BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), a most common cause of non-infectious laryngitis, occupies 20~30% of ENT outpatients, and over a half of patients who complains of voice disorder and laryngeal symptoms are associated with LPR. So we evaluate the usefulness of the esophagography as an initial screening test for patients suspected of LPR. SUBJECTIVES AND METHOD: From 2000 to 2002, we performed esophagography with water-siphon (WS) test for 540 patients with typical symptoms and telescopic findings. The results of esophagography were compared with those of 113 patients confirmed with gastroesohageal reflux (GER) and 174 patients without LPR or GER. The results of WS test were classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe according to the degree of reflux. RESULTS: In the WS test of LPR group, 48 patients were normal (8.9%), 166 mild (30.7%), 143 moderate (26.5%) and 183 severe degree of reflux (33.9%). We evaluated moderate and severe degree of reflux as having positive findings of the WS test because mild degree of reflux can be seen in physiologic conditions. In the LPR group, the positive ratio of WS test was 60.4%. In GER group, 12 patients were normal (10.6%), 30 mild (26.5%), 31 moderate (27.7%), 40 severe degree of reflux (35.4%) and 62.8% of positive WS test. In 174 patients without LPR or GER, 73 patients were normal (42.0%), 40 mild (23.0%), 17 moderate (9.8%) and 44 presented severe degree of reflux (25.2%). Fourty-two patients of the 540 LPR group (7.8%) showed esophageal lesions in esophagography. CONCLUSION: In literature, the sensitivity of esophagography is reported as 33%, but reflux provocation using the WS test increases the sensitivity over 60%. Also, esophagography can demonstrate esophageal abnormalities that might otherwise be missed. So we confirmed the effectiveness of esophagography as a strong initial screening test for LPR.
Humans ; Laryngitis ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ; Mass Screening* ; Outpatients ; Voice Disorders

Exercise training is highly correlated with the reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), although it enhanced insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake and glucose transporter expression to reduce severity of diabetic symptoms. This study investigated the impact of short-term swimming exercise on insulin regulation in the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat as a non-obese model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Wistar (W/S) and GK rats were trained 2 hours daily with the swimming exercise for 4 weeks, and then the changes in the metabolism of insulin and glucose were assessed. Body weight was markedly decreased in the exercised GK rats compare to their non-exercised counterpart, while W/S rats did not show any exercise-related changes. Glucose concentration was not changed by exercise, although impaired glucose tolerance was improved in GK rats 120 min after glucose injection. However, insulin concentration was decreased by swimming exercise as in the decrease of GSIS after running exercise. To identify the other cause for exercise-induced insulin down-regulation, the changes in the levels of key factors involved in insulin production (C-peptide) and clearance (insulin-degrading enzyme; IDE) were measured in W/S and GK rats. The C-peptide level was maintained while IDE expression increased markedly. Therefore, these results showed that insulin down-regulation induced by short-term swimming exercise likely attributes to enhanced insulin clearance via IDE over-expression than by altered insulin production.
Animals ; Body Weight ; C-Peptide ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Down-Regulation ; Glucose ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulysin ; Rats ; Running ; Swimming

