Background: Inflammation following stroke is associated with poor outcomes, and the anti-inflammatory effects of neural stem cells (NSCs) have been reported. However, the direct immunomodulatory effects of NSCs in hemorrhagic stroke remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of direct co-culture with NSCs on RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by hemolysate. Methods: RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with the hemolysate for 4 hours to induce hemorrhagic inflammation in vitro. Regarding direct co-culture, RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with HB1.F3 cells for 24 hours in normal medium and stimulated with hemolysate for 4 hours. Inflammatory cell signaling molecules, including cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were evaluated. Results: After stimulation with the hemolysate, levels of the inflammatory markers COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased in RAW264.7 cells. Inflammatory marker production was reduced in the group subjected to direct co-culture with HB1.F3 in comparison to that in the RAW264.7 group stimulated by the hemolysate. In addition, direct co-culture with HB1.F3 significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in hemolysate-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment of the ERK inhibitor (U0126) suppressed the expression levels of inflammatory markers in hemolysate-stimulated RAW246.7 cells. Conclusion These results demonstrate that direct co-culture with HB1.F3 suppresses inflammation by attenuating the ERK pathway. These findings suggest that direct NSC treatment modulates the inflammatory response in hemorrhagic stroke.

Background: Inflammation following stroke is associated with poor outcomes, and the anti-inflammatory effects of neural stem cells (NSCs) have been reported. However, the direct immunomodulatory effects of NSCs in hemorrhagic stroke remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of direct co-culture with NSCs on RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by hemolysate. Methods: RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with the hemolysate for 4 hours to induce hemorrhagic inflammation in vitro. Regarding direct co-culture, RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with HB1.F3 cells for 24 hours in normal medium and stimulated with hemolysate for 4 hours. Inflammatory cell signaling molecules, including cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were evaluated. Results: After stimulation with the hemolysate, levels of the inflammatory markers COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased in RAW264.7 cells. Inflammatory marker production was reduced in the group subjected to direct co-culture with HB1.F3 in comparison to that in the RAW264.7 group stimulated by the hemolysate. In addition, direct co-culture with HB1.F3 significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in hemolysate-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment of the ERK inhibitor (U0126) suppressed the expression levels of inflammatory markers in hemolysate-stimulated RAW246.7 cells. Conclusion These results demonstrate that direct co-culture with HB1.F3 suppresses inflammation by attenuating the ERK pathway. These findings suggest that direct NSC treatment modulates the inflammatory response in hemorrhagic stroke.

Background: Inflammation following stroke is associated with poor outcomes, and the anti-inflammatory effects of neural stem cells (NSCs) have been reported. However, the direct immunomodulatory effects of NSCs in hemorrhagic stroke remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of direct co-culture with NSCs on RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by hemolysate. Methods: RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with the hemolysate for 4 hours to induce hemorrhagic inflammation in vitro. Regarding direct co-culture, RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with HB1.F3 cells for 24 hours in normal medium and stimulated with hemolysate for 4 hours. Inflammatory cell signaling molecules, including cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were evaluated. Results: After stimulation with the hemolysate, levels of the inflammatory markers COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased in RAW264.7 cells. Inflammatory marker production was reduced in the group subjected to direct co-culture with HB1.F3 in comparison to that in the RAW264.7 group stimulated by the hemolysate. In addition, direct co-culture with HB1.F3 significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in hemolysate-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment of the ERK inhibitor (U0126) suppressed the expression levels of inflammatory markers in hemolysate-stimulated RAW246.7 cells. Conclusion These results demonstrate that direct co-culture with HB1.F3 suppresses inflammation by attenuating the ERK pathway. These findings suggest that direct NSC treatment modulates the inflammatory response in hemorrhagic stroke.

Objective: The present study investigated the functional neuroanatomy underlying negative and positive schemas towards the self and others in patients with early stage schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) using a task-based fMRI procedure. Methods: This study included 50 patients with SSDs and 52 controls. The schema-evoking task consisted of four active conditions and neutral condition. Differences in brain activation were compared between the two groups. Correlation analysis was performed between task-related activation and psychopathology. Results: The SSD patients exhibited higher activity of the left middle and inferior frontal gyri under the negative-others minus neutral contrast as well as greater activation of the left superior and middle frontal gyri and right medial superior frontal gyrus under the positive- self minus neutral and positive-others minus neutral contrasts. Under the positive-others minus neutral contrast, negative correlation was observed between activity of the right inferior parietal gyrus and right angular and total score of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), whereas positive correlation between activity of the left middle cingulate gyrus and left/right precuneus and positive-others score of the Brief Core Schema Scales (BCSS). Conclusion The present findings suggest that the frontal brain regions of SSD patients are more sensitive to negative and positive schemas towards the self and/or others compared to those of controls.

Objective: The present study investigated the functional neuroanatomy underlying negative and positive schemas towards the self and others in patients with early stage schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) using a task-based fMRI procedure. Methods: This study included 50 patients with SSDs and 52 controls. The schema-evoking task consisted of four active conditions and neutral condition. Differences in brain activation were compared between the two groups. Correlation analysis was performed between task-related activation and psychopathology. Results: The SSD patients exhibited higher activity of the left middle and inferior frontal gyri under the negative-others minus neutral contrast as well as greater activation of the left superior and middle frontal gyri and right medial superior frontal gyrus under the positive- self minus neutral and positive-others minus neutral contrasts. Under the positive-others minus neutral contrast, negative correlation was observed between activity of the right inferior parietal gyrus and right angular and total score of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), whereas positive correlation between activity of the left middle cingulate gyrus and left/right precuneus and positive-others score of the Brief Core Schema Scales (BCSS). Conclusion The present findings suggest that the frontal brain regions of SSD patients are more sensitive to negative and positive schemas towards the self and/or others compared to those of controls.

OBJECTIVE: An orogastric tube is used frequently in infants because infants are obligate nose breathers and nasogastric tubes can cause partial nasal obstruction. This study examined whether the presence of an orogastric tube could affect the swallowing parameters assessed by a videofluoroscopic swallowing study in infants with dysphagia caused by a variety of reasons. METHODS: Tests were conducted in 15 infants aged less than 150 days after birth who used an orogastric tube due to dysphagia. Two tests were conducted. The first was conducted with an orogastric tube inserted. Subsequently, the orogastric tube was removed with a 5-minute break before the second test. Skilled physiatrists then analyzed the recorded video. The number of sucks required for one swallow, abnormalities of the pharyngeal phase, and penetration-aspiration scales were evaluated. RESULTS: After removing the orogastric tube, the number of sucks required for one swallow reduced significantly (2.50±1.73 vs. 3.45±2.54, P=0.04). On the other hand, no statistical significance was observed in the results of the pharyngeal phase and penetration-aspiration scale (5.60±3.16 vs. 5.9±3.81, P=0.41) with and without the orogastric tube. CONCLUSION: These findings showed that the insertion or non-insertion of an orogastric tube might not affect the swallowing abnormalities in the pharyngeal phase and the risk of aspiration. In addition, an orogastric tube may have a negative effect on the swallowing function in the oral phase.
Deglutition Disorders ; Deglutition ; Hand ; Humans ; Infant ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nose ; Parturition ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the readmission rate of preterm infants of 30-33 weeks gestational age (GA) within 1 year following discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: This research was a part of the Retrospective Study to Evaluate Rehospitalization & Health Care Utilization after NICU Discharge in Preterm Infants (< or =33 weeks) II (RHANPI II) project conducted by the Committee on Data Collection and Statistical Analysis of the Korean Society of Neonatology. Enrolled infants (n=1,257) of 46 hospitals from April to September 2012, were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: The average GA and birth weight of the study population was 32(+2)+/-1(+1) weeks and 1,785+/-386 g, respectively. The cumulative readmission rate during the 360 days following discharge from the NICU was 27.3%. The cumulative readmission rate according to GA was 36.4%, 30.1%, 25.9% and 22.7% for infants born at 30, 31, 32 and 33 weeks GA, respectively. The corresponding respiratory readmission rate was 16.3%; this was 59.8% of total readmissions. There was no significant difference in the respiratory readmission rate according to GA group (log-rank test for trend, P-value=0.0558). Of the infants who were readmitted with respiratory problems, 57.0% (n=53/93) tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). CONCLUSION: The cumulative readmission rate during the 360 days following discharge from the NICU was 27.3%. Respiratory problems were the most common cause of readmission, and RSV was the most common virus associated with respiratory readmission. Additionally, there was no difference in the rate of respiratory readmission according to GA group.
Birth Weight ; Data Collection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Gestational Age* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Korea ; Neonatology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Retrospective Studies

Although oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) have been proposed as important mediators of the atherosclerosis, the long-term contribution to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hemodialysis patients has not been evaluated. This study investigated the relation between oxidized LDL and LPC levels with long term risk of CVD. Plasma oxidized LDL and LPC levels were determined in 69 Korean hemodialysis patients as a prospective observational study for 5 yr. During the observation period, 18 cardiovascular events (26.1%) occurred including 6 deaths among the hemodialysis patients. The low LPC level group (< or = 254 microM/L, median value) had much more increased risk of CVD compared to the high LPC level group (> 254 microM/L) (P = 0.01). However, serum levels of oxidized LDL were not significantly different between groups with and without CVD. In adjusted Cox analysis, previous CVD, (hazard ratio [HR], 5.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.94-16.63, P = 0.002) and low LPC level (HR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.04-11.42, P = 0.04) were significant independent risk factors for development of CVD. It is suggested that low LPC, but not oxidized LDL, is associated with increased risk of CVD among a group of Korean hemodialysis patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cardiovascular Diseases/*diagnosis/etiology/mortality ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/blood/complications/diagnosis ; Lipoproteins, LDL/*blood ; Lysophosphatidylcholines/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of dysphagia in neonates who showed abnormal findings on videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSSs), and to compare the accuracy of the clinical evaluation with the VFSS results. METHOD: A clinical investigation of 142 neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit was carried out to evaluate the presence of low O2 saturation (<80%), symptoms of cyanosis, coughing and/or vomiting, nasal regurgitation, drooling saliva, voice change and crying during feeding. VFSSs were performed on the neonates who had at least one of these clinical abnormalities. RESULTS: Of the 142 patients, 37 (26.1%) had at least one of the clinical symptoms of dysphagia. Twenty two of 37 (59.5%) showed abnormal findings on the VFSS. The patients exhibiting cyanosis and coughing during feeding had a higher incidence of aspiration (11 of 11, 100%) on the VFSSs than did the patients with other symptoms: cyanosis (3 of 13, 30.8%), cyanosis with vomiting (0 of 2, 0.0%), coughing without cyanosis (2 of 5, 40.0%), voice change (2 of 2, 100%) and nasal regurgitation (1 of 3, 33.3%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of laryngeal penetration or subglottic aspiration among those neonates who were clinically suspected of dysphagia was 59.5%. Coughing with cyanosis during feeding was the best predictor of both these abnormalities.
Cough ; Crying ; Cyanosis ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Prevalence ; Saliva ; Sialorrhea ; Voice ; Vomiting

Deletions of chromosome 6q, particularly in the proximal region, are relatively rare. Here, we report on a de novo interstitial deletion of (6)(q13q16.2) in a girl with facial dysmorphism, congenital hip dislocation, porencephaly, and brain atrophy. Array comparative genomic hybridization analysis showed arr 6q13q16.2(73,378,824-99,824,130), demonstrating higher resolution than the conventional cytogenetic findings, del(6)(q12q15). The clinical data were analyzed and compared with those of similar patients previously reported in the literature.
Abnormalities, Multiple/*genetics ; *Chromosome Deletion ; *Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Karyotyping ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis