The distribution of enkephalin, dynorphin, substance P and neurotensin in the periaqueductal gray[PAG] has been well established by immunohistochemical methods. However, there is little information about the regional distribution of these neuropeptide mRNA-containing neurons in the PAG. The present study was undertaken [1] to elucidate the distribution of these neuropeptide mRNA-containing neurons and to determine of the PAG, [2] to know how peptide expression relates to the proposed functional subdivisions of the PAG and [3] to know how neuropeptide mRNA levels in the PAG change following peripheral neuropathy The results obtained are as follows ; 1. Preproenkephalin[pENK] mRNA-containing neurons are found mostly in the ventrolateral portion at all levels of the PAG. 2. Prodynorphin[pDYN] mRNA-containing neurons are concentrated mostly in the ventrolateral portion at the caudal level of the PAG. 3. Preprotachykinin[pTAK] mRNA-containing neurons are localized mainly in the ventrolateral portion at all levels of the PAG. There is small numbers of pTAK mRNA-containing neurons in the dorsolateral and dorsal portion at all levels of the PAG. 4. Proneurotensin[pNT] mRNA-containing neurons are concentrated mostly in the medial part of ventrolateral portion of the caudal and mid PAG. 5. Peripheral neuropathy induces an increase of pNT mRNA levels in the PAG, while pENK, pDYN and pTAK mRNAs levels show no change. The present results indicate that the pENK, pDYN, pTAK or pNT mRNA-containing neurons are found mainly in the ventrolateral PAG, the area where analgesia is most easily produced and that neurotensin in the PAG may play an important role in modulating chronic neuropathic pain.
Analgesia ; Animals ; Dynorphins ; Enkephalins ; Gene Expression* ; In Situ Hybridization ; Neuralgia* ; Neurons* ; Neuropeptides* ; Neurotensin ; Periaqueductal Gray* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Substance P

Large doses of acetaminophen (APAP) could cause oxidative stress and tissue damage through production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen (ROS/RNS) species and quinone metabolites of APAP. Although ROS/RNS are known to modify DNA, the effect of APAP on DNA modifications has not been studied systematically. In this study, we investigate whether large doses of APAP can modify the nuclear DNA in C6 glioma cells used as a model system, because these cells contain cytochrome P450-related enzymes responsible for APAP metabolism and subsequent toxicity (Geng and Strobel, 1995). Our results revealed that APAP produced ROS and significantly elevated the 8-oxo- deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) levels in the nucleus of C6 glioma cells in a time and concentration dependent manner. APAP significantly reduced the 8- oxodG incision activity in the nucleus by decreasing the activity and content of a DNA repair enzyme, Ogg1. These results indicate that APAP in large doses can increase the 8-oxodG level partly through significant reduction of Ogg1 DNA repair enzyme.
Acetaminophen/*metabolism ; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/*metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA/metabolism ; DNA Damage ; DNA Glycosylases/*metabolism ; DNA Repair ; Deoxyguanosine/chemistry/*metabolism ; Glioma/*metabolism ; Glutathione/metabolism ; Humans ; Rats ; Reactive Nitrogen Species/metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism

This study aims to develop new potential therapeutic moracin M prodrugs acting on lung inflammatory disorders. Potential moracin M prodrugs (KW01-KW07) were chemically synthesized to obtain potent orally active derivatives, and their pharmacological activities against lung inflammation were, for the first time, examined in vivo using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury model. In addition, the metabolism of KW02 was also investigated using microsomal stability test and pharmacokinetic study in rats. When orally administered, some of these compounds (30 mg/kg) showed higher inhibitory action against LPSinduced lung inflammation in mice compared to moracin M. Of them, 2-(3,5-bis((dimethylcarbamoyl)oxy)phenyl)benzofuran-6-yl acetate (KW02) showed potent and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the same animal model of lung inflammation at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg. This compound at 10 mg/kg also significantly reduced IL-1β concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the inflamed-lungs. KW02 was rapidly metabolized to 5-(6-hydroxybenzofuran-2-yl)-1,3-phenylene bis(dimethylcarbamate) (KW06) and moracin M when it was incubated with rat serum and liver microsome as expected. When KW02 was administered to rats via intravenous or oral route, KW06 was detected in the serum as a metabolite. Thus, it is concluded that KW02 has potent inhibitory action against LPS-induced lung inflammation. It could behave as a potential prodrug of moracin M to effectively treat lung inflammatory disorders.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing the mortality of Koreans over the age of 40 by a nested case-control study. METHODS: The cohort consisted of the beneficiaries of Korea Medical Insurance Corporation for Government Employees & Private School Teachers and Staff(KMIC) who received health examinations of KMIC in 1992 and 1993 retrospectively. At that time, they were more than 40 years old. The cases were 19,258 cohort members who had died until December 31, 1997. The controls were 19,258 cohort members who were alive until December 31, 1997. Controls were matched with age and sex distribution of the cases. The data used in this study were the funeral expenses requesting files, and the files of health examinations and health questionnaires gathered in 1992 and 1993. To assess the putative risk factors of death, student t-test, chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis were used. RESULTS: In multiple logistic regression analysis, independent risk factors of death were as follows; systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, AST, urine glucose, urine protein, alcohol drinking(frequency), cigarette smoking and perceived health status, intake of restoratives and blood transfusion showed positive associations with death; coffee consumption showed negative associations with death; and body mass index and serum total cholesterol showed J-shaped association with death. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the direction of association, the result of analysis on the data restricted to '96-'97 was same as that of '93-'97. But in some variables such as obesity, serum cholesterol, the odds ratios of death in the data of '96-'97 were higer than those of '93-'94, which suggested that the data of '93-'94 was bearing effect-cause relationship. We concluded that it suggested further researches using long-term follow-up data to be needed in this area.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Transfusion ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesterol ; Coffee ; Cohort Studies ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Mortality* ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Smoking

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to study whether the specific location of pelvic-bone fractures could increase the risk for injury to the urinary bladder, urethra, or lower gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 234 patients with pelvic-bone fractures who visited the emergency department of Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2006. The location of the pelvic-bone fracture was divided into 8 parts. The association of fracture location with injury to the urinary bladder, urethra, or lower gastrointestinal tract was analyzed with Fisher's-exact test and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Nineteen(19) patients had urinary bladder injury, 8 had urethral injury, and 9 had lower gastrointestinal tract injury. The following fracture locations were found to be significant; urinary bladder: sacroiliac (SI) joint (p<0.001), symphysis pubis (p=0.011), and sacrum (p=0.005); urethra: SI joint (p=0.020); lower gastrointestinal tract: symphysis pubis (p=0.028). After the multiple logistic regression analysis, the primary and the independent predictors for each of the injuries were as follows; urinary bladder: sacroiliac joint (p=0.000, odds ratio [OR]=10.469); lower gastrointestinal tract: symphysis pubis (p=0.037, OR=7.009). CONCLUSION: Consideration of further workup for injuries to the lower gastrointestinal and urinary tract is needed for some locations of pelvic-bone fractures because certain pelvic-bone fracture locations, especially the sacroiliac joint and the symphysis pubis, are associated with increased risk for injury to the lower gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.
Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Joints ; Logistic Models ; Lower Gastrointestinal Tract* ; Odds Ratio ; Pelvic Bones* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacroiliac Joint ; Sacrum ; Urethra* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Tract

BACKGROUND: Shift workers are increasing worldwide, and various negative health effects of shift work have been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between shift work and health behavior. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a total of 11,680 Korean adults (6,061 men and 5,619 women) aged ≥20 years old who participated in the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2010–2012. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between shift work and health behavior after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: In men, shift work was associated with an increased risk of inadequate sleep (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.40) compared to day work. In women, shift work was associated with an increased risk of smoking (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.34 to 2.22) and inadequate sleep (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.47) compared to day work. In an age-stratified subgroup analysis, female shift workers aged ≥50 years old demonstrated an increased risk of smoking (OR, 5.55; 95% CI, 3.60 to 8.55), alcohol consumption (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.53 to 3.23), and inadequate sleep (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.05) compared to female day workers. CONCLUSION: Shift work is associated with worse health behavior, and this is most evident in women aged ≥50 years. Targeted strategies to reduce the negative health effects of shift work should be implemented, with consideration of shift workers' demographic characteristics.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholism ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Work Schedule Tolerance

BACKGROUND: An objective and standardized interview process is important when screening for healthy blood donors. Our aims were to gather opinions of the interviewing nurses at blood centers on the current donor interview and to suggest improvements to the interview. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous survey consisting of five questions regarding the donor health questionnaire, which can be found on the reverse side of the donation record card. The survey targeted the interviewing nurses with more than 1 year of experience at collection sites of the Korean Red Cross and the Hanmaum blood centers. The survey was sent out and gathered via mail, fax or email between September and October of 2010. RESULTS: The average self-deferral rate of donors prior to interview was 7.4%, and 66.7% of the interviewing nurses considered 'taking medicine' as the most common reason for donor self-deferral. The past and current history of disorders was the hardest question for nurses to determine the eligibility of the donors. Having a history of blood transfusion, surgery, tattoo or a piercing procedure, etc. within a year was the most unacceptable reason for deferred donors. The nurses strongly recommended revision of redundant questions as well as re-examining the unsolvable dilemma of questions concerning malaria. CONCLUSION: According to the survey, this study outlines the perspectives of interviewing nurses at blood centers regarding the rate and reasons for self-deferral of blood donors, the difficulties and the suggestions for improving the current donor interview. The results will be helpful in the future when proposing modifications to the donor interview.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Blood Donors ; Blood Transfusion ; Electronic Mail ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Postal Service ; Red Cross ; Tissue Donors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is very rare in young adults. Nephrotic syndrome is an uncommon cause of AMI in young adults and is characterized by excessive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and generalized edema. The hypercoagulable state and accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with nephrotic syndrome may be associated with the development of AMI in young adults. We report herein a case of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with sudden cardiac arrest in a young patient with minimal change disease.
Atherosclerosis ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Edema ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Proteinuria ; Shock, Cardiogenic* ; Young Adult*

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has been used to protect neurological functions in cardiac arrest patient. Although Osborn wave is not pathognomonic of hypothermia, it is a well-known electrocardiogram finding of hypothermic patients. The cellular and ionic mechanisms of the Osborn wave have been suggested, and its relationship to tachyarrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, is being explored. This case highlights the arrhythmogenic potential of Osborn wave and individual difference in response of TH.
Electrocardiography ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Individuality ; Tachycardia ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Ventricular Fibrillation*

PURPOSE: To compare differences in overall satisfaction with emergency department (ED) services with the results obtained 10 years previously, in order to study effects of several component factors on patients' willingness to re-visit and to give recommendations. METHODS: This study was performed with questionnaires from 318 patients and proxies who were admitted to the emergency ward through the emergency medical center from February 19th, 2007 to March 18th, 2007. Evaluation of data was by frequency analysis, chi-square test, t-test, multiple regression analysis, and path analysis. RESULTS: During a one month study period, 244 patients and proxies (77% of those eligible) completed on-site questionnaires. Sociodemographic factors had no statistically significant influence on satisfaction with ED services. In multiple regression analysis to evaluate the correlation of various factors with satisfaction, the regression coefficients were 0.435(p<0.001) for reliability, 0.248(p<0.001) for accessibility, 0.179(p<0.001) for kindness, and 0.133 (p=0.004) for environmental respectively. In path analysis, the direct effect of overall satisfaction on patient willingness for re-visit was 0.582. The direct effect of overall satisfaction reliability on willingness to give recommendations were 0.594, and 0.250 respectively. CONCLUSION: In slight contrast to the study performed 10 years previously, the factors with the most correlation to overall satisfaction with ED services in this study were environment, kindness of hospital personnel, accessibility, and reliability of medical personnel. We confirmed that overall satisfaction is the most important factor influencing willingness for re-visit and willingness to recommend services, but found that the component factors vary as the point of survey or hospital conditions changes.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Personal Satisfaction ; Personnel, Hospital ; Proxy ; Surveys and Questionnaires