Background: As a laboratory animal resource, the ICR mouse is commonly used in a variety of research fields. However, information on differences in exercise-related characteristics in ICR mice derived from different lineages and the underlying mechanisms remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the intrinsic exercise capacity and a magnitude of response to acute exercise, and sought to identify mechanisms contributing to difference in Korl:ICR (a novel ICR lineage recently established by the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Korea) and two commercialized ICR lineages derived from different origins (viz., A:ICR mouse from Orient Bio Com, the United States, and B:ICR mouse from Japan SLC Inc., Japan). Results: Results showed that despite no significant difference in body weight and weight-proportioned tissue mass of heart and skeletal muscles among groups, the relatively low intrinsic exercise capacity and exaggerated response to acute exercise were identified in B:ICR comparted with Korl:ICR and A:ICR, as reflected by total work and lactate threshold (LT). Also, the mitochondrial efficiency expressed as the complex 1 and complex 1 + 2 respiratory control ratio (RCR) values for cardiac mitochondrial O 2 consumption in B:ICR was significantly lower than that in Korl:ICR with higher level of state 2 respiration by glutamate/malate and UCP3 expression in cardiac muscle. Conclusions Taken together, these results indicate that the intrinsic exercise capacity of ICR mouse varies according to lineages, suggesting the role of cardiac mitochondrial coupling efficiency as a possible mechanism that might contribute to differences in the intrinsic exercise capacity and magnitude of response to exercise.

Background: As a laboratory animal resource, the ICR mouse is commonly used in a variety of research fields. However, information on differences in exercise-related characteristics in ICR mice derived from different lineages and the underlying mechanisms remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the intrinsic exercise capacity and a magnitude of response to acute exercise, and sought to identify mechanisms contributing to difference in Korl:ICR (a novel ICR lineage recently established by the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Korea) and two commercialized ICR lineages derived from different origins (viz., A:ICR mouse from Orient Bio Com, the United States, and B:ICR mouse from Japan SLC Inc., Japan). Results: Results showed that despite no significant difference in body weight and weight-proportioned tissue mass of heart and skeletal muscles among groups, the relatively low intrinsic exercise capacity and exaggerated response to acute exercise were identified in B:ICR comparted with Korl:ICR and A:ICR, as reflected by total work and lactate threshold (LT). Also, the mitochondrial efficiency expressed as the complex 1 and complex 1 + 2 respiratory control ratio (RCR) values for cardiac mitochondrial O 2 consumption in B:ICR was significantly lower than that in Korl:ICR with higher level of state 2 respiration by glutamate/malate and UCP3 expression in cardiac muscle. Conclusions Taken together, these results indicate that the intrinsic exercise capacity of ICR mouse varies according to lineages, suggesting the role of cardiac mitochondrial coupling efficiency as a possible mechanism that might contribute to differences in the intrinsic exercise capacity and magnitude of response to exercise.

MPTP, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine is commonly used to induce nigrostriatal defects to induce parkinsonism and/or parkinsonian syndrome, to replicate the lesions seen in Parkinson's disease (PD), with use in numerous PD models in mice. It has been suggested that various biological characteristics including strain could result in differing mortality rates, sensitivity to MPTP administration, and reproducibility of lesions in mice, but there is no evidence on the sensitivity of C57BL/6 mice from different origins to MPTP and its associated pathological lesions. In this study, we investigated the magnitude of the dose-dependent response to acute MPTP administration in C57BL/6NKorl mice and two commercialized C57BL/6 stocks derived from the United States and Japan. We measured biological features (body weight, temperature, and composition), nigrostriatal neurotoxic responses (dopamine levels, tyrosine hydroxylase enzymes, and protein carbonylation) and motor function. In results, the three different C57BL/6 stocks exhibited similar overall neurotoxic response and locomotor impairment which increased in a dose-dependent manner with acute MPTP administration (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg, all with external heat support), although some of these differences were not significant. In conclusion, this study provides scientific evidence that C57BL/6NKorl mice can be used as an alternative animal model for practical and targeted PD research.

