BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To examine the chemopreventive effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on oral cavity cancer, we investigated the apoptosis of oral cavity cancer cells by EGb 761 and the apoptotic pathway involved. MATERIALS AND METHOD: SCC 1483 cancer cell line derived from a human retromolar trigone carcinoma was used. Inhibition of proliferation was examined by proliferation assay. Apoptosis was measured and confirmed by flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation assay and Western blotting with PARP antibodies. The involvement of the caspase cascade was investigated by co-treating with the caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk. RESULTS: The inhibition of SCC 1483 cells was noted from 250 microgram/ml of EGb 761. Apoptosis was observed after 24 hours of incubation with 250 microgram/ml EGb 761 and it occurred in a time-dependent manner. Apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation and PARP cleavage. Co-treatment with z-VAD-fmk inhibited apoptosis and PARP cleavage by EGb 761. CONCLUSIONS: EGb 761 induces the apoptosis of SCC 1483 cells and the caspase cascade is involved in this apoptosis. Therefore, EGb 761 may be used as a chemopreventive agent in oral cavity cancer. Further studies are required on the clinical use of EGb 761.
Antibodies ; Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Caspases ; Cell Line ; DNA Fragmentation ; Flow Cytometry ; Ginkgo biloba* ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Mouth*

Candesartan and olmesartan are angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) used for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. Quantitation methods for candesartan and olmesartan were developed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry following protein precipitation. Candesartan was separated using 5 mM ammonium formate (A) and 100% acetonitrile (B) and olmesartan was separated using 2 mM ammonium formate with 0.1% formic acid (A) and 100% acetonitrile (B). Separation was performed using an isocratic method with a Thermo hypersil GOLD C18 column. Electrospray ionization was used for analyte ionization and detection of candesartan, olmesartan, and the internal standards by multiple reaction monitoring. Developed method showed excellent linearity (r > 0.99) in the concentration range of 2–500 ng/mL for candesartan and 5–2,500 ng/mL for olmesartan. were 86.70–108.8% for candesartan and 87.87–112.6% for olmesartan. These methods were able to successfully measure plasma candesartan or olmesartan concentrations in hypertensive patients. This study can be used for pharmacokinetic studies of candesartan or olmesartan in humans.

Fabry's disease is a rare, inborn error, sex-linked disorder of glycosphingolipid metabolism with death occurring from myocardial or renal involvement at 4th or 5th decades. The primary metabolic defect lies in the deficient tissue activity of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A which results in progressive accumulation of the specific neutral glycosphingolipids, cerebroside dihexoside(CDH) and cerebroside triihexoside(CTH), within the lysosomes of endothelial, perithelial and smooth muscle cells of the cardiovascular and renal systems predominantly. Clinical manifestations are sequelae of the anatomic and physiologic alterations produced by the progressive deposition of glycosphingolipid in the tissues. We report the first case of successful renal transplantation in a patient with Fabry's disease in Korea. The patient was a 33-year-old male. Fabry's disease was confirmed by measurement of serum alpha- galactosidase level and renal biopsy. Biopsy finding showed lamellar inclusion bodies on electron microscopy. Galactosidase activity was also markedly decreased. He has been well for 49 months.
Adult ; alpha-Galactosidase ; Biopsy ; Fabry Disease* ; Galactosidases ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Korea ; Lysosomes ; Male ; Metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Neutral Glycosphingolipids ; Transplantation

Fabry's disease is a rare, inborn error, sex-linked disorder of glycosphingolipid metabolism with death occurring from myocardial or renal involvement at 4th or 5th decades. The primary metabolic defect lies in the deficient tissue activity of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A which results in progressive accumulation of the specific neutral glycosphingolipids, cerebroside dihexoside(CDH) and cerebroside triihexoside(CTH), within the lysosomes of endothelial, perithelial and smooth muscle cells of the cardiovascular and renal systems predominantly. Clinical manifestations are sequelae of the anatomic and physiologic alterations produced by the progressive deposition of glycosphingolipid in the tissues. We report the first case of successful renal transplantation in a patient with Fabry's disease in Korea. The patient was a 33-year-old male. Fabry's disease was confirmed by measurement of serum alpha- galactosidase level and renal biopsy. Biopsy finding showed lamellar inclusion bodies on electron microscopy. Galactosidase activity was also markedly decreased. He has been well for 49 months.
Adult ; alpha-Galactosidase ; Biopsy ; Fabry Disease* ; Galactosidases ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Korea ; Lysosomes ; Male ; Metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Neutral Glycosphingolipids ; Transplantation