The drug resistance of microorganisms isolated from laboratory animals never treated with antibiotics is being reported consistently, while the number of laboratory animals used in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, agriculture, nutrition, and environmental and health science has increased rapidly in Korea. Therefore, this study examined the development of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from laboratory animals bred in Korea. A total of 443 isolates (7 species) containing 5 Sphingomonas paucimobilis, 206 Escherichia coli, 60 Staphylococcus aureus, 15 Staphylococcus epidermidis, 77 Enterococcus faecalis, 27 Citrobacter freundii, 35 Acinetobacter baumannii were collected from the nose, intestine, bronchus and reproductive organs of ICR mice and SD rats. Of these species, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterococcus faecalis showed significant antimicrobial resistance according to the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) in E-test. In case of Acinetobacter baumannii, several isolates showed MIC values 16-128 microg/mL for cefazolin and cefoxitin, and higher resistance (128-512 microg/mL) to nitrofurantoin than that of standard type. Resistance to cefazolin, cefoxitin and nitrofurantoin was detected in 17.14, 20.00, and 8.57% of the Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, respectively. In addition, 44.1% of the Enterococcus faecalis isolates collected from the laboratory animals were resistant to oxacillin concentration of 16-32 microg/mL range, while MIC value of standard type was below oxacillin concentration of 6 microg/mL. These results suggest that in rodent species of laboratory animals, Acinetobacter baumannii are resistance to cefazolin, cefoxitin and nitrofurantoin, whereas those of Enterococcus faecalis were resistance to oxacillin.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Agriculture ; Animals ; Animals, Laboratory ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Bronchi ; Cefazolin ; Cefoxitin ; Citrobacter freundii ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Escherichia coli ; Intestines ; Korea ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nitrofurantoin ; Nose ; Oxacillin ; Pharmacy ; Rats ; Rodentia ; Sphingomonas ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Veterinary Medicine

Altered expression of neurotrophic factors as well as neuroinflammation is commonly associated with Major depressive disorder (MDD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). To investigate whether or not reserpine-induced MDD affects the expression of AD-related proteins, the expression of gamma-secretase components and substrate were measured in brains of ICR mice following reserpine treatment for 15 days. In active avoidance test, total response time and peak slightly increased in the 2 mg/kg reserpine (RSP2)-treated group compared to vehicle-treated group (P<0.05). Expression and phosphorylation of MKP-1, which is a key factor in MDD pathology, were both higher in the RSP2-treated group than the vehicle- and 1 mg/kg reserpine (RSP1)-treated groups (P<0.02). Furthermore, full-length expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) was enhanced in the RSP1 and RSP2-treated groups compared to the vehicle-treated group, whereas expression of gamma-secretase components decreased (P<0.03). Among the three components of the gamma-secretase complex, nicastrin protein underwent the largest decrease in expression, as detected by Western blotting (P<0.03). Therefore, the data presented here provide additional evidence about the pathological correlation between MDD and AD.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Models, Animal ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Phosphorylation ; Proteins ; Reaction Time ; Reserpine

In oriental medicine, Liriope platyphylla (LP) has long been regarded as a curative herb useful for the treatment of diabetes, asthma, and neurodegenerative disorders. The principal objective of this study was to assess the effects of steaming time and frequency for manufactured Red LP (RLP) on insulin secretion ability and insulin receptor signaling pathway. To achieve our goal, several types of LPs manufactured under different conditions were applied to INS cells and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic ICR mice, after which alterations in insulin concentrations were detected in the culture supernatants and sera. The optimal concentration for the investigation of insulin secretion ability was found to be 50 ug/mL of LP. At this concentration, maximum insulin secretion was observed in the INS cells treated with LP extract steamed for 3 h (3-SLP) with two repeated steps (3 h steaming and 24 h air-dried) carried out 9 times (9-SALP); no significant changes in viability were detected in any of the treated cells. Additionally, the expression and phosphorylation levels of most components in the insulin receptor signaling pathway were increased significantly in the majority of cells treated with steaming-processed LP as compared to the cells treated with LP prepared without steaming. With regard to glucose transporter (GLUT) expression, alterations of steaming time induced similar responses on the expression levels of GLUT-2 and GLUT-3. However, differences in steaming frequency were also shown to induce dose-dependent responses in the expression level of GLUT-2 only; no significant differences in GLUT-3 expression were detected under these conditions. Furthermore, these responses observed in vitro were similarly detected in STZ-induced diabetic mice. 24-SLP and 9-SALP treatment applied for 14 days induced the down-regulation of glucose concentration and upregulation of insulin concentration. Therefore, these results indicated that the steaming processed LP may contribute to the relief of diabetes symptoms and should be regarded as an excellent candidate for a diabetes treatment.
Animals ; Asthma ; Down-Regulation ; Glucose ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Insulin ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Phosphorylation ; Receptor, Insulin ; Steam ; Streptozocin ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to define the prevalence, demographic data, selection of the medical services and disability of the patients with self-reported arthritis which were based on the data of National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHNS) conducted by Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) and Ministry of Health and Welfare in 1998. MEHTODS: By a stratified multistage probability sampling method, 200 sample districts which consisted of total 13,523 households were selected all over the country. The investigation started with a basic household survey which was completed in 12,189 households with exclusion of non-kinship family. The Health Interview Survey was subdivided to 5 parts including the basic household survey (n=39,060), the diseases survey (n=26,448), and the disability survey (n=694). RESULTS: An estimated 8.0% of Koreans had some form of self-reported arthritis in 1998 and this proportion was higher than that of other chronic medical conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM) -7.0%, 4.5%, and 2.2%, respectively. Arthritis was more prevalent among people with female, increasing age, lower income (less than 500 thousand \ per month), lower educational attainment (less than 9 years), and lower standard of living. Especially, arthritis ranked first in prevalence as the cause of the chronic disease in the population aged over 45 years, with the prevalence rate of 22.6%. People with arthritis were more likely to report functional limitations such as activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (5.4%), compared with people who had other musculoskeletal diseases, such as low back pain (3.8%), and herniated intervertebral disc (2.8%). The loss of productivity from arthritis was estimated to reach 0.25% of gross domestic product (GDP) amounts to won 1,133 billion per year which was remarkably higher than that of cardiovascular diseases or cancers. CONCLUSION: Arthritis has a major impact on the health profile of our population. High burden of arthritis in our society should be considered as an important factor in planning health care services and setting research priorities.
Activities of Daily Living ; Arthritis* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chronic Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Efficiency ; Epidemiology ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Gross Domestic Product ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intervertebral Disc ; Korea* ; Low Back Pain ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Nutrition Surveys ; Peptic Ulcer ; Prevalence* ; Socioeconomic Factors

Liriope platyphylla is a medical herb that has long been used in Korea and China to treat cough, sputum, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, and diabetes. The aims of this study were to determine the antidiabetic and antiobesity effects of aqueous extract of L. platyphylla (AEtLP) through glucose and lipid regulation in both pre-diabetes and obesity stage of type II diabetes model. Two concentrations of AEtLP were orally administrated to OLETF (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty) rats once a day for 2 weeks, after which changes in glucose metabolism and fat accumulation were measured. Abdominal fat mass dramatically decreased in AEtLP-treated OLETF rats, whereas glucose concentration slightly decreased in all AEtLP-treated rats. However, compared to vehicle-treated OLETF rats, only AEtLP10 (10% concentration)-treated OLETF rats displayed significant induction of insulin production, whereas AEtLP5 (5% concentration)-treated OLETF rats showed a lower level of insulin. Although serum adiponectin level increased in only AEtLP5-treated rats, significant alteration of lipid concentration was detected in AEtLP5-treated OLETF rats. Expression of Glut-1 decreased in all AEtLP-treated rats, whereas Akt phosphorylation increased only in AEtLP10-treated OLETF rats. Furthermore, the pattern of Glut-3 expression was very similar with that of Glut-1 expression, which roughly corresponded with the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-teminal kinase (JNK) and p38 in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Therefore, these findings suggest that AEtLP should be considered as a therapeutic candidate during pre-diabetes and obesity stage capable of inducing insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells, glucose uptake in liver cells, as well as a decrease in fat and lipid accumulation.
Abdominal Fat ; Adiponectin ; Animals ; China ; Cough ; Glucose ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Insulin ; Korea ; Liver ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Obesity ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred OLETF ; Sputum

Liriope platyphylla (LP) has long been regarded as a curative herb for the treatment of diabetes, asthma, and neurodegenerative disorders. To examine the therapeutic effects of Red LP (RLP) manufactured by steaming process on neurodegenerative disorders, significant alteration of the key factors influencing Alzheimer's Disease (AD) was detected in NSE/hAPPsw transgenic (Tg) mice after RLP treatment. The concentration of nerve growth factor (NGF) in serum increased in RLP-treated NSE/hAPPsw Tg mice compared with vehicle-treated Tg mice. However, downstream effectors of the NGF receptor signaling pathway, including TrkA and p75NTR proteins, were suppressed in RLP-treated NSE/hAPPsw Tg mice. Especially, Tg mice showed decreased levels of TrkA, p75NTR, and RhoA expression. Production of Abeta-42 peptides was lower in RLP-treated NSE/hAPPsw Tg mice than in vehicle-treated Tg mice. Further, analysis of gamma-secretase components showed that Abeta-42 peptide expression was downregulated. Of the four components, the expression of APH-1 and Nicastrin (NCT) decreased in RLP-treated NSE/hAPPsw Tg mice, whereas expression of PS-2 and Pen-2 was maintained or increased within the same group. Overall, these results suggest that RLP can help relieve neurodegenerative diseases, especially AD, through upregulation of NGF secretion ability, activation of NGF signaling pathway, downregulation of Abeta-42 peptide deposition, and alteration of gamma-secretase components.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; Animals ; Asthma ; Down-Regulation ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Peptides ; Proteins ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor ; Steam ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is little information about the relationship between the Doppler flow of the ophthalmic artery (OA) and carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of the investigation was to assess the clinical usefulness of the Doppler flow of the OA to estimate the severity of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective analysis of the findings in 140 patients (mean age: 60 years, male: 64%) who underwent coronary angiography (CA) for the evaluation of typical angina between July 2010 and October 2011 in our single center. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was based on the Gensini score (GS). Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as the obstruction of over 75% of the major coronary arteries confirmed with CA. The pulsed Doppler flow of the OA and carotid ultrasound were performed before CA. RESULTS: The mean systolic velocity/mean diastolic velocity (MSV/MDV), pulsatile index and resistance index in the Doppler flow of the OA were identified as significant and independent correlations with carotid intima-media thickness, and MSV/MDV was identified to have a significant and independent correlation with the GS. MSV/MDV >2.1 was the independent predictor for significant CAD {odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-9.7, p=0.005} and carotid plaque (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.0, p=0.028), after adjustment for CAD-associated factors. CONCLUSION: The Doppler flow of the OA might be a useful predictor of the severity of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Male ; Ophthalmic Artery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

Peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) is a member of the peroxiredoxins (Prxs) family, which are antioxidant enzymes that regulate various cellular process via intracellular oxidative signal pathways. In order to investigate the correlation between Prx I and the gamma-secretase complex, which causes Alzheimer's disease (AD), the expression level of Prx I was firstly evaluated in an animal model for AD. NSE/hPen-2 transgenic (Tg) mice, which were used as animal model in this study, showed a high level of Pen-2 expression and accumulation of Abeta-42 peptides in the hippocampus of brain. The expression level of Prx I was significantly higher on the mRNA and protein level in the brain of this model, while not change in Prx VI expression was observed. Furthermore, to verify the effect of Prx I on the gamma-secretase components in vitro, the expression level of these components was analyzed in the Prx I transfectants. Of the components of the gamma-secretase complex, the expression of PS-2 and Pen-2 was lower in the transfectants overexpressing Prx I compared to the vector transfectants. However, the expression of APP, NCT and APH-1 did not change in Prx I transfectants. Therefore, these results suggested that the expression of Prx I may be induced by the accumulation of Abeta-42 peptides and the overexpression of Prx I in neuroblastoma cells may regulate the expression of gamma-secretase components.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; Animals ; Brain ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Neuroblastoma ; Peptides ; Peroxiredoxins ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction