BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Compared to other target cells examined for gene therapy, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have the unique advantages including proximity to blood stream and relative abundance in vasculature. With an ultimate goal of developing VSMC-based therapies for cardiovascular disorders, we explored the utility of VSMC as a target cell for ex vivo gene therapy using a set of retroviral vectors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cultured VSMCs were transduced with replication-defective recombinant retroviruses harboring LacZ, nlsLacZ, mVEGF, mGM-CSF or bacterial CAT reporter. The VSMCs were examined for G418-selection, transduction efficiency, the level of transgene expression, and longevity of gene expression. ResultsVSMCs were readily transduced with different kinds of retroviral vectors. The bacterial neo r gene-transduced VSMCs were successfully selected with G418. The G418-selected VSMCs could express the transduced genes at a level comparable to NIH3T3. The level of transgene expression did not appear to be affected by the increasing number of passages. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate an efficient transduction of VSMCs by retroviral vectors in vitro and an sustained expression of retrovirally transduced genes in VSMCs. VSMCs could be one of the ideal target cells for ex vivo cardiovascular gene therapy employing retroviral vector.
Animals ; Cats ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Therapy* ; Longevity ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* ; Retroviridae ; Rivers ; Transgenes ; Zidovudine

No abstract available.
Coma ; Embolism, Air ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is increasing rapidly through the world and is now a major cause of nosocomial infection. The transmission dynamics and factors contributing their dissemination are complex. We conducted a study to investigate clinical characteristics in patients with VRE colonization or infection during recent 5 years. METHODS: 154 cases that had the VRE infection or colonization from January 1, 2000 to April, 2004, were reviewed. We analyzed the risk factors of VRE infection and colonization and also compared various parameters contributing their dissemination between burn and non-burn patients with VRE. RESULTS: Total 212 strains of VRE were isolated from 154 patients. Of 212 strains of VRE, Enterococcus faecium (178 strains, 83.9%) were most common and followed by E. casseliflavus (28 strains, 13.2%), E. faecalis (5 strains, 2.4%) and E. gallinaum (1 strains, 0.5%). The most common place of VRE isolation was in burn intensive care unit (ICU), 95 cases (61.7%); 27 cases (17.5%) in general wards; 17 cases (11.0%) in surgical ICU; 15 cases (9.7%) in medical ICU. Compared with patients with VRE colonization, patients with VRE infection had older age, higher APACHE II scores and high death rate significantly. Then, VRE colonization were more common in burn patients while VRE infection were more common in non-burn patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that VRE infection are not uncommon among hospitalized patients. More strict infection control, close surveillance and judicious use of antibiotics may be warranted to prevent infection and transmission of VRE.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; APACHE ; Burns ; Colon* ; Cross Infection ; Enterococcus faecium ; Hospitals, General* ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Intensive Care Units ; Mortality ; Patients' Rooms ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to find the prevalence and occupational risk factors for major psychiatric disorders among subway drivers in South Korea. METHODS: Of all 998 current subway drivers, 995 participated in this study. The Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI 2.1) was administered by trained interviewers to diagnose psychiatric disorders in all participants. The questions on socio-demographic characteristics and working conditions included some questions related to a person under train (PUT) experience and work-related problems. One-year prevalence and lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder were diagnosed through the interview. The standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) of these three disorders were calculated in the sample of subway drivers using the 2011 Korean National Epidemiologic Survey data as a basis. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to determine the association between work-related factors and the prevalence of the psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: The standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) for a 1-year prevalence of MDD and PTSD among subway drivers were 1.1 (95% CI 0.7-1.7) and 5.6 (95% CI 3.1-8.8), respectively. Conflict with passengers was significantly associated with an increased risk for both MDD and PTSD in 1-year and in lifetime prevalence. Experiencing a sudden stop due to an emergency bell increased the risk of the lifetime prevalence of MDD (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.14-6.97) and PTSD (OR 7.53, 95% CI 1.77-32.02). The risk of PTSD significantly increased among drivers who once experienced a near accident in terms of both the 1-year prevalence (OR 8.81, 95% CI 1.96-39.3) and the lifetime prevalence (OR 6.36, 95% CI 2.40-16.90). CONCLUSIONS: PTSD and panic disorder were more prevalent among subway drivers than in the general population. We found that having a conflict with passengers, a near accident, and a breakdown while driving can be risk factors for psychiatric disorders among subway drivers. Therefore, a prompt and sensitive approach should be introduced for these high risk groups within the subway company.
Depressive Disorder, Major ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Panic Disorder ; Prevalence ; Railroads* ; Risk Factors ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are multi-drug resistant organisms that have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens in recent years. Patients with burn injury are highly vulnerable to VRE infection. We evaluated the colonization and infection rate of VRE among severe burn patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed VRE isolation in a tertiary hospital burn center from January 2000 to December 2003. We analyzed and compared the clinical characteristics of VRE colonized (isolated in rectal swab) and infected patients. We also analyzed the risk factors of mortality in VRE infection group by using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: VRE was isolated from 104 of severe burn patients. Mean percent of total body surface area of 104 patients was 45.43+/-22.15%. The most commonly isolated VRE was Enterococcus faecium (82.6%). The VRE infection rate of VRE colonization group was 19/93 (20.4%). There were no differences in clinical characteristics, underlying conditions, and isolates species between VRE colonization and infection groups. The mortality rate of VRE infection group was 40%. The risk factors for mortality were bacteremia (P=0.001) and mechanical ventilation (P=0.024) in univariate analysis. However, independent risk factor for death was only VRE bacteremia [odd ratio=32.803, 95% confidence interval (2.884, 373.129), P=0.005] in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Significant portion of severe burn patients with VRE colonization could progress to VRE infection. Severe burn patients with VRE bacteremia have higher risk of death than patients without VRE bacteremia.
Bacteremia ; Body Surface Area ; Burn Units ; Burns* ; Colon ; Enterococcus ; Enterococcus faecium ; Humans ; Mortality* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Vancomycin Resistance