Suaeda asparagoides (Miq.) has long been used as a Korean folk herbal medicine for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, reports on its pharmacological activity on gastrointestinal motility are scarce. The present study investigated the effects of Suaeda asparagoides water fraction of the extract (SAWF) on antral motility in vitro. Muscle strips from rat gastric antrum were set up in an organ bath in a circular orientation. SAWF (100 microg/mL) inhibited the spontaneous contraction of antral circular muscle strips. These inhibitory effects were not significantly affected by tetrodotoxin (1 microM), N omega-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (100 microM), 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one (10 microM), ryanodine (10 microM) and phentolamine (10 microM). SAWF-induced inhibition was mostly restored by cyclopiazonic acid (10 microM). Furthermore, the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, propranolol (10 microM), abolished SAWF-induced inhibition. These results suggest that SAWF may exert its activity on gastrointestinal smooth muscle via a-adrenergic receptors and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase.
Animals ; Baths ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; Carbamates ; Chenopodiaceae ; Contracts ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Herbal Medicine ; Indoles ; Muscle, Smooth ; Muscles ; Organometallic Compounds ; Orientation ; Oxadiazoles ; Phentolamine ; Propranolol ; Pyloric Antrum ; Quinoxalines ; Rats ; Ryanodine ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; Tetrodotoxin ; Water

With advancements in complex repairs in neonates with complicated congenital heart diseases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been increasingly used as cardiac support. ECMO has also been increasingly used for low birth weight (LBW) or very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. However, since prematurity and LBW are risk factors for ECMO, the appropriate indications for neonates with LBW, especially VLBW, are under dispute. We report a case of ECMO performed in a 1,360-g premature infant with VLBW due to cardiopulmonary bypass weaning failure after repairing infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Dissent and Disputes ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn* ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Risk Factors ; Scimitar Syndrome* ; Weaning

A 50-year-old female patient with visual disturbances was referred for further evaluation of a heart murmur. Fundoscopy revealed a Roth spot in both eyes. A physical examination showed peripheral signs of infective endocarditis, including Osler nodes, Janeway lesions, and splinter hemorrhages. Our preoperative diagnosis was subacute bacterial endocarditis with severe aortic regurgitation. The patient underwent aortic valve replacement and was treated with intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks postoperatively. The patient made a remarkable recovery and was discharged without complications. We report this case of subacute endocarditis with all 4 classic peripheral signs in a patient who presented with visual disturbance.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Aortic Valve ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Diagnosis ; Endocarditis ; Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial* ; Female ; Heart Murmurs ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination

Activities of Daily Living ; Animals ; Cats ; Humans ; Information Services ; Multivariate Analysis ; Outpatients ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Sputum ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) is a validated, eight-item questionnaire used to quantify the health status of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the CAT questionnaire as a tool to assess the response to treatment in acute exacerbations of COPD in an outpatient setting. METHODS: A multicenter, phase 3 randomized controlled trial was conducted previously to examine the efficacy and safety of oral zabofloxacin for the treatment of COPD exacerbations. In the present post hoc analysis of the original study, patients with COPD exacerbation were categorized as responders or non-responders according to the respiratory symptoms persisting on day 10 (visit 3) of treatment. The CAT questionnaire was completed daily by patients at home from the initial visit to the second visit on day 5. Subsequently, the questionnaire was completed in the presence of a physician on days 10 (visit 3) and 36 (visit 4). Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the association between CAT scores and the therapeutic response. RESULTS: The CAT scores decreased more rapidly in responders compared to non-responders during the first 5 days (23.3–20.4 vs. 23.5–22). Among responders, patients with higher severity of illness also revealed higher CAT scores on the first day of an exacerbation (mild, 19.8; moderate, 21.4; severe, 23.8; very severe, 28.6). Multivariate analysis revealed that a change in the CAT score during the first 3 days influenced the therapeutic response. A significant decrease in scores in the domains of sputum production, chest tightness, and activities of daily living was seen among responders. CONCLUSION Early improvement in CAT scores may be associated with a more favorable response to the treatment of COPD exacerbations.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01658020TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0000532

The purpose of this study is to identify standardized items from Hospital Discharge Abstract and Analysis data by using UHDDS(Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Sets in USA) and to ascertain the computerization in tertiary hospitals. The data were collected by questionnaire survey, responded 38 hospitals(86.4%) out of 44 tertiary hospitals, and the conclusions are as follows. 1. As for the general characteristics of patient; hospital registration number, patient name, sex and social identification number were reported to 0.92%. 2. As for admission and discharge aspects; admission date was showed 0.92, type of admission and insurance were 0.87%, discharge date 0.92%, the code of primary condition, other diagnoses and primary procedure were 0.89%, disposition of discharge was 0.61%. 3. As for the other characteristics; attending physician license number and name of operating physician were showed 0.87%, birth weight of newborn 0.74%, nationality 0.44%. 4. As for the order communicating system, computerization for the medical record management was showed 57.9%, administration of outpatient 53.6%, administration of inpatient 44.7%, administration of emergency care 28.9%. Judging from the study, the development of Korean Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Sets using Discharge Abstract and Analysis System is applicable to the national wide collection of statistics on the diseases for the discharged patients.
Birth Weight ; Computer Systems ; Dataset ; Diagnosis ; Emergency Medical Services ; Ethnic Groups ; Feasibility Studies* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Inpatients ; Insurance ; Licensure ; Medical Records ; Outpatients ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Social Identification ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Tertiary Healthcare*