Protein expression patterns of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were examined in mouse reproductive organs during estrous cycle. Estrous cycle was classified into diestrus, proestrus, estrus or metestus and MMP expression was analyzed by zymography using gelatin as a substrate. Uterine fluid (UF) obtained both at diestrus and proestrus exhibited 4 major MMPs including 106kDa, 64kDa, 62kDa and 59kDa gelatinases. However, in UF at estrus, the gelatinolytic activity of 64kDa MMP disappeared and that of 106kDa and 62kDa MMPs dramatically decreased. At metestrus, 64kDa MMP activity reappeared and 106kDa and 62kDa MMP exhibited increased activities such that the band intensity of 106kDa was comparable to that in UF at diestrus. Gelatinolytic activity of 59kDa MMP was not changed throughout the cycle. Both ovarian and oviductal tissue homogenate revealed 4 MMPs which corresponded to the 4 MMPs of UF. However, unlike UF MMPs, gelatinolytic activity of these MMPs did not show distinct changes throughout the cycle. Either an inhibitor of MMP, 1, 10-phenanthroline, or a metal chelator, EDTA, abolished the appearance of the above MMP activities in gelatinated gel whereas a serine proteinase inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, failed to inhibit the appearance of MMP activities, proving that gelatinolytic activity of the above reproductive tissues were due to the enzymatic activity of MMP. When gelatinolytic activity of mouse serum was examined, it revealed 5 MMPs (131kDa, 106kDa, 89kDa, 64kDa and 62kDa bands) and one gelatinase (84kDa) band. From these results, it is concluded that the protein expression of MMPs of mouse reproductive organs, particularly uterus, is temporally regulated during estrous cycle and uterine 106kDa, 64kDa and 62kDa MMP,3 are suggested to play an important role in cyclic tissue remodeling of mouse uterus.
Animals ; Diestrus ; Edetic Acid ; Estrous Cycle* ; Estrus ; Female ; Gelatin ; Gelatinases ; Matrix Metalloproteinases* ; Metestrus ; Mice* ; Oviducts ; Phenylmethylsulfonyl Fluoride ; Proestrus ; Serine Proteases ; Uterus

BACKGROUND: The sensitivities and specificities of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) vary among different population studies, and the data on the routine use of IGRAs are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study, enrolling 77 patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), at a secondary care teaching hospital in Seoul. RESULTS: In total, 12 (15.6%) patients showed indeterminate results due to positive control failure on the QFT-GIT test. Indeterminate results were significantly associated with the elderly, history of the intensive care unit stay, lymphocytopenia, especially low CD4 count, increased C-reactive protein and decreased protein levels. Of the 77 patients, 44 (57.1%) were diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis, and the percentage of false negative results of the QFT-GIT was 36.4% (vs. 31.8% with TST). In the TB group with >65 years old (n=12), the proportions of the indeterminate (33.3% vs. 3.1%) and the false negative results (58.3% vs. 25.0%) of the QFT-GIT were significantly higher than in the younger TB group (n=32). CONCLUSION: Indeterminate and false negative results of QFT-GIT test were not infrequent in tuberculosis, especially in the elderly. Care should be considered for the interpretation with the elderly, immunocompromised, chronic and severely diseased patients.
Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Interferon-gamma Release Tests ; Lymphopenia ; Prospective Studies ; Secondary Care ; Tuberculin Test ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (Compositae) is a native herb of East Asian countries and has used for the treatment of jaundice, high liver fever, and digestive diseases for a long time, as well as being developed as the source of herbal preparations until now. The major components from A. capillaris were chlorogenic acid (1) and its derivatives substituted with caffeoyl moieties, such as 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (2) and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3), and coumarins, such as scoparone. In the study, four compounds, chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and scoparone (4) in the 70% ethanolic extract of A. capillaris were simultaneously determined by using HPLC-UVD system. This method was validated with the terms of linearity, precious and accuracy according to ICH guidelines. The developed method was successfully applied for the quantitative analysis of Artemisia genus, A. capillaris, A. iwayomogi, A. princeps, and A. argyi, distributed in Korea.
Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Chlorogenic Acid ; Coumarins ; Ethanol ; Fever ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Korea ; Liver ; Methods ; Plant Preparations

Purpose: This study is evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of Hook plate fixation in acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries and the differences according to the type of plate and whether coracoclavicular (CC) ligament repair had been performed. Materials and Methods: Between February 2008 and November 2022, 112 patients treated with a Hook plate for acute AC joint injuries were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were categorized into DePuy Synthes (n=76) and ARIX Hook plate group (n=36), Hook plate with CC ligament repair group (n=42) and Hook plate fixation only group (n=70). The clinical and radiologic outcomes of Hook plate fixation were evaluated by analyzing the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, coracoclavicular distance (CCD), subacromial erosion and associated surgical complications depending on the different types of Hook plate (DePuy Synthes vs. ARIX clavicle system) and the application of additional CC ligament repair. Results: The median follow-up period after implant removal for the 112 patients was 7.4 months (range, 6.0–124.8 months). The ASES and UCLA scores at the final follow-up were 77.2±6.2 and 31.8±2.3, respectively, and the CCD was 115.5%±28.9% compared to the unaffected side.There were no significant differences in the final VAS score, ASES score, UCLA score, CCD, subacromial erosion and surgical complications between the DePuy Synthes and ARIX Hook plate groups. In addition, there was no difference depending on whether CC ligament repair had been performed. Conclusion Hook plate fixation in acute AC joint injuries showed good clinical and radiological results. It is considered a good surgical method, and there was no difference in the results depending on plate type and CC ligament repair.

Purpose: Medial soft tissue release in knee varus deformities during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is necessary for adequate gap balancing.This study compared the clinical outcomes and complications of subperiosteal elevation (SE) and multiple needle puncturing (MNP) for superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) release and evaluated the effectiveness and safety of MNP. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 152 patients who underwent both TKA and sMCL release for degenerative osteoarthritis with varus alignment; one knee from each patient underwent SE and the other underwent MNP between April 2018 and April 2020. In SE, subperiosteal release was performed on the proximal tibia of the anterior portion of the sMCL using a curved osteotome. For MNP, an 18-gauge needle was used to puncture the sMCL. The clinical outcomes, including knee further flexion (FF), flexion contracture (FC), range of motion (ROM) and Knee Society (KS) scores, were compared. Surgical complications, including sMCL overrelease, were also evaluated. Results: For the SE and MNP groups, the preoperative KS scores (31.05 vs. 31.78), knee alignment (varus angle, 4.22° vs. 3.76°), FF (125.86° vs. 126.48°), FC (6.09° vs. 5.69°) and ROM (119.77° vs. 120.79°) did not differ preoperatively. At one-year follow-up, postoperative KS scores, FF, FC and ROM were similar in the two groups (93.01 vs. 92.64 points; 134.24° vs. 134.64°; 0.36° vs. 0.49°; 133.88° vs. 134.14°;p=0.662, 0.749, 0.493 and 0.835 respectively), and no statistically significant differences in terms of postoperative pain and KS pain score were observed between the two groups (66 vs. 58 patients and 43.31 vs. 43.04 points; p=0.473 and 0.745, respectively). In the SE group, five cases showed intraoperative over-release of the sMCL and a significant difference from the MNP group (p=0.024) but showed no medial instability at the final follow-up. Conclusion Compared with the SE technique, MNP showed no significant difference in the clinical outcomes and fewer complications, such as over-release of the sMCL, and could be a safer alternative to achieve a balanced TKA.

Purpose: This study is evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of Hook plate fixation in acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries and the differences according to the type of plate and whether coracoclavicular (CC) ligament repair had been performed. Materials and Methods: Between February 2008 and November 2022, 112 patients treated with a Hook plate for acute AC joint injuries were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were categorized into DePuy Synthes (n=76) and ARIX Hook plate group (n=36), Hook plate with CC ligament repair group (n=42) and Hook plate fixation only group (n=70). The clinical and radiologic outcomes of Hook plate fixation were evaluated by analyzing the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, coracoclavicular distance (CCD), subacromial erosion and associated surgical complications depending on the different types of Hook plate (DePuy Synthes vs. ARIX clavicle system) and the application of additional CC ligament repair. Results: The median follow-up period after implant removal for the 112 patients was 7.4 months (range, 6.0–124.8 months). The ASES and UCLA scores at the final follow-up were 77.2±6.2 and 31.8±2.3, respectively, and the CCD was 115.5%±28.9% compared to the unaffected side.There were no significant differences in the final VAS score, ASES score, UCLA score, CCD, subacromial erosion and surgical complications between the DePuy Synthes and ARIX Hook plate groups. In addition, there was no difference depending on whether CC ligament repair had been performed. Conclusion Hook plate fixation in acute AC joint injuries showed good clinical and radiological results. It is considered a good surgical method, and there was no difference in the results depending on plate type and CC ligament repair.

Purpose: Medial soft tissue release in knee varus deformities during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is necessary for adequate gap balancing.This study compared the clinical outcomes and complications of subperiosteal elevation (SE) and multiple needle puncturing (MNP) for superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) release and evaluated the effectiveness and safety of MNP. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 152 patients who underwent both TKA and sMCL release for degenerative osteoarthritis with varus alignment; one knee from each patient underwent SE and the other underwent MNP between April 2018 and April 2020. In SE, subperiosteal release was performed on the proximal tibia of the anterior portion of the sMCL using a curved osteotome. For MNP, an 18-gauge needle was used to puncture the sMCL. The clinical outcomes, including knee further flexion (FF), flexion contracture (FC), range of motion (ROM) and Knee Society (KS) scores, were compared. Surgical complications, including sMCL overrelease, were also evaluated. Results: For the SE and MNP groups, the preoperative KS scores (31.05 vs. 31.78), knee alignment (varus angle, 4.22° vs. 3.76°), FF (125.86° vs. 126.48°), FC (6.09° vs. 5.69°) and ROM (119.77° vs. 120.79°) did not differ preoperatively. At one-year follow-up, postoperative KS scores, FF, FC and ROM were similar in the two groups (93.01 vs. 92.64 points; 134.24° vs. 134.64°; 0.36° vs. 0.49°; 133.88° vs. 134.14°;p=0.662, 0.749, 0.493 and 0.835 respectively), and no statistically significant differences in terms of postoperative pain and KS pain score were observed between the two groups (66 vs. 58 patients and 43.31 vs. 43.04 points; p=0.473 and 0.745, respectively). In the SE group, five cases showed intraoperative over-release of the sMCL and a significant difference from the MNP group (p=0.024) but showed no medial instability at the final follow-up. Conclusion Compared with the SE technique, MNP showed no significant difference in the clinical outcomes and fewer complications, such as over-release of the sMCL, and could be a safer alternative to achieve a balanced TKA.

Purpose: This study is evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of Hook plate fixation in acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries and the differences according to the type of plate and whether coracoclavicular (CC) ligament repair had been performed. Materials and Methods: Between February 2008 and November 2022, 112 patients treated with a Hook plate for acute AC joint injuries were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were categorized into DePuy Synthes (n=76) and ARIX Hook plate group (n=36), Hook plate with CC ligament repair group (n=42) and Hook plate fixation only group (n=70). The clinical and radiologic outcomes of Hook plate fixation were evaluated by analyzing the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, coracoclavicular distance (CCD), subacromial erosion and associated surgical complications depending on the different types of Hook plate (DePuy Synthes vs. ARIX clavicle system) and the application of additional CC ligament repair. Results: The median follow-up period after implant removal for the 112 patients was 7.4 months (range, 6.0–124.8 months). The ASES and UCLA scores at the final follow-up were 77.2±6.2 and 31.8±2.3, respectively, and the CCD was 115.5%±28.9% compared to the unaffected side.There were no significant differences in the final VAS score, ASES score, UCLA score, CCD, subacromial erosion and surgical complications between the DePuy Synthes and ARIX Hook plate groups. In addition, there was no difference depending on whether CC ligament repair had been performed. Conclusion Hook plate fixation in acute AC joint injuries showed good clinical and radiological results. It is considered a good surgical method, and there was no difference in the results depending on plate type and CC ligament repair.

Purpose: Medial soft tissue release in knee varus deformities during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is necessary for adequate gap balancing.This study compared the clinical outcomes and complications of subperiosteal elevation (SE) and multiple needle puncturing (MNP) for superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) release and evaluated the effectiveness and safety of MNP. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 152 patients who underwent both TKA and sMCL release for degenerative osteoarthritis with varus alignment; one knee from each patient underwent SE and the other underwent MNP between April 2018 and April 2020. In SE, subperiosteal release was performed on the proximal tibia of the anterior portion of the sMCL using a curved osteotome. For MNP, an 18-gauge needle was used to puncture the sMCL. The clinical outcomes, including knee further flexion (FF), flexion contracture (FC), range of motion (ROM) and Knee Society (KS) scores, were compared. Surgical complications, including sMCL overrelease, were also evaluated. Results: For the SE and MNP groups, the preoperative KS scores (31.05 vs. 31.78), knee alignment (varus angle, 4.22° vs. 3.76°), FF (125.86° vs. 126.48°), FC (6.09° vs. 5.69°) and ROM (119.77° vs. 120.79°) did not differ preoperatively. At one-year follow-up, postoperative KS scores, FF, FC and ROM were similar in the two groups (93.01 vs. 92.64 points; 134.24° vs. 134.64°; 0.36° vs. 0.49°; 133.88° vs. 134.14°;p=0.662, 0.749, 0.493 and 0.835 respectively), and no statistically significant differences in terms of postoperative pain and KS pain score were observed between the two groups (66 vs. 58 patients and 43.31 vs. 43.04 points; p=0.473 and 0.745, respectively). In the SE group, five cases showed intraoperative over-release of the sMCL and a significant difference from the MNP group (p=0.024) but showed no medial instability at the final follow-up. Conclusion Compared with the SE technique, MNP showed no significant difference in the clinical outcomes and fewer complications, such as over-release of the sMCL, and could be a safer alternative to achieve a balanced TKA.

This paper aimed to review currently available cohort studies of subjects with mood disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Using the PubMed and KoreaMed databases, we reviewed eight major cohort studies. Most studies recruited participants with MDD and BD separately, so direct comparison of factors associated with diagnostic changes was difficult. Regular and frequent follow-up evaluations utilizing objective mood ratings and standardized evaluation methods in a naturalistic fashion are necessary to determine detailed clinical courses of mood disorders. Further, biological samples should also be collected to incorporate clinical findings in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. An innovative cohort study that can serve as a platform for translational research for treatment and prevention of mood disorders is critical in determining clinical, psychosocial, neurobiological and genetic factors associated with long-term courses and consequences of mood disorders in Korean patients.
Bipolar Disorder ; Cohort Studies* ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mood Disorders* ; Translational Medical Research