Lumbar degenerative kyphosis (LDK) is a subgroup of the flat-back syndrome and is most commonly caused by unique life styles, such as a prolonged crouched posture during agricultural work and performing activities of daily living on the floor. Unfortunately, LDK has been used as a byword for degenerative sagittal imbalance, and this sometimes causes confusion. The aim of this review was to evaluate the exact territory of LDK, and to introduce another appropriate term for degenerative sagittal deformity. Unlike what its name suggests, LDK does not only include sagittal balance disorder of the lumbar spine and kyphosis, but also sagittal balance disorder of the whole spine and little lordosis of the lumbar spine. Moreover, this disease is closely related to the occupation of female farmers and an outdated Asian life style. These reasons necessitate a change in the nomenclature of this disorder to prevent misunderstanding. We suggest the name “primary degenerative sagittal imbalance” (PDSI), which encompasses degenerative sagittal misalignments of unknown origin in the whole spine in older-age patients, and is associated with back muscle wasting. LDK may be regarded as a subgroup of PDSI related to an occupation in agriculture. Conservative treatments such as exercise and physiotherapy are recommended as first-line treatments for patients with PDSI, and surgical treatment is considered only if conservative treatments failed. The measurement of spinopelvic parameters for sagittal balance is important prior to deformity corrective surgery. LDK can be considered a subtype of PDSI that is more likely to occur in female farmers, and hence the use of LDK as a global term for all degenerative sagittal imbalance disorders is better avoided. To avoid confusion, we recommend PDSI as a newer, more accurate diagnostic term instead of LDK.
Activities of Daily Living ; Agriculture ; Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Back Muscles ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Farmers ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Life Style ; Lordosis ; Occupations ; Posture ; Spine

PURPOSE: This study aimed to have a deeper insight into the clinical spectrum of foreign body aspiration in children and to prospect the further clinical implications of early diagnosis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective medical chart review of 48 children with foreign bodies at The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, between January 2009 and December 2013 in terms of age, sex, symptoms and signs, radiologic findings, and clinical courses. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the time from aspiration to a definite diagnosis. The 2 groups were compared for clinical courses, radiologic findings, and the length of hospitalization. RESULTS: Approximately 85% of patients were 3 years of age or younger. About one-fifth of patients had no history of foreign body aspiration. Cough and coarse breathing sounds were the most common symptoms and signs. The most frequent radiologic finding was pulmonary air trapping (33.3%). The mostly commonly aspirated foreign body was peanut and detected in left main bronchus. Cough, sputum, and absence of aspiration history were more common in the delayed diagnosed group than in the early diagnosed group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the number of accidents associated with foreign body aspiration can be reduced by keeping infants with nut formula under close observation and by conducting assertive bronchoscopic examination on children with delayed recovery from respiratory infections. After removal of foreign bodies, close monitoring and expectation of possible complications can prevent patients from a long hospital stay.
Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy ; Child* ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Foreign Bodies* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Nuts ; Respiratory Sounds ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Sputum

PURPOSE: Recent studies have shown that interferon-gamma-inducible protein of 10 kDa (IP-10/CXCL10) levels is increased in acute bronchiolitis and asthma. The aim of this study was to examine the levels of IP-10 in children with wheezing and whether it correlates with other clinical variables. METHODS: A total of 62 subjects children were hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infection with wheezing and visited the Emergency Department due to an acute exacerbation of asthma. IP-10 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the serum collected at admission. Serum IP-10 levels were evaluated for the relationships with age, sex, blood eosinophils counts, acute phase reactant, allergic sensitization, history of wheezing, and chest X-ray findings. RESULTS: Age showed a significant negative correlation with serum IP-10 levels (P=0.002). The serum levels of IP-10 were also significantly increased in patients with pneumonic infiltration on X-rays compared to those with normal or hyperinflation (P<0.009). There was no significant difference in the serum IP-10 level according to the other factors, including allergic sensitization. CONCLUSION: Serum IP-10 is significantly associated with inflammation of the lung and age, but not with allergic inflammation.
Asthma ; Bronchiolitis ; Chemokine CXCL10* ; Child* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lung ; Respiratory Sounds* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Thorax

PURPOSE: High-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula may offer an alternative therapy to patients with respiratory failure. However, a recent study has shown that the success rate of high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula was only 62%, and the mortality rate for patients who require intubation after failure of high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula was as high as 32.5%. The aim of this study is to determine the parameters, specifically for emergency department presentation, associated with high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula failure. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in respiratory patients who were admitted between June 2015 and January 2016 at a single university hospital. All patients who were treated with high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula were included. The exclusion criteria for high-flow oxygen via nasal cannulation were as follows: Hemodynamic instability, hypercapnic coma, inefficient clearance of secretions, and cardiac arrest. Univariable regression analysis was used and, if the p-value was less than 0.10, analyses were entered into a multivariable logistic regression analysis model. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were enrolled in our study. High-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula was successful in 33 patients, and 29 required intubation. Older age (over 65 years), Glasgow Coma Scale Score of less than 15, and respiratory rate of more than 30/min were significantly associated with the failure of high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula according to multivariable analysis (p-value<0.05). CONCLUSION: Older age, low Glasgow Coma Scale Score, and respiratory rate of more than 30/min are factors associated with the failure of high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula.
Catheterization ; Catheters* ; Cohort Studies ; Coma ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Heart Arrest ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intubation ; Logistic Models ; Mortality ; Oxygen* ; Respiratory Insufficiency* ; Respiratory Rate ; Retrospective Studies

Aconitine, found in the Aconitum species, is highly extremely toxic, and has been known to cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias and cardiovascular collapse. Although several reports have described treatment of aconitine intoxication, management strategy for the patient in a hemodynamically compromised state who experienced cardiopulmonary collapse is unknown. We report here on a case of a successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation and therapeutic hypothermia in an aconitine-induced cardiovascular collapsed patient. A 73-year-old male who presented with nausea, vomiting, chest discomfort, and drowsy mental state after eating an herbal decoction made from aconite roots was admitted to the emergency department. He showed hemodynamic compromise with monomorphic ventricular tachycardia resistant to amiodarone and lidocaine. After 3 minutes on admission, he collapsed, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated. We treated him with repeated cardioversion/defibrillation of 51 times, 10,150 joules and cardiopulmonary resuscitation of 12 times, 69 minutes for 14 hours and therapeutic hypothermia for 36 hours. He recovered fully in 7 days.
Aconitine ; Aconitum ; Aged ; Amiodarone ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Eating ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Lidocaine ; Male ; Nausea ; Resuscitation* ; Shock* ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Thorax ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) extract in eyes with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Forty-four eyes of forty four patients with early AMD were included in this randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study. All participants were randomly assigned to either the placebo group (n = 24), or the bog bilberry extract group (n = 20). Before drug administration, an ophthalmic examination which included slit lamp microscopy, best corrected visual acuity, and intraocular pressure was performed, and repeated 1and 3 months after treatment. Objective scatter index, glare and tear film break-up time were checked by Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS, Visiometrics, Spain) and drusen volume, central macular thickness, and RPE and IS/OS junction thickness were investigated with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis, Heidelberg, Germany). RESULTS: In the bog bilberry extract group, RPE and IS/OS junction thickness was significantly increased compared to the placebo group after 3 months of drug administration. CONCLUSIONS: Bog Bilberry extract may play a favorable role in preventing the atrophic change of RPE and IS/OS junction layer and the progression of early macular degeneration.
Eye ; Glare ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Macular Degeneration ; Microscopy ; Tears ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Vaccinium ; Vaccinium myrtillus ; Visual Acuity ; Wetlands

We aimed to determine the changes in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the spinal cord on two serial positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in a healthy population. We retrospectively enrolled healthy people who underwent PET/CT twice for cancer screening. We excluded those who had degenerative vertebral disease, neurologic disease, or a history of a vertebral operation. The standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the spinal cord of each mid-vertebral body was obtained by drawing a region of interest on an axial image of PET/CT. For analysis, the cord-to-background ratio (CTB) was used (CTB=SUVmax of each level/SUVmax of L5 level). Differences in pattern, sex, age, and intervals of the two serial PET/CT scans were analyzed. A total of 60 PET/CT images of 30 people were analyzed. The mean interval between the two PET/CT imaging studies was 2.80+/-0.94 years. On the follow-up PET/CT, significant change was shown only at the level of the C6 and T10 vertebrae (p<0.005). Mean CTB showed a decreasing pattern from cervical to lumbar vertebrae. There were two peaks at the lower cervical level (C4-6) and at the lower thoracic level (T12). Neither sex nor age significantly affected CTB. The FDG uptake of the spinal cord changed significantly on follow-up PET/CT only at the level of the C6 and T10 vertebrae. This finding is valuable as a baseline reference in the follow-up of metabolic changes in the spinal cord.
Early Detection of Cancer ; Electrons ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Follow-Up Studies ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; Spine