We isolated Triton X-100 solubilized protein (TSP) antigen which may be preferentially associated with the cell wall of M. tuberculosis. In this study, the proliferative activities and cytokine mRNA expression patterns of the TSP antigen were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and lymph node mononuclear cells (LNMCs) from 4 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis. The results of the TSP antigen were compared with those of the PPD antigen, known as a major seretory protein antigen of M. tuberculosis. The peak proliferative response to the TSP by PBMCs was observed at 0.1 ug/ml, whereas that of LNMCs was at 1.0 ug/ml. All of the patients showed greater blastogenic responses for the PPD than those for the TSP. IFN-r, IL-2, and IL-2Ru mRNA production from PBMCs after stimulation with the TSP were greatly augmented after 48 hrs, whereas IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA were gradually suppressed. In addition, high levels of IL-12 p40 mRNA were detected by PBMCs to the TSP antigen at 3 hrs. Elevated IFN-r and IL-2 mRNA production were observed in freshly isolated LNMCs, whereas IL-4 mRNA production was undetectable in either freshly isolated or mycobacterial antigen-stimulated LNMCs. Furthermore, IL-10 mRNA expression from LNMCs was markedly increased by the PPD antigen, but it was considerably reduced by the TSP antigen after 18 hrs. These data suggest that the TSP antigen may be a strong inducer of cytokine mRNA such as IFN-r, IL-2, and IL-12 which are involved in Thl cell and macrophage activation, and inhibit IL-10 mRNA production in LNMCs. In conclusion, the TSP antigen can be used as a preferential Thl cell immunogen in tuberculous lymphadenitis.
Cell Wall ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Lymph Nodes* ; Macrophage Activation ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Octoxynol ; RNA, Messenger* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node*

PURPOSE: Contrast media-induced nephropathy (CIN) following coronary angiography is associated with an increased mortality and morbidity. We investigated the incidence of nephrotoxicity, clinical characteristics, laboratory characteristics and risk factors of CIN in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 555 patients who had undergone coronary angiography at the Sanggye Paik Hospital, from January 2004 to December 2005. We defined CIN as any increase in the creatinine value of more than 0.5 mg/dL or 50% of baseline value. RESULTS: Among 555 patients, CIN developed in 10 of 48 patients (20.8%) with renal insufficiency (serum creatinine > or =1.4 mg/dL) and in 7 of 507 patients (1.4%) without renal insufficiency (p<0.001). Decreased renal function, congestive heart failure, higher baseline uric acid, lower baseline albumin and age > or =65 years were the significant predictors of CIN. There were no statistical differences in contrast type and volume according to the development of CIN. CONCLUSION: Our data supported the assumption that renal insufficiency, congestive heart failure, hyperuricemia and anemia may be the risk factors of developing CIN.
Anemia ; Contrast Media ; Coronary Angiography ; Creatinine ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease worldwide, with many available treatment modalities, including oral and topical medications and laser therapy. Recently, a novel device (Isolaz, Pleasanton, CA, USA) that combines vacuum pressure and a broadband light source (400 nm to 1,200 nm) was developed for the treatment of acne. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical efficacy and safety of photopneumatic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris of the face. METHODS: Twenty adults with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris received 4 successive treatments on one side of the face with a combined photopneumatic device (intense pulsed light: fluence=5.8 J/cm2; negative pressure=iMP mode) at 2 week intervals. Acne lesions on the opposite side of the face were not treated. Lesion counts were performed at baseline, prior to each treatment session, and at 3 months after the final treatment session. RESULTS: Significant lesion improvements and reduced numbers of acne lesions were observed on the treated side of the faces. Most patients experienced global clinical improvement. No severe side effects occurred during the study, with only a few patients experiencing transient erythema, purpura and/or exacerbation of pre-existing acne. CONCLUSION: Photopneumatic therapy is a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Acne Vulgaris ; Adult ; Erythema ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Light ; Purpura ; Skin Diseases ; Vacuum

To evaluate the relationship between arterial and ent tidal carbon dioxide teneion, we use ETCO2cuffed tracheal tude. Twenty five patients were selected for the study. The anesthesia was induced by pentothal sodium 4-5mg/kg, succinylcholine 1-1.5mg/kg After intubation, anesthesia was maintained by halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen. The patients were ventilated mechanically with tidal bolume 10 ml/kg and respiration rate 12/min When anesthesia was stabilized, end tidal cardon dioxide tension were measured at proximal and distal site of ETO2cuffed tracheal tube. The arterial blood sample were taken for arterial carbon dioxide tension from radial artery simultaneously. The results were as follows: 1) Both the end tidal carbon dioxide tension at proximal and distal sites of the tube showed close correlationship with arterial carbon dioxide tension 2) There was no statistical significant difference in carbon dioxide tension between proximal and distal site of ETCO2cuffed tracheal tube.
Anesthesia ; Carbon Dioxide ; Halothane ; Humans ; Intubation ; Nitrous Oxide ; Oxygen ; Radial Artery ; Respiratory Rate ; Sodium ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental

The effect of fentanyl on arterial pressure and heart rate during laryngoscopy and intubation was studied in 40 adult normotensive patients. Two groups of 20 patients were observed. Patients received thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg (contal group) or fentanyl 2 ug/kg with thiopental 5 mg/kg (fentanyl group) for induction of anesthesia. The changes of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured during the preinduction period, before thiopental (or thiopental+fentanyl), after succinylcholine, immediately after intubation and 5 minutes after intubation. The values were compared with preinduction control values. The results were as follows: The contro#l group showed a significant inerease of SBP, DBP and MAP (p<0.001) but no significant increase was noted in the fentanyl group with tracheal intubation. DBP and MAP returned to normal within 5 minutes and SBP decreased significantly (p<0.05). Significant heart rate elevation following intubation was observed in both groups. It is suggested from the above results that pretreatment with fentanyl 2 g/kg reduce the blood pressure elevation following intubation but dose not prevent the elevation of heart rate.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Fentanyl* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopy* ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental

The actions and side effcts of the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil were evaluated in a clinical study in which midazolam was used as an anesthetir induction agent. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide-oxygen-fentanyl. Sixty-five adult surgical patients received either 0.3 mg (3 ml) of flumazenil (33 cases) or 3 ml of saline (32 cases) at the conclusion of surgery. Blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate were checked before premedication, just before, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 120 minutes after the administration flumazenil or saline. Also level of consciouseness, orientation in time and space, and cooperativeness along with end tidal carbon dioxide and hemoglobin oxygen saturation were evaluated. Various larboratory parameters were checked before premedication and 24 hours after operation. The results were as follows: 1) The flumazenil group revealed improved level of consciousness, orientation in time and space, and cooperativeness which began just after the administration, and was maintained 30 minutes thereafter. 2) There was no difference in the changes of laboratory parameters between the two groups. 3) The changes of blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and SaO2 showed no difference between those two groups. 4) The end tidal concentrations of carbon dioxide after drug administration were significantly lower in the flumazenil group than those of the saline group. 5) Tolerance to flumazenil (0.3 mg) was good without any side effect.
Adult ; Anesthesia* ; Benzodiazepines ; Blood Pressure ; Carbon Dioxide ; Consciousness ; Flumazenil* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Midazolam* ; Oxygen ; Premedication ; Respiratory Rate

Stronger Neo-Minophagen C (SNMC) is a glycyrrhizin-containing preparation that is approved in Japan for the treatment of chronic hepatic diseases and is marketed in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and India. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpene present in the roots and rhizomes of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-viral effects. In the present study, we demonstrated the marked neuroprotective effects of SNMC in the postischemic rat brain after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). We used 1 ml/kg of SNMC, which is within the dose range used for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatic disease. The administration of SNMC intravenously at 30 minutes before or 30 minutes and 3 hours after MCAO (60 minutes) reduces mean infarct volumes to 27.0+/-4.2%, 37.1+/-12.4%, and 67.8+/-5.8% of that of untreated controls, respectively. This neuroprotective effect is accompanied by improvements in motor impairment and neurological deficits. The administration of SNMC is shown to suppress microglia activation and neutrophil infiltration in the postischemic brain. In addition, SNMC suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced nitrite production and proinflammatory cytokine induction in a microglia cell line, BV2. This indicates that the neuroprotective effect of SNMC might be due, at least in part, to an anti-inflammatiory effect. Interestingly, SNMC shows significantly higher neuroprotective potency compared to an equivalent dose of pure glycyrrhizin, in terms of reducing infarct volume and improving neurological deficits. Together these results indicate that SNMC, a glycyrrhizin-containing preparation developed for chronic liver disease, has a marked neuroprotective function in the postischemic brain via its anti-inflammatory effects.
Animals ; Brain ; Cell Line ; China ; Cysteine ; Drug Combinations ; Glycine ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; Glycyrrhiza ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; Humans ; India ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Japan ; Korea ; Liver Diseases ; Microglia ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Rats ; Rhizome ; Taiwan

Background: Medical nutrition therapy is a fundamental part of diabetes management; however, it is very difficult for patients to maintain the recommended diet programs. We investigated whether providing home-delivered therapeutic meals designed by registered dietitians could be useful in lowering blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: During a 12-day study period, we monitored the blood glucose levels of 19 patients with type 2 diabetes by continuous glucose monitoring. For the first six days, the participants maintained their usual lifestyles and were allowed to eat freely (free meal period). During the last six days, two out of the three main meals per day were replaced with home-delivered therapeutic meals designed for diabetes management (therapeutic meal period), during which snacks and exercise were freely allowed. Blood glucose levels and estimated glycated hemoglobin (eHbA1c) were compared between the two periods. Results: Between the free meal period and the therapeutic meal period, mean blood glucose level and eHbA1c dropped by 11.9 mg/dL (P < 0.001) and 0.4% (P = 0.002), respectively. These results were mainly due to the decrease in postprandial glucose levels rather than preprandial glucose levels. Conclusion Providing home-delivered therapeutic meals designed for diabetes management was effective in lowering the blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Medical nutrition therapy is a fundamental part of diabetes management; however, it is very difficult for patients to maintain the recommended diet programs. We investigated whether providing home-delivered therapeutic meals designed by registered dietitians could be useful in lowering blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: During a 12-day study period, we monitored the blood glucose levels of 19 patients with type 2 diabetes by continuous glucose monitoring. For the first six days, the participants maintained their usual lifestyles and were allowed to eat freely (free meal period). During the last six days, two out of the three main meals per day were replaced with home-delivered therapeutic meals designed for diabetes management (therapeutic meal period), during which snacks and exercise were freely allowed. Blood glucose levels and estimated glycated hemoglobin (eHbA1c) were compared between the two periods. Results: Between the free meal period and the therapeutic meal period, mean blood glucose level and eHbA1c dropped by 11.9 mg/dL (P < 0.001) and 0.4% (P = 0.002), respectively. These results were mainly due to the decrease in postprandial glucose levels rather than preprandial glucose levels. Conclusion Providing home-delivered therapeutic meals designed for diabetes management was effective in lowering the blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This study examined sanitary education and performance of sanitary management among employees related to cooking in school food services in Sejong. A total of 193 subjects (19.2% for kindergarten, 42.5% for elementary school, and 38.3% for middle and high school) participated in this questionnaire survey. The frequency of sanitary education was highest at 63.7% once a month, and it was higher in the order of middle and high school, elementary school, and kindergarten (P < 0.001). The most important contents of sanitary education were personal sanitary management (43.5%), food material management (25.9%), and sanitary and safety management of equipment and utensils (17.6%). The necessity of sanitary education recognized by the subjects was absolutely necessary at 69.9% and necessary at 28.0%. The application of knowledge from sanitary education is high in proper application at 50.8% and absolute application at 40.4%. The improvement effect after sanitary education was higher in kindergarten than in elementary school and middle and high school (P < 0.01). The performance of sanitary management was high at 4.7 out of 5. In particular, personal sanitary management was the highest in elementary school at 4.8 followed in order by middle and high school (4.7) and kindergarten (4.6) (P < 0.01). The necessity of sanitary education and the application of knowledge obtained from sanitary education to the food service showed a significant and positive correlation with the sanitary management performance (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). These results highlight that the need for customized sanitary education for institution types and an awareness of sanitary education by employees will enhance sanitary management in school food service.
Cooking ; Education ; Food Services ; Humans ; Safety Management