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are multi-drug resistant organisms that have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens in recent years. Patients with burn injury are highly vulnerable to VRE infection. We evaluated the colonization and infection rate of VRE among severe burn patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed VRE isolation in a tertiary hospital burn center from January 2000 to December 2003. We analyzed and compared the clinical characteristics of VRE colonized (isolated in rectal swab) and infected patients. We also analyzed the risk factors of mortality in VRE infection group by using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: VRE was isolated from 104 of severe burn patients. Mean percent of total body surface area of 104 patients was 45.43+/-22.15%. The most commonly isolated VRE was Enterococcus faecium (82.6%). The VRE infection rate of VRE colonization group was 19/93 (20.4%). There were no differences in clinical characteristics, underlying conditions, and isolates species between VRE colonization and infection groups. The mortality rate of VRE infection group was 40%. The risk factors for mortality were bacteremia (P=0.001) and mechanical ventilation (P=0.024) in univariate analysis. However, independent risk factor for death was only VRE bacteremia [odd ratio=32.803, 95% confidence interval (2.884, 373.129), P=0.005] in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Significant portion of severe burn patients with VRE colonization could progress to VRE infection. Severe burn patients with VRE bacteremia have higher risk of death than patients without VRE bacteremia.
Bacteremia ; Body Surface Area ; Burn Units ; Burns* ; Colon ; Enterococcus ; Enterococcus faecium ; Humans ; Mortality* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Vancomycin Resistance

Purpose: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia may not be a single disease entity. Early-onset AD (EOAD) and late-onset AD (LOAD) have been united under the same eponym of AD until now, but disentangling the heterogeneity according to the age of sonset has been a major tenet in the field of AD research. Materials and Methods: Ninety-nine patients with AD (EOAD, n=54; LOAD, n=45) and 66 cognitively normal controls completed both [18F]THK5351 and [18F]flutemetamol (FLUTE) positron emission tomography scans along with structural magnetic resonance imaging and detailed neuropsychological tests. Results: EOAD patients had higher THK retention in the precuneus, parietal, and frontal lobe, while LOAD patients had higher THK retention in the medial temporal lobe. Intravoxel correlation analyses revealed that EOAD presented narrower territory of local FLUTE-THK correlation, while LOAD presented broader territory of correlation extending to overall parieto-occipito-temporal regions. EOAD patients had broader brain areas which showed significant negative correlations between cortical thickness and THK retention, whereas in LOAD, only limited brain areas showed significant correlation with THK retention. In EOAD, most of the cognitive test results were correlated with THK retention. However, a few cognitive test results were correlated with THK retention in LOAD. Conclusion LOAD seemed to show gradual increase in tau and amyloid, and those two pathologies have association to each other. On the other hand, in EOAD, tau and amyloid may develop more abruptly and independently. These findings suggest LOAD and EOAD may have different courses of pathomechanism.

