The purpose of this study was to confirm the anti-tumor activity of an ethanol extract of Saussurea laniceps against pancreatic tumor and to isolate the active compound from S.laniceps extract. Treatment with S.laniceps extract and hispidulin inhibited proliferation of pancreatic cell lines, such as Capan-1, Capan-2, Panc-1 and S2-013 in a dose-dependent manner using the hollow fiber assay. Hispidulin showed typical hallmarks of apoptotic cell death a significant anti-tumor activity on Capan-2 cells at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg. S.laniceps has potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human pancreatic carcinoma cells. Its mechanism of action might be associated with the apoptotic cell death through DNA fragmentation.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; DNA Fragmentation ; Ethanol ; Humans ; Pancreas* ; Saussurea*

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to assess the usage of an in vivo hollow fiber assay to screen drugs with highly predictive accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The assay systems used were the hollow fiber and xenografts assays. The hollow fiber assay was carried out with the following steps; preparation of fibers, preparation of cells, loading and implanting fibers, treatment with drugs, removal of fibers and assaying for the cell viability by the MTT assay. For the xenografts assay, cell suspensions were subcutaneously transplanted into the mice. Therapy was started when the tumor volume reached 100~200 mm3. The tumor volumes were calculated using the formula V=[length+(width)2]/2, and used for evaluating the efficacy of the drugs. The drug treatment doses used were adriamycin 2.1 mg/kg, mitomycin-C 0.25 mg/kg, 5-fluo-rouracil 24.5 mg/kg and paclitaxel 2.5 mg/kg, and administrated intravenously five times daily. RESULTS: The correlation between the xenografts and hollow fiber assays was evaluated in 20 tumor cell lines and 4 anti-cancer agents. In the 20 tumor cell lines, the overall predictive accuracy of the hollow fiber assay for sensitivity was 83%, with a predictive accuracy for resistance of 92%. CONCLUSION: The hollow fiber assay was assessed as effective in drug efficacy evaluation, and found to be compatible with that of the xenografts assay.
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical* ; Heterografts* ; Mice ; Mitomycin ; Paclitaxel ; Suspensions ; Tumor Burden

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma(MFH) arising from the pericranium which extend to the calvaria and the dura mater in a 32-year-old man is reported. This tumor presented as scalp induration and headache without any other neurologic abnormalities. Radical excision presented a surgical challenge because of the extensiveness of the lesion. In this case radical excision of pericranial and calvarial lesions were possible, however it is impossible to remove the lesion in the dura mater radically because of its extensiveness. Thus the radiation therapy was necessary after operation. Histologically, pericranial, calvarial and dura mater tumor tissues were same as that of the typical malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the soft tissue. The authors review the literatures of the MFH involving central nerve systems and discuss the management and the radiologic findings of this rare tumor.
Adult ; Dura Mater ; Headache ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* ; Humans ; Scalp ; Skull

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stiffening of the aorta is a potential risk factor for increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Increased aortic stiffness can be associated with an increased left ventricular (LV) mass and diastolic dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship of the aortic stiffness to the LV hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 188 consecutive patients, without overt cardiovascular disease or symptoms, were included. The LV mass and diastolic filling patterns were assessed. The aortic strain and distensibility were indirectly obtained from the aortic diameters, using echocardiography and blood pressure measurements. RESULTS: Of the 188 patients (92 males, 54+/-14 years old), hypertension was found in 57 and diabetes in 29, with both found in 32 patients. The aortic strain (3.77+/-2.42 vs. 5.13+/-4.27, p<0.001) and distensibility (0.11+/-0.09 vs. 0.22+/-0.21, p<0.001) were significantly lower, but the LV mass index (112.5+/-39.2 vs. 87.8+/-19.0 gm/m2, p<0.001) higher, in the hypertensive compared to normotensive patients. Also, the aortic strain (3.07+/-2.42 vs. 5.18+/-4.01, p<0.001) and distensibility (0.10+/-0.12 vs. 0.21+/-0.20, p<0.001) were lower in patients with LVH. The E/E' ratio was higher in the hypertensive patients (10.9+/-5.0 vs. 8.1+/-3.1, p<0.001) and in those with LVH (10.8+/-5.6 vs. 8.4+/-3.2, p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, the parameters closely related with aortic strain were age (standardized coefficient beta=-0.240, p=0.001), LV mass index (beta=-0.158, p=0.025) and IVRT (beta=-0.155, p=0.035). The parameters significantly related with aortic distensibility were age (beta=-0.344, p<0.001) and LV mass index (beta=-0.224, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased aortic stiffness is associated with an increased LV mass and diastolic abnormality.
Aorta ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Male ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Stiffness*

Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is characterized by distinctive skin lesions on the hand, foot, and mouth and in general, recovery occurs within one week. However, in cases of HFMD by enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, the development of neurologic complications such as brainstem encephalitis, acute flaccid paralysis, and aseptic meningitis has been common. Moreover, it has been reported that some patients with neuologic complications have expired in severe cases. Here, we report a case of EV71 infection presented with acute flaccid paralysis of a single similar to paralytic poliomyelitis.
Animals ; Brain Stem ; Encephalitis ; Enterovirus ; Enterovirus A, Human ; Foot ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease ; Hand ; Humans ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Mouth ; Paralysis ; Poliomyelitis ; Skin

