PURPOSE: We studied the change of bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR) from childhood to early adulthood and to know the risk factors which influence on the persistence of BHR. METHODS: Seventy two atopic asthma children with nonspecific BHR to methacholine were observed for about 10 years, longitudinally. They were divided into 3 groups depend on the degree of BHR; no BHR group(A group), asymptomatic BHR group(B group), symptomatic BHR group(C group) and compared clinical and atopic findings, inflammation degree of airway, and environmental factors between the groups. RESULTS: In the group A, B, C, the number of subjects were, respectively, 15(20.8%), 19 (26.4%), 38(52.8%). The frequency of group C was higher in the subjects with more severe asthma symptoms and higher BHR at diagnosis. The positive rates of skin prick test to Dp, Df, and pets, serum total IgE, sputum eosinophils, sputum ECP at the time of follow-up were significantly higher in group C. The frequency of subjects with carpets/sofa/bed, pets at home and smokers at the time of follow-up were higher in group B, C. CONCLUSION: Significant number of childhood asthma showed persistent nonspecific BHR in early adulthood. The persistence of nonspecific BHR in early adulthood was related with severity of asthma at diagnosis, laboratory findings and environmental factors at follow up.
Asthma* ; Child ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inflammation ; Methacholine Chloride ; Risk Factors* ; Skin ; Sputum

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing organizational commitment and resilience onpresenteeism in clinical nurses. Methods: The subjects were 202 nurses working at 5 hospitals in B city. The data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Work impairment was negatively correlated with organizational commitment and resilience. Perceived productivity was positively correlated with organizational commitment and resilience. Influencing factors on work impairment were organizational commitment (β=-.22 p=.005) and hardiness (β=-.16, p=.042), with 10% explanatory power. Influencing factors on perceived productivity were organizational commitment (β=.24, p=.002) and hardiness (β=.16, p=.042), with 11% explanatory power. Conclusion Based on this research, appropriate programs and policies that consider influencing factors such as organizational commitment and hardiness in resilience are needed to reduce the level of presenteeism in clinical nurses.

PURPOSE: Activation of T helper(Th) cells and secretion of cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Th2 cells secrete IL-4 and IL-5. IL-4 stimulates IgE production and IL-5 is related with hematopoiesis, chemotaxis and activation of eosinophils. IFN-gamma produced by Th1 cells and IL-12 produced by antigen presenting cells have an inhibitory action on IgE production. We examined the cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) of atopic asthmatic children and its relation with clinical findings. METHODS: We measured IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-5, IL-12 in serum and supernatants of stimulated PBMCs cultures in 32 children with moderate stable asthma and 17 healthy controls. They were compared with number of skin test positive allergens, serum total IgE, peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR), methacholine PD20, sputum eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein(ECP). RESULTS: No difference in serum cytokines was found between patients and controls, except IL-5. In supernatants of stimulated PBMCs cultures, the concentration of IL-4, IL-5 was significantly increased and IFN-gamma, IL-12 was significantly decreased in patients compared with controls. IL-4 was related with total serum IgE and numbers of skin test positive allergens. IL-5 was related with sputum eosinophils and ECP. The serum total IgE was inversely and PEFR was directly related with IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: In atopic asthmatics, Th1 cytokines were increased and Th2 were decreased in stimulated PBMCs cultures. IL-4 was related with atopy, IFN-gamma with lung function and IL-5 with airway inflammation.
Allergens ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Asthma* ; Chemotaxis ; Child ; Cytokines ; Eosinophils ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-12* ; Interleukin-4* ; Interleukin-5* ; Lung ; Methacholine Chloride ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Skin Tests ; Sputum ; Th1 Cells ; Th2 Cells

