Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Deduhonghua-7 powder on liver fibrosis and its correlation with matrix metalloproteinases ( MMPs) and transforming growth factor β1 ( TGF-β1 ) .Methods The rats were divided into 4 groups, blank group, model group, control group, experiment group, 8 rats each group.The CCl4 was used to induce rat liver fibrosis.The control group was given colchicine pill, CMC sodium cellulosate was used to prepare 2% of colchicine suspen-sion, once time per day, 0.2 mL · kg-1 each time.The experiment group was given Deduhonghua-7 powder, CMC sodium cellulosate was used to prepare 3% of Deduhonghua-7 powder suspension, once time per day, 0.2 mL· kg -1 each time; blank group and model group were given same volume of pure water.All rats were sacrificed after 40 days of medication.Western blot was acted to detect the matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) protein expression.The PCR was used to detect the changesoftype Ⅰ, Ⅲ collagen, TGF -β1 mRNA gene expression.Results The MMP-1, MMP -13 protein expression in rats of model group was down -regulated compared with blank group ( P<0.05 ).The TIMP-1 protein expression was up-regulated compared with blank group ( P<0.05 ) . The mRNA expressions of typeⅠprocollagen, typeⅢprocollagen and TGF-β1 were increased compared with blank group(P<0.05).The MMP-1, MMP-13 protein expression of control group and experiment group were significant-ly up-regulated compared with model group.The TIMP-1 protein expression significantly down-regulated compared with model group.The mRNA gene expression of type I procollagen, typeⅢprocollagen and TGF-β1 were down-regulated compared with model group ( P<0.05 ).Conclusion Deduhonghua-7 powder regulate and maintain the stabilization of MMP/TIMP to block the expression of TGF-βand inhibit the transcription of type I,Ⅲ collagen and TGF-β1 mRNA to reach the purpose of detention of occurrence and development of liver fibrosis.

Objective To study the influence of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI)on cardiac and renal energy metabolism in rats.Methods The rats were randomly divided into five groups:the sham operation group,model-0 h group,model-2 h group,model-4 h group,model-6 h group,and ten rats in each group.The hepatic IRI rats model was prepared with non traumatic vascular clamp.The animal were sacrificed immediately after IRI 0,2,4,6 h and samples were collected.The tissue content of Na +-K +-ATPase and Ca2 +-Mg2 +-AT-Pase were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results The Ca2 +-Mg2 +-ATPenzyme of liver tissue in sham operation group,model-2 h group,model-4 h group were (343.84 ± 22.11),(221.88 ±64.15),(235.02 ± 58.84) μmol · g-1;compared with the sham operated group,the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05).The Na+-K +-ATP enzyme of renal tissuein sham operation group,model-2 h group,model-4 h group were (79.46 ± 10.84),(67.28 ± 3.39),(69.09 ± 1.47) μmol·g-1.The Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP enzyme of renal tissue in the three groups were (345.68 ± 21.68),(227.39 ± 50.63),(246.38 ± 64.31) μmol · g-1;compared with the sham operated group,the difference was statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).The Na +-K +-ATP enzyme of myocardium tissue in sham operation group,model -0 h group,model-2 h group,model-4 h group,model-6 h groupwere (68.16 ± 12.17),(71.92 ± 9.91),(61.62 ±7.96),(59.23 ±3.86),(79.72 ±9.91) μrnol · g-1.The Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP enzyme of myocardium tissue in the five groups were (261.05 ±40.52),(279.13 ±34.12),(243.62 ± 23.59),(244.66 ± 17.79),(291.78 ± 36.38) μmol · g-1;compared with the sham operated group,the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).There were no obvious changes in myocardial tissue energy metabolism indexes.Conclusion From energy metabolism indicators,when there is a hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury,the functions of the heart and kidney are all damaged,but the injury of kidney is earlier than that of myocardium.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of deduhonghua-7 powder on liver fibrosis and explore its relevance with transforming growth factor beta ( TGF-β) and smad protein pathways.Methods The liver fibrosis rat model were randomly divided to A group, B group, C group, D group, 8 rats for each.A group was administered 0.6 g·kg-1 of deduhonghua -7 powder, B group was administered 0.4 mg·kg-1 of colchicines, C group and D group were administered dis-tilled water intragastrically 1 time per day for 40 days.The liver tissue was prepared by histopathology slides, than elastic and collagen fiber staining was acted to observe the degree of fibrosis.Enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay ( ELISA ) was acted to detect the hyaluronic acid ( HA) , laminin ( LN) content of liver tissue homogenate.Immunohisto-chemistry detecting was acted to determine the changes of smad2, smad3, smad6, smad7, and TGF-β1 protein expressions.Results Compared with D group, the collagen fiber and contents of HA, LN of C group significantly increased (P<0.05).Compared with C group, the collagen fiber and the contents of HA, LA of A group and B group significantly decreased (P<0.05).The TGF-β1, smad2, smad3 protein expressions of C group were up-regulated compared with those of D group with significant differences ( P<0.05).The TGF-β1, smad2, smad3 protein expres-sions of A and B groups were down-regulated compared with those of C group, with significant differences ( P <0.05) .The smad6, smad7 protein expressions of C group were down-regulated compared with those of D group, with significant differences (P<0.05).The smad6, smad7 protein expressions of A and B groups were up-regulated com-pared with C group, with significant differences (P<0.05).Conclusion Deduhonghua-7 powder can regulate the TGF-β/smad protein patheways and block the TGF-βexpression, inhibit the synthesis of extracellular matrixc and degradation of extracellular matrixc to reach the purpose of blocking and deferring the development of liver fibrosis.

