The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic potential of sulfasalazine and prednisolone in a mouse collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model. Twenty-five male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: group 1 (G1): control, group 2 (G2): probe control, group 3 (G3): CAIA, group 4 (G4): CAIA+sulfasalazine (10 mg/kg, oral), and group 5 (G5): CAIA+prednisolone (100 mg/kg, oral). Fluorescence bioimaging was performed in vivo 24 and 48 h after treatment with a fluorescence probe (OsteoSense® 680 EX), and all mice were sacrificed. The hind knee joints were fixed in 10% neutral phosphate-buffered formalin, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histopathological analyses were performed. The paw thickness increased in a time-dependent manner in G3 mice, but trended toward a decrease in both G4 and G5 mice. Fluorescence intensity increased in G3 mice at 24 and 48 h after fluorescence probe treatment, but the fluorescence intensity in G4 and G5 mice was lower than that in G3. Micro-CT analyses showed that the joint surfaces of G3 mice had a rough and irregular articular appearance, but the occurrence of these irregularities was lower in G4 and G5. Hematoxylin and eosin and Safranin O-fast green staining confirmed that destruction of the cartilage and bony structures, synovial hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration all occurred in G3, and that the occurrence of these phenomena was lower in G4 and G5 than in G3. Taken together, these results suggest that sulfasalazine and prednisolone can reduce acute rheumatoid arthritis in mice.
Animals ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cartilage ; Collagen* ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Fluorescence ; Formaldehyde ; Hematoxylin ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Mice* ; Prednisolone ; Sulfasalazine

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mirror therapy containing functional tasks on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in patients with subacute stroke. METHODS: The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the mirror therapy group (30 patients) and the sham therapy group (30 patients). The mirror therapy group underwent a mirror therapy program together with conventional therapy for 20 minutes per day on 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The control group received a sham conventional therapy program under the same schedule as the mirror therapy group. The Fugl-Meyer Motor Function Assessment (FMA), Brunnstrom motor recovery stage, and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were evaluated 4 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: The upper extremity function on the affected side and ability to perform daily life activities after the intervention were significantly improved in both groups. After 4 weeks of intervention, improvements in the FMA (p=0.027) and MBI (p=0.041) were significantly greater in the mirror therapy group than the sham therapy group. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that the mirror therapy containing functional task was effective in terms of improving the upper extremity functions and activities of daily living in patients with subacute stroke.
Activities of Daily Living ; Appointments and Schedules ; Humans ; Stroke ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the smart devices usage-related factors and self-regulation ability development in early childhood. METHODS: Parental questionnaires of 187 children aged 3–6 years were analyzed. The metrics included smart device usage frequency (times/week, scored as uFreq), smart device usage time (hours/day, scored as uTime), parental scale for appropriate smart device usage level (scored as uLevel), the Korean-developmental screening test (K-DST), and the scale for self-regulation ability in young children (scored as SRS, and including four sub-categories: self-appraisal, self-determination, behavior inhibition, and emotionality). The correlations were analyzed by total age group and by each age. RESULTS: In the total age group analysis, uFreq and uTime were negatively correlated with mean SRS (rs =−0.366, −0.330; P < 0.001) and sub-category SRS (rs =−0.186 to −0.370; P < 0.05). Mean uLevel score was positively correlated with mean SRS (rs =0.406; P < 0.001) and most of the mean sub-category SRS (rs =0.174 to 0.362; P < 0.05). In 3-year-old children, the mean SRS was strongly negatively correlated with uFreq (rs =−0.751; P < 0.001), negatively correlated with uTime (rs =−0.518; P < 0.001), and positively correlated with mean uLevel score (rs =0.533; P=0.013). Such correlations seemed to decrease at the age of 4–6 years. CONCLUSION: Self-regulation ability was significantly correlated with smart device-related factors and was the highest in the 3-year-old children. Encouraging appropriate smart device usage will be helpful for self-regulation development of young children.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Parents ; Self-Control* ; Smartphone

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CT and MR virtual colonoscopy using an experimental model of colonic polyposis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven pig colons ranging from 15 to 20cm in length were cleansed and a total of 99 variable sized polyps ranging from 3 to 15mm in diameter were created. The polyps were divided into three groups according to size: <5mm(n=23), 5-9mm(n=44), and ?10mm(n=32) in diameter. Each specimen was scanned using spiral CT and MRI. Each CT and MR virtual colonoscopy was independently evaluated by two radiologists blinded to the location, size and numbers of polyps, but aware that polyps were present. Interobserver agreement regarding the detection rate of the polyps during the two types of virtual colonoscopy was measured and the diagnostic accuracy of CT and MR virtual colonoscopy was compared. Results: In both CT and MR virtual colonoscopy, the detection rates determined by the two radiologists coincided in all three groups(p<0.05). The detection rates of polyps less than 5mm, between 5 and 9mm, and 10mm or larger in diameter were 74%(17/23), 89%(39/44), and 100%(32/32), respectively, in CT colonoscopy, and 61%(14/23), 89%(39/44), and 100%(32/32), respectively in MR colonoscopy. In polyps 5mm or larger, the results of the two types of virtual colonscopy coincided but in those less than 5mm in diameter, the results of MR virtual colonoscopy were slightly inferior to those of CT colonoscopy. Conclusion: Both CT and MR virtual colonoscopy provide high detection rates of colonic polyps 5mm or larger in diameter and these techniques can therefore be used to diagnose colonic mass lesions.
Colon ; Colonic Polyps ; Colonography, Computed Tomographic* ; Colonoscopy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Models, Theoretical ; Polyps* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CT and MR virtual colonoscopy using an experimental model of colonic polyposis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven pig colons ranging from 15 to 20cm in length were cleansed and a total of 99 variable sized polyps ranging from 3 to 15mm in diameter were created. The polyps were divided into three groups according to size: <5mm(n=23), 5-9mm(n=44), and ?10mm(n=32) in diameter. Each specimen was scanned using spiral CT and MRI. Each CT and MR virtual colonoscopy was independently evaluated by two radiologists blinded to the location, size and numbers of polyps, but aware that polyps were present. Interobserver agreement regarding the detection rate of the polyps during the two types of virtual colonoscopy was measured and the diagnostic accuracy of CT and MR virtual colonoscopy was compared. Results: In both CT and MR virtual colonoscopy, the detection rates determined by the two radiologists coincided in all three groups(p<0.05). The detection rates of polyps less than 5mm, between 5 and 9mm, and 10mm or larger in diameter were 74%(17/23), 89%(39/44), and 100%(32/32), respectively, in CT colonoscopy, and 61%(14/23), 89%(39/44), and 100%(32/32), respectively in MR colonoscopy. In polyps 5mm or larger, the results of the two types of virtual colonscopy coincided but in those less than 5mm in diameter, the results of MR virtual colonoscopy were slightly inferior to those of CT colonoscopy. Conclusion: Both CT and MR virtual colonoscopy provide high detection rates of colonic polyps 5mm or larger in diameter and these techniques can therefore be used to diagnose colonic mass lesions.
Colon ; Colonic Polyps ; Colonography, Computed Tomographic* ; Colonoscopy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Models, Theoretical ; Polyps* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been shown significant oncological improvements in several cancers.However, ICIs are still in their infancy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), tumorinfiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been known as prognostic factors in HCC. Therefore, we have focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms between each marker to evaluate a predictive role. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples were obtained from 166 patients with HCC who underwent surgery. The expression of PD-L1 and TILs and EMT marker were evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The multivariate analysis showed that TIL expression (hazard ratio [HR], 0.483; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.269–0.866; P = 0.015) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. The prognostic factors for disease-free survival were EMT marker expression (HR, 1.565; 95% CI, 1.019–2.403; P = 0.005). Patients with high expression of TILs had significantly better survival compared to patients with low expression (P = 0.023). Patients who were TIL+/EMT– showed a significantly better prognosis than those who were TIL–/EMT+ (P = 0.049). Conclusion This study demonstrates that PD-L1 expression of TILs is closely associated with EMT marker expression in HCC. Clinical investigations using anti–PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with EMT-associated PD-L1 upregulation are warranted.

PURPOSE: This report attempts to reveal the incidence and prevalence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and compare the severity according to preceding causes of BPD in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHOD: Retrospective study was done on 293 VLBW infants who were born and admitted to neonatal intensive care unit in Samsung medical center between October, 1995 and December, 2001. Classical BPD was defined as oxygen dependency at 36 week's postmenstrual age (PMA). Ogawa BPD was defined as oxygen dependency at 28 days after birth, with respiratory distress symptoms and the change on chest X-ray finding. This classification further classified as BPD into 5 subtypes by the presence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), pathologic chorioamnionitis and the type of chest X-ray finding. BPD by Jobe and Bancalari was defined as oxygen dependency at 28 days after birth and classified as 3 subtypes (severe, moderate, mild) by the severity of oxygen dependency. Comparisons were made among classifications. RESULTS: Classical BPD infants were 56 (19.1%), Ogawa BPD infants were 76 (25.9 %), BPD by Jobe and Bancalari infants were 124 (42.3%). In Ogawa classification, Infants with RDS and the change on chest X-ray were 58 infants (76.4%). There was no statistical difference of mortality between each type of Ogawa BPD. In classification by Jobe and Bancalari, 35 infants (28.2%) belonged to severe BPD and 75 infants (60.5%) belonged to mild BPD. The mortality was highest in severe BPD infants but there was no statistical difference after correction by birth weight. There was no statistical correlation between Ogawa classification and classification by Jobe and Bancalari. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical difference in mortality or severity between each subtype of classifications according to the severity or preceding cause of BPD in very low birth weight infants.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia* ; Chorioamnionitis ; Classification ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Mortality ; Oxygen ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax

One of the authors' names was misprinted.

Korl:ICR mice, established by the Korean National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS), are characterized based on their genetic variation, response to gastric injury, and response to constipation inducers. To compare the inhibitory responses of ICR stocks obtained from three different sources to the anticancer drug cisplatin (Cis), alterations in tumor volume, histopathological structure, and toxicity were examined in Sarcoma 180 tumor-bearing Korl:ICR, A:ICR (USA source), and B:ICR (Japan source) mice treated with low and high concentrations of Cis (L-Cis and H-Cis, respectively). Tumor size and volume were lower in H-Cis-treated mice than in L-Cis-treated mice in all three ICR stocks with no significant differences among stocks. There was a significant enhancement of the necrotizing areas in the histological structures in the L-Cis- and H-Cis-treated groups relative to that in the untreated group. The necrotizing area changes were similar in the Sarcoma 180 tumor-bearing Korl:ICR, A:ICR, and B:ICR mice. However, there were stock-bases differences in the serum biomarkers for liver and kidney toxic effects. In particular, the levels of AST, ALT and BUN increased differently in the three H-Cis-treated ICR stocks, whereas the levels of ALP and CRE were constant. Taken together, the results of the present study indicate that Korl:ICR, A:ICR, and B:ICR mice have similar overall inhibitory responses following Cis treatment of Sarcoma 180-derived solid tumors, although there were some differences in the magnitude of the toxic effects in the three ICR stocks.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Cisplatin ; Constipation ; Genetic Variation ; Kidney ; Liver ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR* ; Sarcoma ; Sarcoma 180 ; Tumor Burden

C57BL/6N is the most widely used inbred mouse strain applied in a wide variety of research areas including cancer, cardiovascular biology, developmental biology, diabetes and obesity, genetics, immunology, neurobiology, and sensorineural research. To compare the fertilization rates of C57BL/6NKorl mice with two commercial C57BL/6N stocks, differences in reproductive organ structures, sperm and egg numbers, fertilization rates, and embryo development rates among C57BL/6NKorl (Korea FDA source), C57BL/6NA (USA source), and C57BL/6NB (Japan source) mice were determined. Among the stocks, no significant differences were detected in organ weight and histological structure of male and female reproductive organs, although body weight was higher in C57BL/6NKorl mice than that in the other groups. The concentration and morphology of sperm and eggs in C57BL/6NKorl mice were similar to those of C57BL/6NA and C57BL/6NB mice. Furthermore, the three stocks had similar in vitro fertilization and embryo development rates, although these rates tended to be higher in C57BL/6NB mice. Pup body weight was higher in C57BL/6NKorl and C57BL/6NB mice than that in C57BL/6NA mice. The results of the present study suggest that C57BL/6NKorl, C57BL/6NA, and C57BL/6NB mice obtained from three different sources have similar fertilization and embryo development rates, although there were slight differences in the magnitude of their responses rates.
Allergy and Immunology ; Animals ; Biology ; Body Weight ; Developmental Biology ; Eggs ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Fertilization* ; Genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Neurobiology ; Obesity ; Organ Size ; Ovum ; Pregnancy ; Spermatozoa