No abstract available.
Diagnosis, Differential* ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms*

Respiratory distress syndrome of preterm infants remains a significant cause of morbidyty and mortality. Early, just after birth, prediction and recognition of RDS is so important. The precision and reliability of the stable microbubble test (SMR)and shake test as a predictor of respiratory distress syndrome were studied. A 110-neonate who was born at Chungnam National University Hospital between November 1991 to September 1992was selected randomely and studied. The results were as follows; 1) Among the 110 neonates, 13 cases were noticed as RDS. 2) Among the 13 infants with RDS, SMR results were zero and very weak in 11 cases, weak in 2 cases. Of the 97 infants with Non-RDS, 9 cases were weak, 88cases were medium and strong, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was 100%, 98% respectively. 3) Of the 13 infants with RDS, Shake test result were negative in 8 cases, 1+in 1 case, 2+in 1 case and 4+in 3 case. Of the 97 infants with Non-RDS, 3 cases were negative, 9 cases were 1+, 9cases were 2+ and 63 cases were 4+, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was 72.7%, 9 However, frequent relapses and severe side effects caused by such therapy necessitate development of a more specific and effective therapeutic regimen.Recently, a T cell derived cytokine, interleukin 4 (IL-4)is being recognized as a major cytokine up-regulating IgE production and response, while interferon- (IFN- )counteracts IL-4 actions to down-regulate the IL-4 induced IgE response. Hence, the present study is aimed to investigate the role of IL-4 in MCNS. Using freshly isol 4.9% respectively. We conclude that the rapidity, simplicity and reliability of the stable microbubble test is more useful as a bedside procedure in identifying of predicting the infants who are likely to develop RDS than shake test.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Interleukin-4 ; Microbubbles* ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Recurrence

Different kinds of forces can be applied to the biological tissue. The analysis of the applied force is highly important to explain the mechanism of cellular response. In this study, the applied force to the collagen gel was analyzed by the finite elements analysis. The model received two different kinds of static force (compression and tension). The force range was 50g to 400g. In results, von Mises stress was concentrated in the peripheral region in the compression model. It was concentrated in the central area in the tension model. However, the compressive force was high in the peripheral area of the compression model and the tensional force was also high in the same area of the tension model. In conclusion, the applied force could be different to the region and it should be considered in the experiment to analyze the effects of the mechanical force on the cells.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Collagen ; Finite Element Analysis

Different kinds of forces can be applied to the biological tissue. The analysis of the applied force is highly important to explain the mechanism of cellular response. In this study, the applied force to the collagen gel was analyzed by the finite elements analysis. The model received two different kinds of static force (compression and tension). The force range was 50g to 400g. In results, von Mises stress was concentrated in the peripheral region in the compression model. It was concentrated in the central area in the tension model. However, the compressive force was high in the peripheral area of the compression model and the tensional force was also high in the same area of the tension model. In conclusion, the applied force could be different to the region and it should be considered in the experiment to analyze the effects of the mechanical force on the cells.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Collagen ; Finite Element Analysis

