BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in not only cancer development and metastasis but also non-cancerous conditions. Hypoxia is one of the proposed critical factors contributing to formation of chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis. Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) has antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we analyzed whether wheatgrass has an inhibitory effect on the EMT process in airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells were incubated in hypoxic conditions (CO₂ 5%/O₂ 1%) for 24 h in the presence of different concentrations of wheatgrass extract (50, 75, 100, and 150 µg/mL) and changes in expression of epithelial or mesenchymal markers were evaluated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Accordingly, associated EMT-related transcriptional factors, Snail and Smad, were also evaluated. RESULTS: Hypoxia increased expression of N-cadherin and reduced expression of E-cadherin. Mechanistically, E-cadherin levels were recovered during hypoxia by silencing hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α or administering wheatgrass extract. Wheatgrass inhibited the hypoxia-mediated EMT by reducing the expression of phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3) and Snail. It suppressed the hypoxia-mediated EMT processes of airway epithelial cells via HIF-1α and the pSmad3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that wheatgrass has potential as a therapeutic or supplementary agent for HIF-1-related diseases.
Adenocarcinoma ; Anoxia ; Cadherins ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition* ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; Immunoblotting ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sinusitis ; Snails ; Triticum

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Physical exercise promotes energy producing pathways requiring thiamin and riboflavin as a coenzyme. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of regular exercise training on urinary excretion of thiamin and riboflavin. MATERIALS/METHODS: Fifty rats were randomly assigned to one of two groups: non-exercise training (NT, n = 25) and regular exercise training (ET, n = 25) for 5 weeks. The rats performed moderate exercise on a treadmill (0.5-0.8 km/hour) for 30 min/day, 5 days/week. Twenty-four hour urine samples were collected at the end of the 0 week, 3rd week, and 5th week of training and thiamin and riboflavin were analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences in thiamin and riboflavin intakes for each week were observed between the NT and ET groups. Urinary thiamin excretion of each group was the highest at the 5th week compared to the levels at 0 and 3rd week. Urinary thiamin at the 5th week was significantly lower in the ET group than in the NT group. Urinary riboflavin excretion was increased by training duration, however, no difference was observed between NT and ET for each week. At 0 and 3rd week, no significant relationships were observed between dietary intake and urinary excretion of thiamin and riboflavin, however, at the 5th week, urinary excretion was significantly increased by dietary intake only in the NT group (P < 0.05). Thiamin excretion of both NT and ET groups was significantly increased with riboflavin excretion at the 5th week (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Regular moderate exercise training increased urinary excretion of thiamin. Dietary intakes and urinary excretions of thiamin and riboflavin showed positive correlation in both the exercise training and non-exercise training groups as the exercise training period went by, while the correlations in the exercise training group were weaker than those in the non-exercise training group. Therefore, regular exercise training can alter the urinary excretion of thiamin and riboflavin in rats.
Animals ; Exercise ; Rats ; Riboflavin* ; Vitamin B Complex

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Energy production and the rebuilding and repair of muscle tissue by physical activity require folate and vitamin B12 as a cofactor. Thus, this study investigated the effects of regular moderate exercise training and durations of acute aerobic exercise on plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations in moderate exercise trained rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Fifty rats underwent non-exercise training (NT, n = 25) and regular exercise training (ET, n = 25) for 5 weeks. The ET group performed moderate exercise on a treadmill for 30 min/day, 5 days/week. At the end of week 5, each group was subdivided into 4 groups: non-exercise and 3 exercise groups. The non-exercise group (E0) was sacrificed without exercising and the 3 exercise groups were sacrificed immediately after exercising on a treadmill for 0.5 h (E0.5), 1 h (E1), and 2 h (E2). Blood samples were collected and plasma folate and vitamin B12 were analyzed. RESULTS: After exercise training, plasma folate level was significantly lower and vitamin B12 concentration was significantly higher in the ET group compared with the NT group (P < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations. In both the NT and ET groups, plasma folate and vitamin B12 were not significantly changed by increasing duration of aerobic exercise. Plasma folate concentration of E0.5 was significantly lower in the ET group compared with that in the NT group. Significantly higher vitamin B12 concentrations were observed in the E0 and E0.5 groups of the ET group compared to those of the NT group. CONCLUSION: Regular moderate exercise training decreased plasma folate and increased plasma vitamin B12 levels. However, no significant changes in plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were observed by increasing duration of acute aerobic exercise.
Animals ; Exercise ; Folic Acid* ; Motor Activity ; Plasma* ; Rats ; Rodentia ; Vitamin B 12* ; Vitamins*

OBJECTIVES: Pregnant women in rural areas do not have access to sufficient obstetric services in their own communities due to the shortage of obstetricians. Therefore, most of these women must seek obstetrician outside of their communities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between obstetric complications and accessibility to local obstetric care in Korea. METHODS: This study was an ecological study in which the unit of analysis was an administrative district. Using Korea National Health Insurance Corporation data, the total number of deliveries and the delivery proportion within and outside of the community from 2001 to 2008 were calculated for 232 administrative districts nationwide. Three outflow levels were categorized based on each district's out-of-community delivery proportion: high outflow (upper one third), moderate outflow (middle one third), and low outflow (lower one third). In addition, three obstetric complication rates (the rate of complications following abortion, ectopic and molar pregnancy, the abortion rate, and the eclampsia rate) were calculated for the 232 districts. One-way ANOVA and multivariate linear regression were used to evaluate obstetric complications among the three outflow levels. RESULTS: The high outflow districts had higher rates of eclampsia and complications following abortion, ectopic, and molar pregnancy compared to the other districts (ANOVA, p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the abortion rate among the three groups. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that high outflow districts were statistically significant in the rate of complications following abortion, ectopic and molar pregnancy and eclampsia rate after adjusting for local tax per capita (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that poor access to local obstetric care correlate with poor obstetric outcomes (delayed or excessive bleeding, embolism, genital tract or pelvic infection, shock or other complications following abortion and ectopic or molar pregnancy, or eclampsia).
Abortion, Induced ; Eclampsia ; Embolism ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole ; Korea ; Linear Models ; National Health Programs ; Pelvic Infection ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Shock ; Taxes

The editors of Nutrition Research and Practice (NRP) received a letter from a corresponding author who raised concerns regarding this paper. NRP's special committee on research ethics launched an investigation and identified that some of the paper's data is a duplicate of data in another article published by Parmacogn Mag and that these two articles were simultaneously published. The entire article has been retracted from NRP in accordance with NRP policy and editorial decision. This article has been retracted by agreement between the authors and YoonJu Song/Sang-Jin Chung (Editors-in-Chief).

PURPOSE: The objective of our study was to compare preoperative "Monitor Templating" with postoperative results for total hip replacement and to investigate the accuracy of "Monitor Templating" that was carried out by monitoring with picture archiving communication system (PACS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five patients underwent primary cementless total hip replacements. For setting parameters, we located the 10cm rod placed in the medial thigh on anteroposterior view of both hips and in the anterior thigh on Lowenstein lateral view. We measured implant sizes and the predictive value of corrective change in leg length and horizontal offset, by using radiographs magnified 120% of the anteroposterior views of both hips and Lowenstein lateral view of PACS on 27 inch monitor. We examined the correlation between preoperative monitor templating and the actual implant size, postoperative leg length and horizontal offset difference. RESULTS: The preoperative monitor templating showed a high rate of coincidence with the actual implant size, the postoperative leg length, and the horizontal offset difference. The averages in accurate prediction were 98% in the acetabular cup, 98% in the femoral stem, 97% in the postoperative actual difference of leg length, and 97% in the horizontal offset. With regard to leg length discrepancy, the sick limb was on average 4.7 mm shorter and 0.5 mm longer postoperatively than the contralateral limb. The average ratio of horizontal offset of the sick limb to the contralateral limb was 94.6% preoperatively and increased to 97.8% postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Preoperative "Monitor Templating" using PACS images on 26 inch monitor is an easy and effective method for predicting implant size, correcting leg length discrepancy and restoring horizontal offset.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Extremities ; Hip ; Humans ; Leg ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Thigh

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify whether stress experienced by those working in the local civil service was related to their oral health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A survey was conducted on 431 civil servants from eight districts, currently working in the Daegu City Hall had COVID-19 related work duties during the pandemic. Results: Several factors associated with oral health related quality of life were explored. Demographic details revealed that men had significantly better oral health related life quality as compared to women; further, being younger, being unmarried, and having a lower position had better outcomes for oral health related quality of life. Regarding the relationship between oral health behavior and oral health related quality of life, it was found that the better the subjective oral health, the higher the rate of not visiting the dentist in the past year. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a particularly important time to explore in order to understand how the stress experienced by local government officials is related to their oral health. It has been especially noted that the higher the work stress, the worse the oral health related quality of life amongst individuals. Conclusions Results of this study emphasize that at a time when fatigue among civil servants is increasing due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, oral conditions caused by stress should be identified and greater awareness should be created about oral health care.

Endobronchial actinomycosis is a rare but important and challenging diagnosis to make. We report a case of 57 year-old man who presented with a fever and a right-sided chest pain diagnosed as an endobronchial actinomycosis. Chest computed tomography showed a segmental obstruction and consolidations in right middle lobe combined with an ipsilateral multiloculated pleural effusion. Bronchoscopic biopsy of a mass obstructing the medial segmental bronchus of right middle lobe revealed actinomycosis. This is the first reported case of primary endobronchial actinomycosis that presented with a chest pain and a complicated parapneumonic effusion. Primary endobronchial actinomycosis can be a cause of complicated parapneumonic effusion.
Actinomycosis* ; Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Bronchial Diseases ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; Thorax

We assessed the clinical status after anticoagulant therapy in acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) involving the lower limbs. Between 1994 and 2001, 139 patients suffering from acute DVT were treated with heparin therapy followed by oral anticoagulant therapy. The coagulation factor assay was done prior to any anticoagulation therapy. The duplex scan was checked serially. The mean follow-up periods was 32 ± 19 months. There were 32 (23.0%) cases of protein C deficiency, 12 (8.6%) cases of protein S deficiency, 13 (9.4%) cases of AT-III deficiency and 11 (7.9%) cases of abnormal plasminogen level. Fourteen cases had coagulation factor abnormalities within the family. The initial lung scan showed 29 (20.9%) cases with high, 13 (9.4%) cases with intermediate and 70 (50.4%) cases with a low probability of pulmonary embolism (PE) developing. During the follow-up periods, there were 3 cases of non-fatal PE documented with chest CT scan. The patients were divided according to the extent of the thrombus; Group I (38 cases) was limited to the infrainguinal deep vein, Group II (70 cases) extended to the iliac vein and Group III (9 cases) extended to the vena cava. Partial lysis occurred in 20/35/3 (52.6/50.0/33.3%) cases and no change in 10/24/6 (26.3/ 34.3/ 66.7%) cases in Groups I/ II/ III, respectively. Deep vein valvular reflux occurred in 15/25/5 (39.5/35.7/55.6%) cases in Groups I/ II/ III, respectively. With anticoagulation therapy, most of the thrombi remained in unresolved states and there was a high rate of deep vein valvular reflux. However, there was no serious complications which affected the patients' quality of life.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Anticoagulants/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Heparin/*therapeutic use ; Human ; Leg/*blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex ; Venous Thrombosis/*drug therapy/physiopathology/ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Lymphoma originated from mucosa associated lymphoid tissue(MALT) is most common in gastrointestinal system, and rarely found in salivary gland, thyroid, bronchus or orbit. We experienced a case of MALT lymphoma which was originated from conjunctiva and involving lower eyelid without metastasis. METHODS: A 40-year-old man suffered palpable mass on right lower eyelid without pain. Orbital computed tomographic and ultrasonographic findings showed a conical mass(1.9x1.2x0.9cm size) inside lower eyelid. The mass was completely excised under local anesthesia and histopathological examination was followed. RESULTS: Microscopic finding showed a multiple follicular colonization. In the follicle, small lymphocytes and plasma cells differentiated to centrocyte-like cell, monocyte B cell, plasma cell were diffusely infiltrated. Immunophenotyping was preformed on fixed section. The majority of the small cells were immunoreactive for the B cell marker CD20. Based on the typical histological findings supported by immunostaining, the mass was defined as MALT lymphoma. After excision, SPECT, abdominal CT was carried out and there were no evidence of extraorbital disease. CONCLUSION: Biopsy and pathological examination should be performed in patients who complain palpable mass on lower eyelid because of possibility of MALT lymphoma. Although MALT lymphoma is rarely metastasized, it is necessary to evaluate the extraorbital involvement using SPECT or other radiologic exams. For detecting extraorbital involvement, periodic follow-up examination is need.
Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Colon ; Conjunctiva ; Eyelids ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Monocytes ; Mucous Membrane ; Orbit ; Plasma Cells ; Salivary Glands ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon