Akt, heat shock protein (HSP72)72, and HSP90 induced by ischemic preconditioning protect cells from the ischemic injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the alterations of the level of phospho-Akt, HSP72, and HSP90 in the rat tibialis anterior and soleus muscles after cyclic episodes of ischemic preconditioning. Sprague-Dawley rats aged 35 weeks were divided into control and ischemic preconditioning (IP) groups. The IP group was divided into 3 subgroups based on cycles of IP. Left common iliac artery was occluded 3, 6, and 10 times for 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes reperfusion. The experimental animals were sacrificed at 0, 3, 6, 24, and 72 hours after reperfusion, and left tibialis anterior and soleus muscles were removed. The expression of phospho-Akt, HSP72, and HSP90 were examined with immunohistochemical methods and Western blot analysis. The results were as follows; 1. In the 3 and 6 times of IP groups, the expression of phospho-Akt (p-Akt) was increased at 0 and 3 hours after reperfusion, compared with control group. The expression of p-Akt in the 10 times of IP group was lower than that in 3 and 6 times of IP groups. At 72 hours after reperfusion, the expression of p-Akt showed no difference among the IP groups. The expression of p-Akt was higher in Soleus than that in Tibialis anterior. 2. The expression of HSP72 in 3 times of IP group increased at 0 and 3 hours after reperfusion, compared with 6 and 10 times of IP groups. The expression of HSP72 in the 10 times of IP group was lower than that in 3 and 6 times of IP groups. At 72 hours after reperfusion, the expression of HSP72 showed no difference among the IP groups. The expression of HSP72 was higher in Soleus than that in Tibialis anterior. 3. In the 3 and 6 times of IP groups, the expression of HSP90 increased at 0 and 3 hours after reperfusion, compared with control group. The expression of HSP90 in the 10 times of IP group was lower than that in 3 and 6 times of IP groups. At 24 hours after reperfusion, the expression of HSP90 showed no difference with increasing episode of IP. The expression level of HSP90 was higher in Soleus than that in Tibialis anterior. These findings suggest that ischemic preconditioning increases the expression of p-Akt, HSP72 and HSP90 at early phase after reperfusion in the rat tibialis anterior and soleus muscles. However, increased cycles of ischemic preconditioning may not induce the expression of them.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Iliac Artery ; Ischemic Preconditioning* ; Muscles* ; Phosphorylation* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion

BACKGROUND: Myocardial contrast two-dimensional echocardiography(MC-2DE) has been known to have the real time capabilities for repeat in vivo assessment of ischemic risk areas and for evaluation of the myocardial perfusion. The aims of this investigation are (1) to evaluate the feasibility of MC-2DE for the delineation and quantitation of the area at risk. (2) to determine the relationship between the extent of the echocontrast defect area(EDA) during reperfusion and the size of myocardial infarction as determined by post-mortem tissue examination, and (3) to observe serial changes in the time echo-intensity characteristics of MC-2DE during coronary occlusion and reperfusion. METHODS: Myocardial contrast echocardiographic images were made by injecting bolus 5mL of two-syringe-agitated mixture of sodium meglumine ioxaglate(Hexabrix(R)) and normal saline(2 : 3 by volume) into the aortic root before and during coronary occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, distal to the first diagonal branch and during reperfusion on eight open-chest dogs. Two-dimensional echocardiographic short axis views were obtained at four anatomic levels : the apex, the low papillary muscle, the high papillary muscle and the mitral valve. The changes in EDA and echo-intensity with its wash-out half time(WHT) at the high papillary muscle level during coronary occlusion and reperfusion were measured every 15 minutes. The total EDA was measured by planimetry at 3 minutes after coronary occlusion and at 60 minutes after reperfusion. Evans blue or methylene blue were used for the measurement of the anatomic area at risk and triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride(TTC) for the measurement of the infarct area. RESULTS: The EDA measured 30 minutes after coronary occlusion(19.6%) was smaller than that at 3 minutes after coronary occlusion(24.0%, p<0.01). Then EDA at 3 minutes occlusion was strongly predictive of the anatomic extent of area at risk(EDA=0.48 Area at risk+16.95, r=0.84, p<0.05). The EDA at 60 minutes after reperfusion, which showed an irregular margin and was located within the subendocardium of the area at risk, also correlated well with the infarct area(IA)(EDA=0.78 IA+3.32, r=0.82, p=0.09). The peak echo-intensity in the ischemic area during coronary occlusion was significantly low(14.2+/-6.5 vs 73.8+/-31.7 in the non-ischemic area, p<0.01) and the WHT was delayed more in the ischemic area than in the non-ischemic area(23.2+/-2.8 sec vs 8.1+/-3.3sec, p<0.01). During the period of reperfusion, WHT in the previously ischemic area was markedly delayed compared to that in the non-ischemic area (p<0.01), although the peak echo-intensity in the ischemic area at 3 minutes after reperfusion increased modestly compared to that in the non-ischemic area(80.9+/-22.8 vs 72.7+/-8.4), suggesting the impairment in the transit of microbubbles is probably due to microvascular damage after reperfusion. There were no adverse hemodynamic or electrocardiographic effects after injection of the contrast agent. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that myocardial contrast echocardiography was useful as a non-invasive technique, first, to delineate the area at risk in vivo during coronary occlusion and, after reperfusion, the infarct area, and secondly, to evaluate indirectly the state of myocardial perfusion during coronary occlusion and reperfusion.
Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Coronary Occlusion* ; Coronary Vessels ; Dogs ; Echocardiography* ; Electrocardiography ; Evans Blue ; Hemodynamics ; Meglumine ; Methylene Blue ; Microbubbles ; Mitral Valve ; Myocardial Infarction ; Papillary Muscles ; Perfusion* ; Reperfusion* ; Sodium

Human carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) is a serine esterase that hydrolyzes various exogenous compounds. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CES1 may lead to inter-individual metabolic variability of its substrates. The allele and haplotype frequencies of known SNPs have been demonstrated to vary among ethnic groups. We analyzed genetic variations of CES1 in a Korean population. Direct sequencing of all exons and flanking regions of the CES1 gene was performed on samples obtained from 200 Koreans. We identified 41 SNPs. The most frequent SNPs was -914G>C (frequency: 99.5%), followed by 4256G>A (frequency: 65.8%), -75T>G (frequency: 59.3%). Haplotype analysis using the identified SNPs revealed fifteen haplotypes (> or =1% haplotype frequency) in our samples. The most frequent haplotype was Hap1 (frequency: 15.4%). Among the identified 41 SNPs, nine of which are novel variants and 14 SNPs were nonsynonymous variants. Using the functional predictive software PolyPhen-2, the G19V, E221G, and A270S variants were predicted to be most likely damaging to the function and structure of CES1. In-vitro analyses for two of these variants have been previously performed; however, functional evaluation of E221G (11657A>G, rs200707504) still needs to be conducted. Therefore, further studies are warranted to characterize the functional impact of E221G on CES1 activity.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carboxylesterase* ; Ethnic Groups ; Exons ; Genetic Variation ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Serine

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

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can be detected by using several molecular methods, including Hybrid-Capture II (HC2) assay and variable HPV DNA chip tests, although each method has different sensitivities and specificities. METHODS: We performed HPV 9G DNA Chip (9G) and PANArray HPV Genotyping Chip (PANArray) tests on 118 cervicovaginal swabs and compared the results with HC2, cytology, histology, and direct sequencing results. RESULTS: The overall and high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) positivity rates were 62.7% and 44.9% using 9G, and 61.0% and 30.5% using PANArray, respectively. The positivity rates for HR-HPV with these two chips were significantly lower than 55.1% when HC2 was used. The sensitivity of overall HPV positivity in detecting histologically confirmed low-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions or higher was 88.7% for all three tests. The specificity was 58.5% for 9G and 61.5% for PANArray, which was significantly lower than the 72.3% for HC2. With the HR-HPV+ genotype threshold, the sensitivity decreased to 75.5% for 9G and 52.8% for PANArray, which was significantly lower than the 88.7% for HC2. Comparison of the two chips showed concordant results in 55.1% of the samples, compatible results in 16.9%, and discordant results in 28.0%, exhibiting poor agreement in detecting  certain HPV genotypes. Compared with direct sequencing, 9G yielded no discordant results, whereas PANArray yielded 31 discordant results (26.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with HC2, the HPV genotyping tests showed lower sensitivity in histologic correlation. When the two chips were compared, the 9G was more sensitive and accurate for detecting HR-HPV than the PANArray.
Cervix Uteri ; DNA* ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

No abstract available.
Amniocentesis* ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second*