It is well known that renal cell carcinoma shows poor responses upon chemotherapy, and a multidrug-resistance has been suggested as one of the possible mechanisms of their resistances to chemotherapeutics of renal cell carcinoma as well as other malignancies. In our previous study, MDR was expressed relatively high in A-498 cell line, low in Caki-2 cell line. From these observation A-498 was selected as the MDR positive cell line and Caki-2 as the MDR negative cell line and then a study was performed to evaluate the effect of verapamil and cyclosporin A on the cytotoxicity of vinblastine, which are known as the most effective chemotherapeutic agent on human renal cell carcinoma, upon these cell lines. And we tried to evaluate the effect of combination of verapamil and cyclosporin A on the cytotoxicity of vinblastine. Verapamil, in concentration of 0.1 uM, did not enhance the anticancer effect of vinblastine on A-498 cells but with the concentration of 1uM and 10uM, it decreased IC50 of vinblastine from 0.4 ug/ml when only vinblastine was used to 0.05 and 0.08, showing the dose modification effect of 8.40 and 5.25 respectively (p<0.05, by Mann Whitney test) Cyclosporin A, in all the concentration of 0.3, 1, 3uM, also decreased IC of vinblastine on A-498 cells to 0.08, 0.05, 0.08 ug/ml respectively, showing the dose modification effect of 5.25 to 8.40 (p<0.05, by Mann Whiney test). In caki-2 cells in which MDR1 and p-glycoprotein expression were barely detected, verapamil and cyclosporin A did not show any effect upon the cytotoxicity of vinblastine. Combination of 0.3uM of cyclosporin A and 0.1uM or 1uM of verapamil did not resistance modulating agents to enhance the cytotoxicity of vinblastine in renal cell carcinoma with enhanced multidrug resistance, but the combination of these drugs did not show any synergistic effect. And further studies including in vivo study and combination of cyclosporin A are needed before clinical trials to improve chemotherapeutic effect upon renal cell carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Cell Line* ; Cyclosporine* ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Therapy ; Humans* ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; P-Glycoprotein ; Verapamil* ; Vinblastine*

PURPOSE: North Koreans could be at higher risk for their bone health because of previous periods of severe famine and the continuing low availability of food. This study determined the bone mineral density (BMD) status and its relationship with dietary behaviors and nutrient intake of North Korean refugees (NKR) in South Korea (SK). METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed 110 female NKR from a NORNS cohort of a non-probability sample of adult NKR in Seoul. BMD examined by DEXA was used to divide participants into the normal group (NG) and the non-normal group (NNG) according to the WHO guideline. A self-administered questionnaire included questions on age, the socioeconomic situation in North Korea (NK) and SK, the food security in NK and SK, and the health behaviors, dietary behaviors, and food frequency questionnaire administered in SK. A one-day 24-hr recall was conducted and the results were analyzed by using CanPro. SPSS was used to analyze whether BMD and related dietary behaviors and nutrient intakes differed according to the groups. RESULTS: NG (62.7%) was significantly younger and had a lower abdominal obesity score than NNG (p < 0.001). While 14.5% of NG reported experiencing menopause, all of NNG reported experiencing menopause. The NG more frequently consumed the dairy group of foods (9.6 times a week) than did the NNG (4.8 times a week) after the statistics were adjusted for age (p < 0.007). The NG consumed significantly more animal protein and animal calcium than did the NNG (p = 0.01, p = 0.009, respectively). Calcium intake was low with 49.3% of NG, and 78.0% of the NNG reported consuming calcium lower than the estimated average requirement. Only calcium showed an index of nutrient quality lower than one in both groups. CONCLUSION: These results showed that NKR women and possibly all North Korean women are at high risk for bone health and they consumed low levels of bone-related nutrients, and this should be considered for the nutrition policy for NKR and North Korea.
Adult ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Diet ; Female ; Food Supply ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Menopause ; Nutrition Policy ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Refugees ; Seoul ; Starvation

Objective: Capsaicin, the pungent analgesic substance of hot peppers which produces a burning sensation and pain is known to affect Substance P and central opioid activities. This experiment was designed to test the effect of capsaicin on alcohol consumption in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice. These two strains are known to differ in both their alcohol consumption and their endogenous opioid distribution and response to alcohol. It is hypothesized that this effect may be mediated by both increases Substance P and decreases beta-endorphin. Methods: After i.p. administration of 0.01 and 0.001 mg/kg of capsaicin with a vehicle or the vehicle alone as the control for eight days in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice on limited access alcohol model, Capsaicin’s effects on 2-hour alcohol, 22-hours water, 24-hours food intake and body weight were studied. Results: In this study, as expected, C57BL/6 mice drank significantly more alcohol than DBA/2 mice under baseline conditions. Capsaicin at both doses tested significantly reduced baseline alcohol consumption in C57BL/6 but not DBA/2 mice. These effects were selective for alcohol as capsaicin did not disrupt food or water consumption. Conclusion These results demonstrate that capsaicin differentially affects those mechanisms underlying alcohol consumption in two strains of mice known to differ in their preference for and consumption of alcohol. This effect is hypothesized to be related to differences in the response of the endogenous opioid system.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether nitric oxide (NO) could inhibit activation of platelets stored in a cold or frozen state, we measured platelet P-selectin expression and platelet-bound fibrinogen in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) (Sigma, USA) by flow cytometry. METHODS: PRP was prepared by centrifuging venous blood collected in a 3.2% sodium citrate tube from 10 healthy donors. It was aliquotted into 4 groups (no cryoprotectant, GSNO, GSNO/dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] [Sigma], and DMSO), and stored at room, cold and freezing temperatures for 24 hrs. We performed a flow cytometric analysis of all specimens stained with FITC-fibrinogen and PE-CD62P monoclonal antibodies (Becton Dickinson, USA). The results were compared according to the storage temperature and agonist among 4 groups. RESULTS: GSNO inhibited significantly the activation of frozen platelets, but not in the presence of DMSO. GSNO was also shown to preserve the aggregability of frozen platelets because in the presence of GSNO the delta percent change of P-selectin expression and fibrinogen binding of frozen platelets increased significantly irrelevant to DMSO. CONCLUSIONS: GSNO inhibited the activation of frozen platelets and preserved the platelet aggregability; therefore, it may be used as a protectant for platelet cryopreservation.
Adult ; Blood Platelets/*drug effects/metabolism ; Cryopreservation/*methods ; Female ; Fibrinogen/metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Donors/*pharmacology ; P-Selectin/metabolism ; Platelet Aggregation/drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/pharmacology ; S-Nitrosoglutathione/*pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have reported that both preference for spicy food and drinking behavior are associated with the activity of the opioid system in the central nervous system. The relationship between the preference for spicy food and the risk of alcohol dependence by comparing spicy food preference in alcohol-dependent patients vs. healthy controls was investigated. Also the association between the preference for spicy food and OPRM1 A118G was studied. METHODS: A total of 150 Korean male patients with alcohol dependence and 100 normal male control subjects were included in this study. Preference for spicy food was measured using the Food Preference Scale (FPS). DNA analysis was conducted to detect the A118G polymorphism. RESULTS: The mean FPS score was significantly higher in the alcohol-dependent patients (61.2±24.2) than in the normal control subjects (53.0±22.0). FPS scores differed significantly between alcohol-dependent patients and normal control subjects who had the G allele in OPRM1 A118G, but not between the two groups with the AA genotype. CONCLUSION: A strong preference for spicy food can be assumed to be a risk factor for alcohol dependence, particularly in those carrying the G allele in OPRM1 A118G.
Alcoholism* ; Alleles ; Central Nervous System ; DNA ; Drinking Behavior ; Food Preferences* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors

Cholesteatoma of the upper urinary tract is a rare nonmalignant condition histologically characterized by keratinizing desquamative squamous metaplasia (KDSM). Until now about 80 cases including one case from Korea have been reported. Cholesteatoma shows microscopic features of squamous metaplasia of the transitional epithelium and keratinization. These changes with subsequent desquamation of the superficial epithelial layers explain clinical manifestations of the disease. Flank pain, passage of cornified material in the urine and a filling defect on the IVP constitute the characteristic triad. Most cases were managed by extensive ablative surgery for fear of malignant potential. We report a case of renal cholesteatoma which was misdiagnosed as renal stone in 58 year-old female patient who had been suffered from intermittent left flank pain.
Cholesteatoma* ; Epithelium ; Female ; Flank Pain ; Humans ; Korea ; Metaplasia ; Middle Aged ; Urinary Tract