A complete cDNA sequence encoding a pore-forming subunit (Kir6.2) of ATP-senstive potassium channel in the adult worm, Clonorchis sinensis, termed CsKir6.2, was isolated from an adult cDNA library. The cDNA contained a single open-reading frame of 333 amino acids, which has a structural motif (a GFG-motif) of the putative pore-forming loop of the Kir6.2. Peculiarly, the CsKir6.2 shows a lack-sequence structure, which deleted 57 amino acids were deleted from its N-terminus. The predicted amino acid sequence revealed a highly conserved sequence as other known other Kir6.2 subunits. The mRNA was weekly expressed in the adult worm.
Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Clonorchis sinensis/*genetics/metabolism ; Helminth Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Human ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying/*genetics/metabolism ; RNA, Helminth/chemistry/genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to evaluate the indications, effectiveness and complications associated with arterial embolization as a safe and effective alternative treatment of obstetrical hemorrhage. METHODS: From September 1998 to October 2005, 42 patients who had a pregnancy related hemorrhage which did not respond to treatment using obstetric maneuvers and uterotonic drugs were included in our study. The patients underwent angiographic embolization for the management of intractable obstetrical hemorrhage at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University Medical Center. All available medical records and telephone interviews were reviewed and detailed to collect adequate clinical data such as clinical status, underlying conditions, amount of transfusion, embolization sites, materials of embolization, hospital stay, the success rate and the complications. RESULTS: We have experienced clinically successful embolization in 40 (95.2%) of 42 patients of obstetrical hemorrhage resulting from various causes. After embolization, the patient's vital sign was stabilized. The causes of hemorrhage were atony of uterus (n=17), cervical pregnancy (n=5), abnormal placentation (n=5), laceration of uterine cervix and vagina (n=6). The average amount of blood transfusion was 10.3 unit (range; 0-63 unit). The average duration of hospitalization was 7.4 days (range; 4-18 days). We were able to follow up on 32 patients. The main complications after embolization were hypomenorrhea (n=6), numbness of lower extremities (n=3). In all cases menses resumed spontaneously after procedures. CONCLUSION: The arterial embolization is one of the safe and the effective procedures and offers patients a fertility-preserving alternative to hysterectomy for treatment of intractable postpartum hemorrhage.
Academic Medical Centers ; Blood Transfusion ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gynecology ; Hemorrhage* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Hysterectomy ; Interviews as Topic ; Lacerations ; Length of Stay ; Lower Extremity ; Medical Records ; Menstruation Disturbances ; Obstetrics ; Placentation ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Pregnancy ; Uterus ; Vagina ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: Disability of Activities of daily living (ADL) is the most important factor for care of dementia patients. So Korean Dementia Association has prepared the survey for current state and cognition of active daily living in Korean dementia patients. METHODS: A total of 100 subjects were interviewed. Structured open and closed questions about ADL for dementia were asked. They are main caregivers of dementia patients who working over 5hours per day. Assessments included age, sex, education level, economic status, severity of dementia patients, pattern of the care-giving, current state and cognition of ADL, and needs of the caregivers. RESULTS: The cognition of ADL was very low (51%) and this is correlated with economic status. Increasing of care-giving time is the most stressful for caregivers, they frequently suffered from disability of outgoing and personal hygiene. Dementia patient's ADL disability causes serious economic losses, need of the caregivers about guide lines or education program was very high. CONCLUSION: Considering these results, we should design more detailed study about dementia patient's ADL disability and prepare guide line or program for it.
Activities of Daily Living ; Caregivers ; Cognition ; Dementia ; Humans ; Hygiene

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory, heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody production and the potential involvement of almost every organ system. Although vasculitis usually confined to small vessels is a fairly common feature of SLE, ischemic vasculitis with an aneurysm is an uncommon feature. In particular, renal arterial microaneurysms and multiple renal infarctions are very rarely reported in patients with SLE. Furthermore, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no report on renal arterial microaneurysms associated with SLE in Korea. Here, this paper presents a case of renal microaneurysms and multiple renal infarctions in a 41-year-old woman with SLE.
Adult ; Aneurysm ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Female ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Korea ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Vasculitis

Activities of daily living (ADL) refer to the ability to care for self and perform daily activities within an individual's place or in outdoor environments. ADL comprise two main categories: Basic or physical ADL and Instrumental ADL. The latter allows for the earlier detection of functional decline than the former. The cognitive changes in neurodegenerative dementias contribute to the impaired ability of the patients to take care of themselves. Activities of daily living is a major criterion for diagnosing dementia. Furthermore, it has recently been emphasized that some impairment of activities of daily living, particularly of complex instrumental functions, is already present even in mild cognitive impairment prodromal stage of dementia, although mild cognitive impairment is distinguished from dementia by the absence of significant deficit in activities of daily living. The impaired activities of daily living increase the rate of institutionalization of the patients with dementia to nursing home and inevitably bring about the changes in the qualities of life not only of the patients but their caregivers. One of the best ways to evaluate the degree of impairment in activities of daily living and the care burden is through standardized functional assessment tools according to the severity of dementia. These tools provide objective data, thereby allowing the clinicians to judge decline and improvement in the functional status and to plan individualized care. In this review, we will review the clinical significance of evaluating ADL, the assessment tools according to the severity of dementia, and therapeutic approaches to enhance the functional levels. We will also review the impact of the impaired ADL on the quality of life among the patients and their care providers.
Activities of Daily Living ; Caregivers ; Dementia ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Institutionalization ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Nursing Homes ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE: Alcoholic neuropathy is characterized by allodynia (a discomfort evoked by normally innocuous stimuli), hyperalgesia (an exaggerated pain in response to painful stimuli) and spontaneous burning pain. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of rolipram, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, against alcohol-induced neuropathy in rats. METHODS: Allodynia was induced by administering 35% v/v ethanol (10 g/kg; oral gavage) to Spraue-Dawley rats for 8 weeks. Rolipram and saline (vehicle) were administered intraperitoneally. Mechanical allodynia was measured by using von Frey filaments. Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) was proposed as complementary measure to assess the integrity of nerve pathway. RESULTS: The ethanol-induced mechanical allodynia began to manifest from 3 week, and then peaked within 1 week. Beginning from 3 week, latency significantly started to increased in control group. In rolipram treated rats, the shorter latency was sustained until 8 weeks (p<0.05). The mechanical allodynia, which began to manifest on the 3 weeks, intraperitoneal injections of rolipram sustained statistical difference until 8 weeks, the final week of the study (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that rolipram might alleviate mechanical allodynia induced by alcohol in rats, which clearly has clinical implication.
Alcoholic Neuropathy ; Alcoholics ; Animals ; Burns ; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4 ; Ethanol ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Rats ; Rolipram

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the significant factors for risk estimate of aspiration and to evaluate the efficiency of the dysphagia assessment tool. METHODS: A consecutive series of 210 stroke patients with aspiration symptoms such as cough and dysphagia who had soft or regular diet without tube feeding were examined. The dysphagia assessment tool for aspiration was compared with videofluoroscopy using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis. RESULTS: In CART analysis, of 34 factors, the significant factors for estimating risk of aspiration were cough during swallowing, oral stasis, facial symmetry, salivary drooling, and cough after swallowing. The risk estimate error of the revised dysphagia assessment tool was 25.2%, equal to that of videofluoroscopy. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the dysphagia assessment tool developed and examined in this study was potentially useful in the clinical field and the primary risk estimating factor was cough during swallowing. Oral stasis, facial symmetry, salivary drooling, cough after swallowing were other significant factors, and based on these results, the dysphagia assessment tool for aspiration was revised and complemented.
Adult ; Aged ; Cough ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders/complications/*diagnosis ; Facial Asymmetry ; Female ; Fluoroscopy/methods ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment ; Stroke/*complications/radiography/therapy