Although the majority of abnormal bleeding during the neonatal period results from acquired coagulation disorders, inherited coagulation disorders can also manifest at this time. Hemophilia is the most common of inherited coagulation disorder. Although 40-70% of cases with hemophilia are diagnosed in the neonatal period, few cases have been reported in premature infants. We report a case of a premature infant born at 31 weeks of gestation, diagnosed with hemophilia A by blood coagulation test, coagulation factor assay and study of the F8 gene. The baby was treated with recombinant factor VIII (Recombinate(R), USA) because of repeated seizures and intramuscular hematoma.
Blood Coagulation Disorders, Inherited ; Blood Coagulation Factors ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Factor VIII ; Hematoma ; Hemophilia A ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Seizures

Ruptured aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are relatively rare, and the incidence seems to be higher in oriental than in western countries. Valsalva sinus aneurysm consists of a separation or lack of fusion behveen the media of the aorta and the annus fibrosis of the aortic valve. Rupture usually occurs in the third or fourth decade of life, most often between the right coronary cusp and the right ventricle, but occasionally, when the noncoronary cusp is involved, the fistular drains into the right atrium. Abrupt rupture causes chest pain, bounding pulses, a continuous murmur, and volume overload of the heart. Associated cardiac lesions are common including VSD and AR. We experienced a typical case of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva into RA in a 31 year-old man presented sith sudden dyspnea, chest pain and palpitation. Diagnosis was made by 2D-echocardiography, cardiac catheterization and cine-angiogram. This case, the aneurysm was originated from the noncoronary sinus and ruptured into right atriurn. The ruptured aneurysm were repaired mth Dacron patch.
Adult ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured* ; Aorta ; Aortic Valve ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Fibrosis ; Heart ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Incidence ; Polyethylene Terephthalates ; Rupture ; Sinus of Valsalva*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The identification of significant coronary arterial disease (CAD) is important to reduce perioperative ischemic insult and the possibility of repeated open-chest surgery in patients scheduled to undergo valvular surgery. However, there are no published data on the incidence of significant CAD in these patients. Thus, we examined the prevalence of significant CAD in patients scheduled to undergo valvular surgery. METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2011, all consecutive adult patients diagnosed with significant valvular disease and scheduled for an elective open valvular operation were retrospectively investigated at Chungnam National University Hospital and Chonbuk National University Hospital. Patients who underwent emergent valvular operations due to acute aortic dissection or trauma and concomitant valvular operations at the time of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery were excluded. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 431 patients (58 +/- 13 years old, 204 males) were included. The distributions of mitral (241 patients) and aortic valvular disease (230 patients) were similar. Coronary angiography was performed in 297 patients (68.9%). Of these, 36 (12.1%) showed significant CAD and 32 underwent concomitant CABG operations. Based on a multivariate analysis, the presence of CAD was significantly associated with old age (> or = 65 years old) [odds ratio (OR) = 3.081, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.372-6.921, p = 0.006], more cardiovascular risk factors (> or = 3) (OR = 3.002, 95% CI = 1.386-6.503, p = 0.005), and the presence of aortic stenosis (OR = 2.763, 95% CI = 1.269-6.013, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of significant CAD was 12.1% in adult patients who underwent valvular operations in Korea. CAD was more common in patients with old age, aortic stenosis, and multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
Adult ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transplants

Cough is one of the most common symptom of many respiratory diseases. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases organized cough guideline committee and cough guideline was developed by this committee. The purpose of this guideline is to help clinicians to diagnose correctly and treat efficiently patients with cough. In this article, we have stated recommendation and summary of Korean cough guideline. We also provided algorithm for acute, subacute, and chronic cough. For chronic cough, upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), cough variant asthma (CVA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be considered. If UACS is suspicious, first generation anti-histamine and nasal decongestant can be used empirically. In CVA, inhaled corticosteroid is recommended in order to improve cough. In GERD, proton pump inhibitor is recommended in order to improve cough. Chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, lung cancer, aspiration, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, habit, psychogenic cough, interstitial lung disease, environmental and occupational factor, tuberculosis, obstructive sleep apnea, peritoneal dialysis, and idiopathic cough can be also considered as cause of chronic cough. Level of evidence for treatment is mostly low. Thus, in this guideline, many recommendations are based on expert opinion. Further study regarding treatment for cough is mandatory.
Asthma ; Bronchiectasis ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchitis, Chronic ; Cough* ; Expert Testimony ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Lung Neoplasms ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Proton Pumps ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Tuberculosis

Asthma ; Bronchitis ; Cohort Studies ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Disease Management ; Eosinophils ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases ; Multivariate Analysis ; Observational Study ; Pregnant Women ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis