BACKGROUNDGlehnia littoralis, as a traditional herbal medicine to heal various health ailments in East Asia, displays various therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects. However, neuroprotective effects of G. littoralis against cerebral ischemic insults have not yet been addressed. Therefore, in this study, we first examined its neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus using a gerbil model of transient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI).

METHODSGerbils were subjected to TGCI for 5 min. G. littoralis extract (GLE; 100 and 200 mg/kg) was administrated orally once daily for 7 days before ischemic surgery. Neuroprotection was examined by neuronal nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry and Fluoro-Jade B histofluorescence staining. Gliosis was observed by immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1. For neuroprotective mechanisms, immunohistochemistry for superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was done.

RESULTSPretreatment with 200 mg/kg of GLE protected pyramidal neurons in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) area from ischemic insult area (F = 29.770, P < 0.05) and significantly inhibited activations of astrocytes (F = 22.959, P < 0.05) and microglia (F = 44.135, P < 0.05) in the ischemic CA1 area. In addition, pretreatment with GLE significantly increased expressions of SOD1 (F = 28.561, P < 0.05) and BDNF (F = 55.298, P < 0.05) in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the sham- and ischemia-operated groups.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings indicate that pretreatment with GLE can protect neurons from ischemic insults, and we suggest that its neuroprotective mechanism may be closely associated with increases of SOD1 and BDNF expressions as well as attenuation of glial activation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric schwannomas are rare benign mesenchymal tumors that are difficult to differentiate from other mesenchymal tumors with malignant potential, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristic findings of gastric schwannomas via endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the EUS findings of 27 gastric schwannoma cases that underwent surgical excision at Pusan National University Hospital during 2007 to 2014. RESULTS: Gastric schwannomas were mainly located in the middle third of the stomach with a mean tumor size of 32 mm. All lesions exhibited hypoechoic echogenicity, and 24 lesions (88.9%) exhibited heterogeneous echogenicity. Seventeen lesions (63.0%) exhibited decreased echogenicity compared to the normal proper muscle layer. Distinct borders were observed in 24 lesions (88.9%), lobulated margins were observed in six lesions (22.2%), and marginal haloes were observed in 24 lesions (88.9%). Hyperechogenic spots were observed in 21 lesions (77.8%), calcifications were observed in one lesion (3.7%), and cystic changes were observed in two lesions (7.4%). CONCLUSIONS: During EUS, gastric schwannomas appear as heterogeneously hypoechoic lesions with decreased echogenicity compared to the normal proper muscle layer. These features may be helpful for differentiating gastric schwannomas from other mesenchymal tumors.
Busan ; Endosonography ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Neurilemmoma* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach

The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a national program designed to assess the health and nutritional status of the noninstitutionalized population of South Korea. The KNHANES was initiated in 1998 and has been conducted annually since 2007. Starting in the latter half of 2008, ophthalmologic examinations were included in the survey in order to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of common eye diseases such as visual impairment, refractive errors, strabismus, blepharoptosis, cataract, pterygium, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye disease, and color vision deficiency. The measurements included in the ophthalmic questionnaire and examination methods were modified in the KNHANES IV, V, and VI. In this article, we provide detailed information about the methodology of the ophthalmic examinations in KNHANES in order to aid in further investigations related to major eye diseases in South Korea.
*Epidemiologic Methods ; Eye Diseases/*epidemiology ; Humans ; Nutrition Surveys/*statistics & numerical data ; Ophthalmology/*methods ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; *Surveys and Questionnaires

The accessory middle cerebral artery (MCA) is an anomalous vessel which arises from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and runs through the Sylvian fissure along with the normal MCA. Here we present a case of acute cerebral infarction in a patient with stenosis of the accessory MCA. The accessory MCA, which originated from the proximal A1 segment of the ACA, had severe focal stenosis in its proximal part and the ischemic lesions were in the frontal subcortical white matter. This case illustrates the anomalous vessel and its territory, the atheromatous vascular change, and the related ischemic insults.
Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Cerebral Infarction ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Middle Cerebral Artery

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report on preliminary data regarding the prevalence of major eye diseases in Korea. METHODS: We obtained data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nation-wide cross-sectional survey and examinations of the non-institutionalized civilian population in South Korea (n = 14,606), conducted from July 2008 to December 2009. Field survey teams included an ophthalmologist, nurses, and interviewers, traveled with a mobile examination unit and performed interviews and ophthalmologic examinations. RESULTS: The prevalence of visual impairment, myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in participants over 5 years of age was 0.4 +/- 0.1%, 53.7 +/- 0.6%, 10.7 +/- 0.4%, and 58.0 +/- 0.6%, respectively. The prevalence of strabismus and blepharoptosis in participants over 3 years of age was 1.5 +/- 0.1% and 11.0 +/- 0.8%, respectively. In participants over 40 years of age, the prevalence of cataract, pterygium, early and late age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma was 40.2 +/- 1.3%, 8.9 +/- 0.5%, 5.1 +/- 0.3%, 0.5 +/- 0.1%, 13.4 +/- 1.5%, and 2.1 +/- 0.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first nation-wide epidemiologic study conducted in South Korea for assessment of the prevalence of eye diseases by both the Korean Ophthalmologic Society and the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This study will provide preliminary information for use in further investigation, prevention, and management of eye diseases in Korea.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eye Diseases/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys/*statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Young Adult

Acute ischemic stroke is often the first manifestation of essential thrombocythemia (ET). We report two cases of acute ischemic stroke in patients with ET who suffered acute thrombus formation in a large cerebral artery with related cortical infarction. We suggest that platelet aggregation and its distal embolization may occur in large intracranial arteries in patients with ET.
Arteries ; Blood Platelets ; Cerebral Arteries ; Humans ; Infarction ; Platelet Aggregation ; Stroke ; Thrombocythemia, Essential ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was usually performed by the batch assay. To improve the efficiency of RIA without increase of the cost and time, random assay could be a choice. We investigated the possibility of the random assay using automatic dispenser by assessing the agreement between batch assay and random assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiments were performed with four items; Triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (fT4), Prostate specific antigen (PSA), Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). In each item, the sera of twenty patients, the standard, and the control samples were used. The measurements were done 4 times with 3 hour time intervals by random assay and batch assay. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the standard samples and patients' data in T3, fT4, PSA, and CEA were assessed. ICC (Intraclass correlation coefficient) and coefficient of correlation were measured to assessing the agreement between two methods. RESULTS: The CVs (%) of T3, fT4, PSA, and CEA measured by batch assay were 3.2+/-1.7%, 3.9+/-2.1%, 7.1+/-6.2%, 11.2+/-7.2%. The CVs by random assay were 2.1+/-1.7%, 4.8+/-3.1%, 3.6+/-4.8%, and 7.4+/-6.2%. The ICC between the batch assay and random assay were 0.9968 (T3), 0.9973 (fT4), 0.9996 (PSA), and 0.9901 (CEA). The coefficient of correlation between the batch assay and random assay were 0.9924(T3), 0.9974 (fT4), 0.9994 (PSA), and 0.9989 (CEA) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of random assay showed strong agreement with the batch assay in a day. These results suggest that random assay using automatic dispenser could be used in radioimmunoassay.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Humans ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Radioimmunoassay ; Thyroxine ; Triiodothyronine

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The ultimate goal of antiviral therapy using interferon/pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin in chronic C-viral hepatitis is to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Several studies have shown that the reappearance rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum after the achievement of an SVR is less than 1%; the durability of an SVR in Korean patients is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the durability of the virologic response in chronic hepatitis C patients with an SVR to antiviral therapy. METHODS: A total of 156 patients who were treated successfully with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin were evaluated retrospectively. Patients received either subcutaneous conventional interferon alpha 3x10(6) units three times a week or subcutaneous pegylated interferon (alpha-2a: 180 microgram, alpha-2b: 80-100 microgram) once a week in combination with ribavirin at 600-1,200 mg daily (depending on body weight). Patients with HCV genotype 1 were treated for 48 weeks, whereas those with non-genotype 1 were treated for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients underwent treatment with conventional interferon and ribavirin, whereas 74 patients were treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. An SVR was achieved in 73 patients (73/156, 46.8%). HCV RNA reappeared in eight patients (8/73, 11.0%; detected by qualitative PCR), including one patient with persistent viremia (1/73, 1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Reappearance of HCV RNA after earlier achievement of an SVR might appear more frequently than previously reported. Close follow-up of these patients is recommended and the implication of temporary viremia should be determined in the future.
Adult ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon Alfa-2a/*therapeutic use ; Interferon-alpha/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols/*therapeutic use ; RNA, Viral/metabolism ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribavirin/*therapeutic use ; Viremia/drug therapy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and results of the treatment with the radiofrequency electrothermal shrinkage in the patients with symptomatic knee instability caused by anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) partial tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with pains or instability of the knee caused by ACL partial tears were treated with the radiofrequency electrothermal shrinkage and followed for an average 19 months (range, 15 to 24 months). Inclusive criteria for this study included 1+ or negative in pivot-shift test, a side-to-side arthrometric difference less than 5 mm and structural integrity of the ACL more than 75% by arthroscopic inspection. Preoperative physical examination, Lysholm knee score and Tegner activity score were compared with postoperative ones. RESULTS: Preoperative Lachman test was positive in all cases and preoperative pivot-shift test was in 7 cases. Preoperative Telos stress radiographs revealed a mean side-to-side difference of 3.6 mm (2~5 mm). A mean preoperative Lysholm and Tegner score were 68.4 (44~90) and 3.1 (1~4) respectively. The other 4 patients had 1+ instability in Lachman test and two of the 4 patients also had 1+ finding in pivot-shift test. A mean postoperative Lysholm and Tegner score were 89.1 (75~99) and 6.3 (4~7) respectively. And a mean postoperative Telos stress radiographs was 4.0 mm (2~7 mm). CONCLUSION: The treatment using radiofrequency shrinkage for symptomatic ACL partial tears is helpful to relieve the symptoms, especially pain and recover functional activity. And it is important to have narrow indication and strict POP care to achieve good results.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Humans ; Knee ; Physical Examination

Liver cirrhosis is one of the major complications of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but the mechanisms underlying HCV-related fibrogenesis are still not clear. Although the roles of HCV core protein remain poorly understood, it is supposed to play an important role in the regulation of cellular growth and hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the role of HCV core protein on the hepatic fibrogenesis. We established an in vitro co-culture system with primary hepatic stellate cell (HSC) isolated from rats, and a stable HepG2-HCV core cell line which had been transfected with HCV core gene. The expressions of fibrosis-related molecules transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), transforming growth factor b receptor II (TGF beta RII), alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were analyzed via histological or molecular methods. In addition, the expression levels of matrix metaloprotinase-2 (MMP-2) and collagen type I (Col I) from the co-cultured media were measured by zymogram and ELISA, respectively. The expressions of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, Col I, TGF beta RII and MMP-2 were significantly increased in the co-culture of stable HepG2-HCV core with HSC. Moreover, the significant increases of CTGF and TGF-beta1 in the HCV core-expressing cells were observed by either Northern or Western blot analysis. These results suggest that HCV core protein may contribute to the hepatic fibrogenesis via up-regulation of CTGF and TGF-beta1.
Actins/metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Collagen Type I/metabolism ; Gelatinase A/metabolism ; Immediate-Early Proteins/*biosynthesis ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/*biosynthesis ; Liver/metabolism/*pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis/*metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/*metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Viral Core Proteins/genetics/*metabolism