Purpose: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia may not be a single disease entity. Early-onset AD (EOAD) and late-onset AD (LOAD) have been united under the same eponym of AD until now, but disentangling the heterogeneity according to the age of sonset has been a major tenet in the field of AD research. Materials and Methods: Ninety-nine patients with AD (EOAD, n=54; LOAD, n=45) and 66 cognitively normal controls completed both [18F]THK5351 and [18F]flutemetamol (FLUTE) positron emission tomography scans along with structural magnetic resonance imaging and detailed neuropsychological tests. Results: EOAD patients had higher THK retention in the precuneus, parietal, and frontal lobe, while LOAD patients had higher THK retention in the medial temporal lobe. Intravoxel correlation analyses revealed that EOAD presented narrower territory of local FLUTE-THK correlation, while LOAD presented broader territory of correlation extending to overall parieto-occipito-temporal regions. EOAD patients had broader brain areas which showed significant negative correlations between cortical thickness and THK retention, whereas in LOAD, only limited brain areas showed significant correlation with THK retention. In EOAD, most of the cognitive test results were correlated with THK retention. However, a few cognitive test results were correlated with THK retention in LOAD. Conclusion LOAD seemed to show gradual increase in tau and amyloid, and those two pathologies have association to each other. On the other hand, in EOAD, tau and amyloid may develop more abruptly and independently. These findings suggest LOAD and EOAD may have different courses of pathomechanism.

Purpose: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia may not be a single disease entity. Early-onset AD (EOAD) and late-onset AD (LOAD) have been united under the same eponym of AD until now, but disentangling the heterogeneity according to the age of sonset has been a major tenet in the field of AD research. Materials and Methods: Ninety-nine patients with AD (EOAD, n=54; LOAD, n=45) and 66 cognitively normal controls completed both [18F]THK5351 and [18F]flutemetamol (FLUTE) positron emission tomography scans along with structural magnetic resonance imaging and detailed neuropsychological tests. Results: EOAD patients had higher THK retention in the precuneus, parietal, and frontal lobe, while LOAD patients had higher THK retention in the medial temporal lobe. Intravoxel correlation analyses revealed that EOAD presented narrower territory of local FLUTE-THK correlation, while LOAD presented broader territory of correlation extending to overall parieto-occipito-temporal regions. EOAD patients had broader brain areas which showed significant negative correlations between cortical thickness and THK retention, whereas in LOAD, only limited brain areas showed significant correlation with THK retention. In EOAD, most of the cognitive test results were correlated with THK retention. However, a few cognitive test results were correlated with THK retention in LOAD. Conclusion LOAD seemed to show gradual increase in tau and amyloid, and those two pathologies have association to each other. On the other hand, in EOAD, tau and amyloid may develop more abruptly and independently. These findings suggest LOAD and EOAD may have different courses of pathomechanism.

Purpose: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia may not be a single disease entity. Early-onset AD (EOAD) and late-onset AD (LOAD) have been united under the same eponym of AD until now, but disentangling the heterogeneity according to the age of sonset has been a major tenet in the field of AD research. Materials and Methods: Ninety-nine patients with AD (EOAD, n=54; LOAD, n=45) and 66 cognitively normal controls completed both [18F]THK5351 and [18F]flutemetamol (FLUTE) positron emission tomography scans along with structural magnetic resonance imaging and detailed neuropsychological tests. Results: EOAD patients had higher THK retention in the precuneus, parietal, and frontal lobe, while LOAD patients had higher THK retention in the medial temporal lobe. Intravoxel correlation analyses revealed that EOAD presented narrower territory of local FLUTE-THK correlation, while LOAD presented broader territory of correlation extending to overall parieto-occipito-temporal regions. EOAD patients had broader brain areas which showed significant negative correlations between cortical thickness and THK retention, whereas in LOAD, only limited brain areas showed significant correlation with THK retention. In EOAD, most of the cognitive test results were correlated with THK retention. However, a few cognitive test results were correlated with THK retention in LOAD. Conclusion LOAD seemed to show gradual increase in tau and amyloid, and those two pathologies have association to each other. On the other hand, in EOAD, tau and amyloid may develop more abruptly and independently. These findings suggest LOAD and EOAD may have different courses of pathomechanism.