Objective: To examine the effects of Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) extract on the modulation of calcium channels to evaluate its use in topical agents for treatment of atopic dermatitis. Methods: The 70% methanol extract of T. terrestris was prepared. Human HEK293T cells with over-expressed calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1 (Orai1), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, or transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) were treated with T. terrestris extract. Modulation of ion channels was measured using a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results: T. terrestris extract (100 mg/mL) significantly inhibited Orai1 activity in Orai1-stromal interaction molecule 1 co-overexpressed HEK293T cells. In addition, T. terrestris extract significantly increased the TRPV3 activity compared with 2-Aminoethyl diphe-nylborinate (100 mmol/L), which induces the full activation of TRPV3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that T. terrestris extract may have a therapeutic po-tential for recovery of abnormal skin barrier pathologies in atopic dermatitis through modulating the activities of calcium ion channels, Orai1 and TRPV3. This is the first study to report the modulatory effect of a medicinal plant on the function of ion channels in skin barrier.

Purpose: We evaluated, retrospectively, twenty hips that had undergone revision surgeries because of massive pelvic osteolysis in order to determine the retention rate of acetabular metal shells and polyethylene liner exchanges.. Materials and Methods: We performed liner exchanges for massive osteolysis around stable HG acetabular cups with severe polyethylene wear in twenty-three hips, between June 1996 and May 2003. Clinical and radiological follow-up was available for 20 hips for more than 2 years. In 18 hips, we performed curettage of the granulomatous tissue and tightly packed morselized cancellous allografts into the screw holes or the peripheral rims for the acetabular osteolytic lesions. The mean follow-up period was 3.8 years (range, 2.4 to 9.3 years) and the mean of time from the primary total hip arthroplasties to the component exchanges, was 8.2 years (range, 5.6 to 12.4 years). Results: During the follow-up period, all of the hips were functioning well, and none required any subsequent repeat surgeries. Dislocations occurred three times after the repeat operations in one hip, which was treated successfully with an abduction brace. None of the hips demonstrated a progression of the pre-existing osteolytic lesions or the development of any new osteolytic lesions. At the final follow-up, none of the acetabular components demonstrated any evidence of loosening. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that isolated liner exchanges and debridement of the granulomatous tissue, with or without bone grafting, can be an effective alternative solution to revision of the cup for massive osteolysis around well-fixed, cementless, acetabular cups in selected patients. Retention of the pre-existing cementless acetabular cup provides less intra-operative and post-operative morbidity. However, in order to determine the longevity of the retained cementless acetabular cups, further long-term studies are necessary.
Acetabulum* ; Allografts ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bone Transplantation ; Braces ; Curettage ; Debridement ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Longevity ; Osteolysis* ; Osteolysis, Essential ; Polyethylene ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants*

BACKGROUND: A fully automated enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) analyzer, Enzymun System, ES-300 (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany) uses streptavidin technology and performs single test or panels of up to 12 tests per run. We evaluated the results of ES-300 for anti-HCV by comparing the results with microplate-EIA, radioimmunoassay (RIA), and confirmatory test. METHODS: Total 79 sera (51 positive, 24 negative, 4 indeterminate results confirmed by Lucky HCD Confirm) were analysed. ES-300 with Enzymun-Test(R) Anti-HCV (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany) and microplate-EIA (Green Cross Center Innotest HCV 3.0(R)) were used. Fifty one sera were examined additionally by 2nd-generation RIA method, NANBDINE 125C(General Biologicals Corp., R.O.C.). And all results were compared to the results of Lucky HCD Confirm. RESULTS: The overall concordance rate of ES-300 and Innotest(R) was 72/79 (91.1%). The results of Lucky HCD Confirm on seven discrepant samples were five negative and two indeterminate. The results of ES-300 and NANBDINE 125C showed concordance rate of 90.2%. The sensitivity and specificity of ES-300 with regard to Lucky HCD Confirm were 94.5%, and 87.5%, respectively, and that of Innotest(R) were 98.2% and 66.7%, respectively. Clear distinction of positive and negative results by signal/cut off ratio was available in both EIAs. The positive predictive values of ES-300 and Innotest(R) were 94.5%, and 87.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ES-300 showed relatively good results in sensitivity and positive predictive value with regard to confirmatory test. In EIA-positive persons, however, follow-up study would be necessary for reliable evaluation of HCV infection.
Humans ; Radioimmunoassay ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Streptavidin

