PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate influence of cellular phone videos and games on dry eye syndrome in university students. METHODS: A randomized comparison group pre-post design is used. Sixty university students were randomly assigned to either a video or a game group. Frequencies of blinking, dry eye symptoms scores and amounts of tears were measured. Thirty subjects watched cellular phone video programmes and the other 30 subjects played cellular phone games for 61 minutes. In addition, frequencies of blinking were measured three times during treatment, once immediately after a treatment and twice at an interval of 20 minutes after subsequent treatments. RESULTS: Post-test scores of frequencies of blinking significantly decreased, dry eye symptoms scores including amounts of tears significantly increased greater than pre-test scores in both groups. But there were no significant differences between the groups. Frequencies of blinking were significantly different with respect to the time spent using cellular phone. In both groups, the lowest frequencies of blinking were shown after 40 minutes of cellular phone use. CONCLUSION: This study shows that using cellular phone has negative influence on dry eye syndrome and eyes require a resting period after cellular phone use over 40 minutes.
Blinking ; Cellular Phone* ; Dry Eye Syndromes* ; Humans ; Tears

BACKGROUND: Osteopontin (Opn) is recognized as an important adhesive bone matrix protein and a key cytokine involved in immune cell recruitment and tissue repair and remolding. However, serum levels of osteopontin have not been evaluated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the serum levels of osteopontin in patients experiencing COPD exacerbations and in patients with stable COPD. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 22 healthy control subjects, 18 stable COPD patients, and 15 COPD with exacerbation patients. Serum concentrations of osteopontin were measured by the ELISA method. RESULTS: Serum levels of osteopontin were higher in patients with acute exacerbation than with stable COPD and in healthy control subjects (62.4+/-51.9 ng/mL, 36.9+/-11.1 ng/mL, 30+/-11 ng/mL, test for trend p=0.003). In the patients with COPD exacerbation, the osteopontin levels when the patient was discharged from the hospital tended to decrease compared to those at admission (45+/-52.1 ng/mL, 62.4+/-51.9 ng/mL, p=0.160). Osteopontin levels significantly increased according to patient factors, including never-smoker, ex-smoker and current smoker (23+/-5.7 ng/mL, 35.5+/-17.6 ng/mL, 58.6+/-47.8 ng/mL, test for trend p=0.006). Also, osteopontin levels showed a significantly negative correlation with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%) predicted in healthy controls and stable COPD patients (r=-0.389; p=0.013). C-reactive protein (CRP) was positively correlated with osteopontin levels in patients with COPD exacerbation (r=0.775; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The serum levels of osteopontin increased in patients with COPD exacerbation and tended to decrease after clinical improvement. These results suggest the possible role of osteopontin as a biomarker of acute exacerbation of COPD.
Adhesives ; Biomarkers ; Bone Matrix ; C-Reactive Protein ; Disease Progression ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Osteopontin ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

PURPOSE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication during hospitalization and is an accepted risk factor for in-hospital mortality. However, the association of severity of AKI with the long-term risk of death is not well known. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and clinical significance of AKI in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: To examine the effect of the severity of AKI on 1-year risk of death following AMI, we performed an observational study of 1,224 patients admitted for AMI. We evaluated the association between AKI and all-cause mortality. Patients with maintaining hemodialysis treatment (n=7), and who died during hospitalization (n=71) were excluded. Remaining 1146 patients were divided into three groups according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria (Stage-1, -2, and-3). The primary end point of the study was 1-year all-cause mortality after hospital discharge. The relation between the severity of AKI and 1-year mortality after AMI was analyzed. RESULTS: AKI was developed in 222/1,146 (19.3%) patients during the hospital stay. Adjusted hazard ratio for 1-year mortality was 3.064 (95% CI 1.618 to 5.803, p=0.001), 6.112 (95% CI 2.344 to 15.935, p<0.001) and 20.030 (95% CI 5.428 to 73.912, p<0.001) in stage-1, -2, and stage-3 AKI groups compared with that of no AKI group. CONCLUSION: The severity of AKI is strongly related to 1-year all cause mortality in patients with AMI.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Fatal Outcome ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Myocardial Infarction ; Renal Dialysis ; Risk Factors

Sjogren's syndrome(SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation induced chronic dysfunction of the exocrine glands. Neurologic manifestations occurs in 30% of patients. We report a 55-year-old woman with primary SS, who presented with subacute aseptic meningitis combined with an unnoticed polyneuropathy. SS was confirmed by dry eyes and Schirmer's test, salivary scintigraphy and serum autoantibodies. We suggest SS as a cause of subacute aseptic meningitis in an elderly female patient with dry eyes and mouth.
Aged ; Autoantibodies ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Exocrine Glands ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Peripheral Nervous System* ; Polyneuropathies ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sjogren's Syndrome*

BACKGROUND: Mivacurium is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent which has short duration of action. The goal of this study was to describe a technique which could shorten the onset time of mivacurium for rapid endotracheal intubation by using priming principle. METHODS: Thirty-one patients were randomly allocated into four groups. Patients in group I(n=8) received a single dose of 0.12 mg/kg mivacurium. Those in group II(n=10), III(n=6), and IV(n=7) received 0.015 mg/kg pancuronium, 0.012 mg/kg vecuronium, and 0.008 mg/kg mivacurium 4 minutes before the intubating dose of 0.12 mg/kg mivacurium was given respectively. Accelerographic response to train-of-four(TOF) stimulation of ulnar nerve at 15 seconds interval was used for neuromuscular monitoring. The onset time, the duration and recovery indices were compared between groups. RESULTS: The onset time in group II (2.9 0.49 min) and III (2.33 0.4 min) were significantly faster than that in group I (5.19 0.47 min). In the group II, the duration (26.3 1.9 min) and recovery index (12.35 2.45 min) were significantly prolonged than those in group I (9.12 1.21 and 4.75 0.52 min), respectively. CONCLUSION: The onset time is more rapid when pancuronium or vecuronium is used as priming agent than when mivacurium as single bolus injection or priming agent.
Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Neuromuscular Monitoring ; Pancuronium* ; Pharmacology ; Ulnar Nerve ; Vecuronium Bromide*

OBJECTIVES: This study proposes to trace the development of the Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health by analyzing its articles. METHODS: All of the articles published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health from 1995 to 2012 were assessed and analyzed with regard to the following: research design, MeSH database keywords, and statistical method. RESULTS: The total number of published articles was 830. This journal has conducted based on the relatively weak research designs and statistical analysis, and keyword does not matched with MeSH terms. The most frequently used research design was cross-sectional (53.1%). The statistical methods most often used were the F-test, t-test and contingency table. Only 34.3% of keywords matched MeSH terms. CONCLUSIONS: It was confirmed that the activities of the field of Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health have become more prevalent over the past 18 years. In order to develop the quality of the journal, more systematic, refined study designs and methods are needed. It is also urgently essential that authors understand MeSH terms, and the Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health should request that authors use accurate MeSH terms as their keywords when they submit articles.
Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Medical Subject Headings ; Oral Health ; Research Design

Renal sodium and water reabsorption occurs through epithelial sodium transporters and aquaporin (AQP) water channels in various segments of tubules. We have demonstrated altered regulation of these transporters and channels in various pathophysiological conditions. In nephrotic syndrome and liver cirrhosis, expression of epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) was increased in the late distal convoluted tubule, connecting tubule, and collecting duct. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, the expression of Na,K-ATPase as well as that of ENaC was increased. In contrast, AQP1-3 and sodium transporters was decreased in the kidney from deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension. In two-kidney, one clip hypertension, the expression of Na,K-ATPase, NHE3, NKCC2 and ENaC subunits was decreased in the clipped kidney while remained unchanged in the contralateral kidney. We have also shown an increased activity of renal atrial natriuretic peptide system in postobstructive natriuresis/ diuresis. In acute kidney injury (cisplatin-, gentamicin- and ischemia/reperfusion-induced), the expression of Na,K-ATPase, NHE3, NKCC2 and AQP1-3 was decreased. The altered regulation of sodium transporters and AQP may be causally related with various kidney diseases and hypertension.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Aquaporins ; Desoxycorticosterone ; Diuresis ; Epithelial Sodium Channels ; Hypertension ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Sodium

Renal sodium and water reabsorption occurs through epithelial sodium transporters and aquaporin (AQP) water channels in various segments of tubules. We have demonstrated altered regulation of these transporters and channels in various pathophysiological conditions. In nephrotic syndrome and liver cirrhosis, expression of epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) was increased in the late distal convoluted tubule, connecting tubule, and collecting duct. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, the expression of Na,K-ATPase as well as that of ENaC was increased. In contrast, AQP1-3 and sodium transporters was decreased in the kidney from deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension. In two-kidney, one clip hypertension, the expression of Na,K-ATPase, NHE3, NKCC2 and ENaC subunits was decreased in the clipped kidney while remained unchanged in the contralateral kidney. We have also shown an increased activity of renal atrial natriuretic peptide system in postobstructive natriuresis/ diuresis. In acute kidney injury (cisplatin-, gentamicin- and ischemia/reperfusion-induced), the expression of Na,K-ATPase, NHE3, NKCC2 and AQP1-3 was decreased. The altered regulation of sodium transporters and AQP may be causally related with various kidney diseases and hypertension.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Aquaporins ; Desoxycorticosterone ; Diuresis ; Epithelial Sodium Channels ; Hypertension ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Sodium

OBJECTIVE: The etiology and pathogenesis of moyamoya disease remain unclear. Furthermore, the definitive diagnostic protein-biomarkers for moyamoya disease are still unknown. The present study analyzed serum proteomes from normal controls and moyamoya patients to identify novel serological biomarkers for diagnosing moyamoya disease. METHODS: We compared the two-dimensional electrophoresis patterns of sera from moyamoya disease patients and normal controls and identified the differentially-expressed spots by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS: We found and analyzed 22 differently-expressed proteomes. Two proteins were up-regulated. Twenty proteins were down-regulated. Complement C1 inhibitor protein and apolipoprotein C-III showed predominantly changed expressions (complement C1 inhibitor protein averaged a 7.23-fold expression in moyamoya patients as compared to controls, while apolipoprotein C-III averaged a 0.066-fold expression). CONCLUSION: Although our study had a small sample size, our proteomic data provide serologic clue proteins for understanding moyamoya disease.
Apolipoprotein C-III ; Biomarkers ; Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein ; Electrophoresis ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Moyamoya Disease ; Proteins ; Proteome ; Sample Size

OBJECTIVE: The imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines may underlie different pain states. Although ascorbic acid is the most important physiological antioxidant that affects host defense mechanisms and immune homeostasis, there is limited information on the effects of ascorbic acid on the production of cytokines. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the in vitro effect of L-ascorbic acid (AA) on the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines by stimulating C57BL/6 mouse splenocytes with the polyclonal activators lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A. RESULTS: AA significantly downregulated the expression of IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-alpha at 48 h and 72 h in mouse splenocytes treated with a combination of polyclonal activators and AA. AA treatment also resulted in upregulation of IL-4 and IL-10 at 72 h. These findings demonstrated that AA significantly potentiated production of anti-inflammatory cytokines whereas there was an inverse association between AA and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mouse splenocytes. CONCLUSION: AA may have potential applications in the reduction of inflammatory pain because of its function in modulating the production of cytokines. However, further in vivo investigations are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms involved.
Animals ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Concanavalin A ; Cytokines* ; Defense Mechanisms ; Homeostasis ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Mice* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Up-Regulation