PURPOSE: To compare preoperative and postoperative ocular biometry in patients with iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens (pIOLs): Artisan and Artiflex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 40 eyes with Artisan and 36 eyes with Artiflex pIOL implants. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) and axial length (AL) were measured by applanation ultrasonography (A-scan) and partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster) preoperatively and 3 months after pIOL implantation. RESULTS: ACD measurements after Artisan or Artiflex pIOL implantation were smaller than preoperative measurements. Specifically, the difference after Artisan pIOL implantation was -1.07+/-0.17 mm by A-scan and -0.08+/-0.08 mm by IOLMaster. The difference after Artiflex pIOL implantation was -1.31+/-0.15 mm by A-scan and -0.05+/-0.07 mm by IOLMaster. After Artisan pIOL implantation, differences in AL measurements by A-scan were insignificant (difference: -0.03+/-0.15 mm), whereas postoperative AL measurements by IOLMaster were significantly longer than preoperative measurements (difference: 0.12+/-0.07 mm). After Artiflex pIOL implantation, AL measurements by both A-scan and IOLMaster were significantly longer than preoperative measurements (difference: 0.09+/-0.16 mm by A-scan and 0.07+/-0.10 mm by IOLMaster). In the Artiflex group, differences in AL measurements by A-scan correlated with the central thickness of the Artiflex pIOL. CONCLUSION: ACD and AL measurements were influenced by iris-fixated phakic IOL implantation.
Adult ; Biometry ; Eye/ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Interferometry ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular/*adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of early versus late intravitreal injection of triamcinolone in patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Twenty eyes of 20 patients with macular edema from BRVO, including 10 with duration after onset of < or =3 months and 10 with duration of >3 months, were treated using a single intravitreal triamcinolone injection (4 mg/0.1 ml). Best-corrected visual acuity and foveal thickness by optical coherence tomography were measured 1, 3, and 6 months post-injection. RESULTS: In patients that received treatment after a disease duration of < or =3 months, visual acuity and foveal thickness significantly improved from baseline over 6 months of follow-up. However, in those with a duration of >3 months, improvements in visual acuity and foveal thickness, though apparent at 1 month, were not maintained at 3 and 6 months post-triamcinolone. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal triamcinolone is more effective in patients with BRVO who are treated earlier.
Visual Acuity/drug effects ; Triamcinolone Acetonide/*administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Retinal Vein Occlusion/*complications ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Macular Edema, Cystoid/chemically induced/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Humans ; Glucocorticoids/*administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; Fovea Centralis/drug effects ; Female ; Drug Administration Schedule

Microalbuminuria is a marker of generalized endothelial dysfunction resulting from arterial stiffness or insulin resistance, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a good measure of arterial stiffness. We aimed to investigate whether elevated baPWV is independently associated with microalbuminuria. This study included 1,648 individuals aged over 40 who participated in the baseline Multi-Rural Cohort Study conducted in Korean rural communities between 2005 and 2006. Participants were classified into less than 30 mg/g as normoalbuminuria or 30-300 mg/g as microalbuminuriausing urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR). The median and Q1-Q3 baPWV values were significantly higher in the microalbuminuric group both in men (1,538, 1,370-1,777 cm/s vs. 1,776, 1,552-2,027 cm/s, P < 0.001) and women (1,461, 1,271-1,687 cm/s vs. 1,645, 1,473-1,915 cm/s, P < 0.001). BaPWV was independently associated with microalbuminuria in both genders after adjusting for pulse rate; fasting blood glucose; triglyceride; homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)) and, history of hypertension and diabetes. Fasting blood sugar and HOMA(IR) were judged as having nothing to do with multicolinearity (r = 0.532, P < 0.001). Elevated baPWV was independently associated with microalbuminuria regardless of insulin resistance among rural subjects over 40 yr.
Adult ; Aged ; Albuminuria/*diagnosis/etiology/metabolism ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Ankle Joint/*physiopathology ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Brachial Artery/*physiopathology ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications/diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications/diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Pulse Wave Analysis ; Risk Factors ; *Rural Population ; Serum Albumin/analysis ; Triglycerides/blood ; Vascular Stiffness

Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB) has been used to evaluate microcalcifications or non-palpable breast lesions on mammography. Although stereotactic VAB is usually performed in a prone or upright position, an expensive prone table is necessary and vasovagal reactions often occur during the procedure. For these reasons, the lateral decubitus position can be applied for stereotactic VAB, and true lateral mammography can be used to detect the lesion. We report on 15 cases of lateral decubitus positioning for stereotactic VAB with true lateral mammography for non-palpable breast lesions or microcalcifications. The mean procedure time was approximately 30.1 minutes, and no complications occurred during the procedures. Fourteen cases had benign breast lesions and one case had a ductal carcinoma in situ. The lateral decubitus stereotactic VAB with true lateral mammography can be applied for microcalcifications or non-palpable breast lesions and helps to minimize anxiety and vasovagal reactions in patients.
Anxiety ; Biopsy ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Humans ; Mammography ; Stereotaxic Techniques