A clinical observation was made on 46 cases of renal tuberculosis who were admitted to the Department of Urology, Eul Ji General Hospital, Seoul, Korea, during the period from January 1978 to December 1982. Following results were obtained. 1. The most common symptoms were urinary frequency (47.8%), gross hematuria (43.5%) flank pain (32.6%) and dysuria (21.7%). 2. Tubercle bacilli were demonstrated in 37% of patients by Ziehl-Neelson staining. The most common findings of urine were hematuria (73.9%), Pyuria (54.4%) and proteinuria (32.6%). 3. Excretory urographic findings in 46 cases of renal tuberculosis were non visualization (45.7%), calyectasis (28.3%), delayed visualization (15.2%), ureteral deformity (10.9%). 4. The most common finding of cystoscopy was hemorrhagic patches (44.4%), followed by sealed off ureteral orifice (s) in 30.6%, ulceration and tubercle formation in 25.0%. 5. Patients were managed by chemotherapy only in 47.8%, chemotherapy with nephrectomy in 43.5%, chemotherapy with reconstructive surgery in 8.7%.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Cystoscopy ; Drug Therapy ; Dysuria ; Flank Pain ; Hematuria ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Korea ; Nephrectomy ; Proteinuria ; Pyuria ; Seoul ; Tuberculosis, Renal* ; Ulcer ; Ureter ; Urology

There are several methods for the reconstruction of partial urethral defect, including split-thickness skin graft, full-thickness skin graft, and preputial flap and free flap. Despite partial success using these methods, most results are unsatisfactory due to frequent complications such as postoperative infection, fistula formation, hair growth and stricture. There have been several pioneering experiments in this field using autogenous vein graft and the results have been controversial. However, the fact that the endothelial lining is replaced by natural urethral epithlium is generally accepted as a positive effect of this method. This experiment was designed to identify the possibility of using vein graft for the reconstruction of partial urethral defect. Two different types of vein graft method were performed in a total of 20 New Zealand White rabbits with partial urethral defect. Firth, for the patch-graft group, a 1 x 1 cm rectangular vein graft was sutured at a defective area of the same size. Second, for the tubed-graft group, a vein graft segment 1 cm long was replaced at a segmental urethral defect of the same length. Histologic study was performed at three and eight weeks postoperatively in each group. The process of transitional ell epithelial replacement within the grafted vein was uniformly observed in both experimental groups at three weeks postoperatively. At eight weeks postoperatively, the epithelial replacement was almost complete and histologically undistinguishable. In the retrograde urethrogram performed after 8 weeks, the urinary flow in the patch-graft group was normal and showed no stricture, and two of five rabbits in the tubed-graft group showed partial stricture at the graft site. In conclusion, natural urethral epithelium was restored in grafted venous segments irrespective of the type of graft. Partial stricture was observed in 40% of the tubed-graft group while complete reconstruction was possible in the patch-graft group.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Epithelium ; Fistula ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Hair ; Rabbits ; Skin ; Transplants* ; Veins*

A clinical observation was made on 412 cases of diabetes mellitus who were admitted to Eul Ji General Hospital, Seoul, Korea, during the period from January 1980 to June 1983 with regard to urogenital compilations. The results were as follows: 1. The incidence rate of urogenital complications among 412 cases of D.M. was found in 21.1% (87 cases). 2. Concerning the frequency of genitourinary complications (87 cases) in each disease, urinary infection was found in 70 cases (80.5%), nephrotic syndrome in 7cases (8%), Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome in 5 cases (5.8%), neurogenic bladder in 3 cases (3.4%). 3. The most .frequent age distribution of urogenital complications of D.M. showed more than 50 years of age with 75% (65 cases). 4. The longer the duration of the diabetes was, the higher the incidence rate of urogenital complications. 5. Complications of D.M. except genitourinary tract were hypertension; 18.5%, pulmonary T.B.; 11.9%, retinopathy 10.4%, respiratory infection; 6.1%, neuropathy; 5.8%.
Age Distribution ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Hospitals, General ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Seoul ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of structured self-debriefing using 3S models on the clinical competency, self-efficacy, and educational satisfaction in nursing students after simulation. METHODS: For this study, 76 third-year undergraduate nursing students from S university were invited. They were divided into two groups, which consisted of a self-debriefing (SDG=41) group and an instructor-led debriefing group (ILDG=35). Collected data was analyzed using Chi-square, t-test, and an independent t-test with the PASW statistics 18.0 for Windows Program. RESULTS: Clinical competency was generally high in the SDG, and statistically significant differences between the SDG and the ILDG occurred after simulations 3, 4, and 5. There were no statistically significant differences in self-efficacy and educational satisfaction between the SDG and the ILDG. However, educational satisfaction in the SDG was slightly higher, while self-efficacy was low compared to the ILDG. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the method of structured self-debriefing using a 3S model can be effective in improving clinical competency. Further studies need to be investigated.
Humans ; Nursing* ; Patient Simulation ; Students, Nursing*

No abstract available.
Erythroblastosis, Fetal* ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in child and adolescent outpatients at a university hospital in Daegu from 2004 to 2013. METHODS: The subjects were first-visit patients under 18 years old, who visited Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University, from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013. Computerized medical records of 2,738 patients (male 1,906, female 832) were reviewed. RESULTS: The ratio of male to female was 2.3 : 1 in the period of study. The most prevalent age category was 7-9 years. The mean age was 10.12+/-4.68 years (9.84+/-4.59 years in males, 10.76+/-4.81 years in females). The ratio of child and adolescent patients to total outpatients was 27.0%. The most common diagnostic category was the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) group, followed by the mental retardation (MR) group. In males, the ADHD, MR, communication disorder groups were more prevalent, but in females, the MR, ADHD, depressive disorder groups were more prevalent. CONCLUSION: The female to male ratio and total mean age were on the rise. The ADHD group was the most prevalent and the depressive disorder group was also on the rise in this period.
Adolescent* ; Child* ; Communication Disorders ; Daegu ; Depressive Disorder ; Female ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Male ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; Outpatients*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictable factors for why initial intravenous immune globulin(IVIG) therapy failed and the outcome of coronary lesions after additional IVIG retreated in initial IVIG-resistant Kawasaki disease(KD). METHODS: Retrospective studies were performed on 284 cases of KD treated with one episode of high-dose IVIG and 63 cases with additional IVIG retreatment at this hospital from January 2000 to June 2003. 2D echocardiogram was done at admission, two months later and every two or three months when coronary lesion had improved more than two months later. RESULTS: In 69(24.3%) of 284 cases with post-first course of IVIG therapy, 19(43.2%) of 63 cases with additional IVIG retreatment, coronary abnormality had been shown by initial 2D-echocardiogram examined at acute stage. In five(1.8%) of 284 patients with post-first course of IVIG therapy, and in three(4.8%) of 63 cases with additional IVIG retreatment, coronary lesions still remained at follow-up echocardiogram. Even though there was a tendency of increased coronary lesions in the group with additional IVIG retreatment, there was no significant differences in the incidence of coronary lesions between the two groups. There were no significant differences in age, sex, and other clinical findings between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with high doses of IVIG and aspirin is generally effective as a standard treatment for KD but not always. Coronary lesion did not increased despite additional IVIG therapy for initial IVIG-resistant KD. There was no predictable factor for initial IVIG-resistant KD.
Aspirin ; Coronary Vessels* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins* ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Incidence ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies