investigated effects of extract from HL leaves (HLE) on cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG) of aged gerbils.Methods Aged gerbils (24 months) were divided into vehicle (saline)-treated-and HLE-treated-groups.The vehicle and HLE were orally administered with 200 mg/kg once a day for 20 days before sacrifice.Cell proliferation and neurobiast differentiation were examined in the DG using Ki67 and doublecortin (DCX),respectively.We also observed changes in immunoreactivities of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2),brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),and phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (p-GSK-3β) to examine their relation with neurogenesis using immunohistochemistry.Results The administration of HLE significantly increased the number of Ki67-positive cells and DCX-positive neuroblasts with well-developed processes in the SGZ of the DG of the HLE-treated-group.In addition,immunoreactivities of SOD1,SOD2,BDNF,and p-GSK-3β were significantly increased in granule and polymorphic cells of the DG in the HLE-treated-group compared with those in the vehicle-treated-group.Conclusions HLE treatment significantly increased cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation,showing that immunoreactivities of SOD1,SOD2,BDNF,and p-GSK-3β were significantly increased in the DG.These indicate that increased neuroblast differentiation neurogenesis may be closely related to upregulation of SOD1,SOD2,BDNF,and p-GSK-3β in aged gerbils.

Ginsenosides are the major components of ginseng, which is known to modulate blood pressure, metabolism, and immune function, and has been used to treat various diseases. It has been reported that ginseng and several ginsenosides have immunoregulatory effects on the innate and T cell-mediated immune response. However, their effects on the humoral immune response have not been fully explored. The present study examined the direct effects of red ginseng extract (RGE) and ginsenosides on mouse B cell proliferation and on antibody production and the expression of germline transcripts (GLT) by mouse B cells in vitro. RGE slightly reduced B cell proliferation, but increased IgA production by LPS-stimulated B cells. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg1 and 20(S)-Rg3 selectively induced IgA production and expression of GLTalpha transcripts by LPS-stimulated B cells. Collectively, these results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 and 20(S)-Rg3 can drive the differentiation of B cells into IgA-producing cells through the selective induction of GLTalpha expression.
Animals ; Antibody Formation ; B-Lymphocytes* ; Blood Pressure ; Cell Proliferation ; Ginsenosides ; Immunity, Humoral ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Metabolism ; Mice* ; Panax

Hypoxia-ischemia leads to serious neuronal damage in some brain regions and is a strong risk factor for stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of tanshinone I (TsI) derived from Danshen (Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza root extract) against neuronal damage using a mouse model of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. Brain infarction and neuronal damage were examined using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin and eosin histochemistry, and Fluoro-Jade B histofluorescence. Pre-treatment with TsI (10 mg/kg) was associated with a significant reduction in infarct volume 1 day after hypoxia-ischemia was induced. In addition, TsI protected against hypoxia-ischemia-induced neuronal death in the ipsilateral region. Our present findings suggest that TsI has strong potential for neuroprotection against hypoxic-ischemic damage. These results may be used in research into new anti-stroke medications.
Animals ; Brain ; Brain Infarction ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Fluoresceins ; Hematoxylin ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Mice ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Risk Factors ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Stroke ; Tetrazolium Salts

PURPOSE: To compare the astigmatic power of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) obtained from the AcrySof, TECNIS, and iTrace toric calculator in patients with preoperative with-the-rule (WTR) or against-the-rule (ATR) corneal astigmatism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty eyes with cataract and corneal astigmatism greater than 0.75 diopters were enrolled in each group (WTR and ATR). Keratometric values were measured using autokeratometry, an IOLMaster, and an iTrace, which incorporated corneal topography and ray-tracing aberrometry. Based on measured keratometric values, the astigmatic power of each toric IOL was calculated using three toric calculators. RESULTS: Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between six pairwise corneal astigmatism values in both groups. The TECNIS calculator tended to suggest a higher astigmatic power of the toric IOL than the AcrySof calculator. With the higher astigmatism and keratometric values from the IOLMaster, in both groups, calculations from the AcrySof and TECNIS calculators resulted in higher calculated astigmatic powers than those from same calculators with autokeratometry-measured values, demonstrating good agreement. With the higher calculated astigmatic power values, the values from the iTrace toric calculator using keratometric values obtained from iTrace ray tracing wavefront aberrometry or iTrace simulated keratometry showed fair to moderate agreement with those from the other calculator-keratometry pairs in both groups. CONCLUSION: To achieve the best refractive outcome after toric IOL implantation, understanding the differences in keratometric values between instruments and in calculated astigmatic power among toric calculator programs is necessary. Moreover, systemic analysis of each toric calculator in conjunction with postoperative data is required.
Aberrometry ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Astigmatism/physiopathology/surgery ; *Cataract ; Cornea/surgery ; Corneal Topography ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; *Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; *Lenses, Intraocular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification/*methods ; Postoperative Period ; Refraction, Ocular/*physiology ; Visual Acuity/physiology

PURPOSE: Resistant hypertension (HTN) occurs in 15-20% of treated hypertensive patients, and 70-80% of resistant hypertensive patients have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The characteristics of resistant HTN that predispose patients to OSA have not been reported. Therefore, we aimed to determine the clinical, laboratory, and polysomnographic features of resistant HTN that are significantly associated with OSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hypertensive patients (n=475) who underwent portable polysomnography were enrolled. The patients were categorized into controlled (n=410) and resistant HTN (n=65) groups. The risk factors for the occurrence of OSA in controlled and resistant hypertensive patients were compared, and independent risk factors that are associated with OSA were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 475 patients, 359 (75.6%) were diagnosed with OSA. The prevalence of OSA in resistant HTN was 87.7%, which was significantly higher than that in controlled HTN (73.7%). Age, body mass index, neck circumference, waist circumference, and hip circumference were significantly higher in OSA. However, stepwise multivariate analyses revealed that resistant HTN was not an independent risk factor of OSA. CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence and severity of OSA in resistant HTN may be due to the association of risk factors that are common to both conditions.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications/*epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/complications/*epidemiology ; Waist Circumference