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate morphological changes of the medial nerve in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) before and after endoscopic release of the transverse carpal ligament, and to correlate the ultrasonography (US) findings with the use of high resolution US and the surgical outcome for the median nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with CTS confirmed by a clinical and electrophysiological study underwent high resolution US. The US instrumentation was equipped with a high frequency linear transducer to measure the cross sectional area, flattening ratio and swelling ratio of the medial nerve at the distal radioulnar joint, proximal and distal carpal tunnel before and three months after surgery. RESULTS: The cross sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the distal radioulnar level showed a decrease from 0.13 +/- 0.03 cm2 before surgery to 0.11 +/- 0.03 cm2 after surgery, and the CSA of the proximal carpal tunnel showed a decrease from 0.17 +/- 0.07 cm2 to 0.14 +/- 0.05 cm2; these differences were statistically significant. There was no statistically significant correlation between the morphological change and symptom improvement. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed a decreasing CSA of the medial nerve at the distal radioulnar and proximal carpal tunnel in a postoperative patient with CTS, as determined by the use of high resolution US. No association was found between a change in the CSA of the median nerve and symptom improvement. A further study based on multiple measurements of the median nerve with a longer period is necessary to establish the association between a change in the CSA of the median nerve and symptom improvement.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Humans ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Median Nerve ; Transducers

Objectives: ZZKetamine has been reported to have antidepressant effects or psychotomimetic effects. The aim of this study was to investigatethe behavioral effects of ketamine treatment at various sub-anesthetic doses in adolescent and adult naïve mice. Methods: ZZIn each experiment for adolescent and adult mice, a total of 60 male Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly dividedinto 6 groups, which were intraperitoneally treated with physiological saline, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg ketamine for consecutive3 days. At 1 day after last injection, the locomotor and depressive-like behaviors were evaluated in mice, using open field test (OFT)and forced swim test (FST), respectively. Results: ZZIn case of adolescent mice, ketamine dose was negatively correlated with total distance traveled in the OFT (Spearman’srho = -0.27, p = 0.039). In case of adult mice, we found significant positive correlation between ketamine dose and duration of immobilityin the FST (Spearman’s rho = 0.45, p < 0.001). Immobility time in the 50 mg/kg ketamine-treated mice was significantly higher comparedto the saline-treated mice (Dunnett’s post-hoc test, p = 0.012). Conclusions ZZWe found that the repeated treatment with ketamine could decrease the locomotor or prolong the duration of immobilityin mice as the dose of ketamine increased. Our findings suggest that sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine might induce schizophrenia-like negative symptoms but not antidepressant effects in naïve laboratory animals.

Objectives: ZZKetamine has been reported to have antidepressant effects or psychotomimetic effects. The aim of this study was to investigatethe behavioral effects of ketamine treatment at various sub-anesthetic doses in adolescent and adult naïve mice. Methods: ZZIn each experiment for adolescent and adult mice, a total of 60 male Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly dividedinto 6 groups, which were intraperitoneally treated with physiological saline, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg ketamine for consecutive3 days. At 1 day after last injection, the locomotor and depressive-like behaviors were evaluated in mice, using open field test (OFT)and forced swim test (FST), respectively. Results: ZZIn case of adolescent mice, ketamine dose was negatively correlated with total distance traveled in the OFT (Spearman’srho = -0.27, p = 0.039). In case of adult mice, we found significant positive correlation between ketamine dose and duration of immobilityin the FST (Spearman’s rho = 0.45, p < 0.001). Immobility time in the 50 mg/kg ketamine-treated mice was significantly higher comparedto the saline-treated mice (Dunnett’s post-hoc test, p = 0.012). Conclusions ZZWe found that the repeated treatment with ketamine could decrease the locomotor or prolong the duration of immobilityin mice as the dose of ketamine increased. Our findings suggest that sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine might induce schizophrenia-like negative symptoms but not antidepressant effects in naïve laboratory animals.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Green Citrus junos (yuja) peel extract has higher naringin and hesperidin contents and antioxidant activity than yellow yuja peel extract, but its anti-obesity effects are unclear. This study examined the anti-obesity properties of green yuja peel ethanol extract (GYE) in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: The effects of GYE on adipocyte differentiation were assessed by measuring Oil red O staining, mRNA and protein expression. The beneficial effects of GYE on HFD-induced obese mice were evaluated using the body weight, body composition, visceral fat size, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: GYE inhibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation compared to the control cells, as evidenced by Oil red O staining and the triglyceride level, respectively.GYE down-regulated the adipogenic genes CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and lipogenic gene diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2). GYE at 100 μg/mL downregulated the phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), and their downstream targets PPARγ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1c) compared to the control group. In obese mice, GYE (100 mg/kg/day) reduced the body weight, body weight gain, and serum lipid level compared to the control group. Analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed that GYE decreased the fat percentage, fat in tissue, and abdominal circumference, while it increased the lean percentage compared to control group.Furthermore, GYE significantly reduced the visceral fat weight and size compared to the control group. CONCLUSION GYE suppressed adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt pathway in vitro and reduced the body fat mass and visceral adiposity in HFD-induced obese mice.These findings suggest that GYE is a viable natural option for combating obesity.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Green Citrus junos (yuja) peel extract has higher naringin and hesperidin contents and antioxidant activity than yellow yuja peel extract, but its anti-obesity effects are unclear. This study examined the anti-obesity properties of green yuja peel ethanol extract (GYE) in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: The effects of GYE on adipocyte differentiation were assessed by measuring Oil red O staining, mRNA and protein expression. The beneficial effects of GYE on HFD-induced obese mice were evaluated using the body weight, body composition, visceral fat size, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: GYE inhibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation compared to the control cells, as evidenced by Oil red O staining and the triglyceride level, respectively.GYE down-regulated the adipogenic genes CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and lipogenic gene diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2). GYE at 100 μg/mL downregulated the phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), and their downstream targets PPARγ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1c) compared to the control group. In obese mice, GYE (100 mg/kg/day) reduced the body weight, body weight gain, and serum lipid level compared to the control group. Analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed that GYE decreased the fat percentage, fat in tissue, and abdominal circumference, while it increased the lean percentage compared to control group.Furthermore, GYE significantly reduced the visceral fat weight and size compared to the control group. CONCLUSION GYE suppressed adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt pathway in vitro and reduced the body fat mass and visceral adiposity in HFD-induced obese mice.These findings suggest that GYE is a viable natural option for combating obesity.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Green Citrus junos (yuja) peel extract has higher naringin and hesperidin contents and antioxidant activity than yellow yuja peel extract, but its anti-obesity effects are unclear. This study examined the anti-obesity properties of green yuja peel ethanol extract (GYE) in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: The effects of GYE on adipocyte differentiation were assessed by measuring Oil red O staining, mRNA and protein expression. The beneficial effects of GYE on HFD-induced obese mice were evaluated using the body weight, body composition, visceral fat size, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: GYE inhibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation compared to the control cells, as evidenced by Oil red O staining and the triglyceride level, respectively.GYE down-regulated the adipogenic genes CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and lipogenic gene diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2). GYE at 100 μg/mL downregulated the phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), and their downstream targets PPARγ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1c) compared to the control group. In obese mice, GYE (100 mg/kg/day) reduced the body weight, body weight gain, and serum lipid level compared to the control group. Analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed that GYE decreased the fat percentage, fat in tissue, and abdominal circumference, while it increased the lean percentage compared to control group.Furthermore, GYE significantly reduced the visceral fat weight and size compared to the control group. CONCLUSION GYE suppressed adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt pathway in vitro and reduced the body fat mass and visceral adiposity in HFD-induced obese mice.These findings suggest that GYE is a viable natural option for combating obesity.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Green Citrus junos (yuja) peel extract has higher naringin and hesperidin contents and antioxidant activity than yellow yuja peel extract, but its anti-obesity effects are unclear. This study examined the anti-obesity properties of green yuja peel ethanol extract (GYE) in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: The effects of GYE on adipocyte differentiation were assessed by measuring Oil red O staining, mRNA and protein expression. The beneficial effects of GYE on HFD-induced obese mice were evaluated using the body weight, body composition, visceral fat size, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: GYE inhibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation compared to the control cells, as evidenced by Oil red O staining and the triglyceride level, respectively.GYE down-regulated the adipogenic genes CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and lipogenic gene diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2). GYE at 100 μg/mL downregulated the phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), and their downstream targets PPARγ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1c) compared to the control group. In obese mice, GYE (100 mg/kg/day) reduced the body weight, body weight gain, and serum lipid level compared to the control group. Analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed that GYE decreased the fat percentage, fat in tissue, and abdominal circumference, while it increased the lean percentage compared to control group.Furthermore, GYE significantly reduced the visceral fat weight and size compared to the control group. CONCLUSION GYE suppressed adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt pathway in vitro and reduced the body fat mass and visceral adiposity in HFD-induced obese mice.These findings suggest that GYE is a viable natural option for combating obesity.