No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Animals ; Heart* ; Rats*

OBJECTIVE: To determine which compartments of placenta in the term pregnancy express the embryonic stem cell markers. METHODS: We have used immunohistochemical methods with antibodies to embryonic stem cell surface antigens, TRA 1-60 (Tumor rejection antigen 1-60), TRA 1-81 (Tumor rejection antigen 1-81), SSEA-3 (stage-specific embryonic antigen-3) and SSEA-4 (stage-specific embryonic antigen-4), to identify and localize stem cells in the term placenta. RESULTS: Stem cell marker-positive cells were found in all layer of placenta. Amnionic epithelial cells was immunoreactive with TRA 1-60, TRA 1-81. Amnionic mesenchymal stromal cells was immunoreactive with TRA 1-81. Chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells was immunoreactive with TRA 1-60 and TRA 1-81. SSEA-3 and SSEA-4 were not stained at any compartment of the term placenta. Compartment that was stained most strongly by TRA 1-60 was the amnionic epithelial cells layer. Compartment that was stained most strongly by TRA 1-81 was the chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells layer. CONCLUSION: The mesenchymal stroma cells of the amnion and chorion as well as amnionic epithelial cells may be useful source of pluripotent stem cells in the term placenta.
Amnion ; Antibodies ; Antigens, Surface ; Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate ; Chorion ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Placenta ; Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Pregnancy ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigens ; Stem Cells

Low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins are molecular switches that are believed to play pivotal roles in cell growth, differentiation, cytoskeletal organization, and vesicular trafficking. Rab proteins are key players in the regulation of vesicular transport, while Rho family members control actin-dependent cell functions, i.e. the regulation of cytoskeletal organization in response to extracelluar growth factors and in dendritic neuron development. In this study, we have examined the regulation of small GTP-binding proteins that are implicated in neurosecretion and differentiation of neuron during ageing processes. Comparison of small GTP-binding proteins from the synaptosome and crude synaptic vesicles (LP2 membranes) of 2 months and 20 months old rat brain respectively showed no difference in the level of Rab family proteins (Rab3A and Rab5A). However, Rho family proteins such as RhoA and Cdc42 were elevated in LP2 membranes of the aged brain. The dissociation of Rab3A by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) from SV membranes was not changed during aging. Ca2+/CaM stimulated phosphorylation of the 22 and 55-kDa proteins in SV membranes from the aged rat brain, and inhibited phosporylation of 30-kDa proteins. GTPgammaS inhibited phosphorylation of the 100-kDa proteins and stimulated phosphorylation of the 70 kDa in LP2 membranes from both the young and aged rat brains, whereas GDPbetaS caused just the opposite reaction. These results suggest that protein phosphorylation and regulation of Rho family GTPases in rat brain appears to be altered during ageing processes.
*Aging ; Animal ; Brain/metabolism ; Calcium/pharmacology ; Cattle ; Comparative Study ; GTP-Binding Proteins/*metabolism ; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/metabolism ; Molecular Weight ; Phosphorylation/drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synaptic Membranes/*metabolism ; Synaptosomes/*metabolism ; cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein/biosynthesis/metabolism ; rab3A GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism ; rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein/biosynthesis/metabolism

Low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins are molecular switches that are believed to play pivotal roles in cell growth, differentiation, cytoskeletal organization, and vesicular trafficking. Rab proteins are key players in the regulation of vesicular transport, while Rho family members control actin-dependent cell functions, i.e. the regulation of cytoskeletal organization in response to extracelluar growth factors and in dendritic neuron development. In this study, we have examined the regulation of small GTP-binding proteins that are implicated in neurosecretion and differentiation of neuron during ageing processes. Comparison of small GTP-binding proteins from the synaptosome and crude synaptic vesicles (LP2 membranes) of 2 months and 20 months old rat brain respectively showed no difference in the level of Rab family proteins (Rab3A and Rab5A). However, Rho family proteins such as RhoA and Cdc42 were elevated in LP2 membranes of the aged brain. The dissociation of Rab3A by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) from SV membranes was not changed during aging. Ca2+/CaM stimulated phosphorylation of the 22 and 55-kDa proteins in SV membranes from the aged rat brain, and inhibited phosporylation of 30-kDa proteins. GTPgammaS inhibited phosphorylation of the 100-kDa proteins and stimulated phosphorylation of the 70 kDa in LP2 membranes from both the young and aged rat brains, whereas GDPbetaS caused just the opposite reaction. These results suggest that protein phosphorylation and regulation of Rho family GTPases in rat brain appears to be altered during ageing processes.
*Aging ; Animal ; Brain/metabolism ; Calcium/pharmacology ; Cattle ; Comparative Study ; GTP-Binding Proteins/*metabolism ; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/metabolism ; Molecular Weight ; Phosphorylation/drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synaptic Membranes/*metabolism ; Synaptosomes/*metabolism ; cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein/biosynthesis/metabolism ; rab3A GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism ; rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein/biosynthesis/metabolism

PURPOSE: In this single-center, prospective, randomized, cross-over study, we compared the efficiency of oxygen supply between OxyMask and non-rebreather mask (NRM), depending on the position of the mask. METHODS: Either OxyMask or NRM was applied to 33 healthy volunteers, in a random manner, on the upper (that 1 cm upper to it), lower (that 1 cm inferior to it) and lateral malposition (that 1 cm lateral to it). After a 3-minute oxygenation, at a flow rate of 15 L/min, we measured the fractional expired oxygen concentration (F(E)O₂), fractional expired carbon dioxide concentration (F(E)CO₂), and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for the degree-of-wearing sensation. RESULTS: OxyMask showed a lower level of F(E)O₂ as compared with NRM in all positions. Moreover, OxyMask showed no significant difference between F(E)O₂ and the position of the mask. However, NRM showed a significantly lower F(E)O₂ in the upper and lateral malposition. F(E)CO₂ had no significant difference with the types and position of the mask. The mean VAS scores for the degree-of-wearing sensation were 2.2±1.5 in the OxyMask and 4.3±1.5 in the NRM (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: OxyMask may offer greater benefit in maintaining the concentration of supplied oxygen and provide greater comfort than NRM in patients with difficulty applying the mask on an adequate location and maintaining the seal.
Adult* ; Carbon Dioxide ; Cross-Over Studies* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Masks* ; Oxygen* ; Prospective Studies* ; Sensation

Background: Folic acid is involved in inflammatory reactions; however, the association between folic acid and allergic diseases, particularly asthma, remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association between serum folic acid levels and asthma in Koreans. Methods: This study analyzed the serum folic acid levels of 6,615 individuals included in the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The prevalence of asthma was determined using a questionnaire that identified cases of physician-diagnosed asthma. The relationship between serum folic acid levels and asthma was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a 1 ng/mL increase in serum folic acid level significantly reduced the risk of asthma after adjusting for confounding factors including sex, age, household income, current smoking, current alcohol use, and body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 0.930; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.876– 0.987; P=0.017). The relationship between the adjusted odds of asthma and serum folic acid levels were consistently inverse (OR, 2.266; 95% CI, 1.126–4.420; P for trend=0.038). Conclusion Serum folic acid levels are inversely associated with physician-diagnosed asthma in the Korean population.

OBJECTIVE: Pain is very common in the elderly, so there is a high prevalence of analgesic use among this population. The purpose of this study was to assess patterns of analgesic use and evaluate factors associated with analgesic use in elderly patients. METHOD: The subjects of this study were patients over 65 years old hospitalized in a teaching hospital located in Chuncheon-si, Korea between January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2014. Data collection regarding analgesic prescriptions and baseline characteristics was conducted using computerized hospital database by medical information team. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to analgesic use. RESULTS: A total of 2,394 patients were finally included. Among these patients, 700 (29.2%) took analgesics; 521 (74.4%) out of these 700 patients were received opioid analgesics and 179 (25.6%) were received only non-opioid analgesics. The most frequently prescribed opioid analgesic was pethidine (45.7%), and the most frequently prescribed non-opioid analgesic was acetaminophen (44.1%). Fracture was associated with increased odds of opioid analgesic prescriptions (OR = 2.766, 95% CI = 2.019-3.790, p < 0.001) and any analgesic prescriptions (OR = 2.394, 95% CI = 1.766-3.244, p < 0.001). Stroke or cerebral infarction was associated with decreased odds of opioid analgesic prescriptions (OR = 0.636, 95% CI = 0.471-0.858, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of hospitalized elderly patients use analgesics. Health care professionals should consider factors associated with analgesic use in this population to improve pain management.
Acetaminophen ; Aged* ; Analgesics ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Cerebral Infarction ; Data Collection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Gangwon-do ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Meperidine ; Pain Management ; Prescriptions ; Prevalence ; Stroke

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of ultrasonogram in the detection of cornual pregnancy and the factors that might be affected on early diagnosis. METHOD: We studied 26 cases which were diagnosed as a cornual pregnancy from Jan, 1, 2000 to Dec, 31, 2004 at department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Vincent's Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea. We compared two groups about clinical characteristics and outcomes. One group (A group) was diagnosed as cornual pregnancy before beginning of treatment, another group (B group) was not diagnosed as cornual pregnancy until operation. RESULTS: A group was 8 cases (30.8%) and B group was 18 cases (69.2%). There were no significant differences in age (33.0+/-6.21 years : 31.0+/-5.82 years), duration of amenorrhea (7.32+/-1.07 weeks : 8.90+/-5.44 weeks), previous cesarian section history (25.0% : 27.8%), present myoma (12.5% : 11.1%) and abdominal pain (50% : 77.78%), vaginal bleeding (50% : 55.6%), shock (0% : 27.8%) between two groups. There were significant differences in parity (1.63+/-0.74 : 1.0+/-0.77, p=0.032), number of abortions (2.25+/-1.16 : 1.11+/-1.18, p=0.016), previous history of ectopic pregnancy (37.5% : 0%, p=0.022). Of the method of treatments, only cornual resection (50% : 94.4%) showed significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSION: 30.8% of cornual pregnancy was early diagnosed by ultrasonogram. The important early detective factors for cornual pregnancy might be parity, previous ectopic pregnancy history and abortion history. Therefore if the patient has the previous ectopic pregnancy and abortion history, she can visit early to the hospital and the doctors do pay attention to the possibility of cornual pregnancy.
Abdominal Pain ; Abortion, Induced ; Amenorrhea ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Korea ; Myoma ; Obstetrics ; Parity ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Shock ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic vascular disease is major cause of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. C-reactive protein(CRP) as a marker of inflammmation appears to be clinically useful in prediction of coronary heart disease and mortality. This study is designed to test whether plasma concentration of CRP correlates with coronary heart disease and mortality in CAPD patients. METHODS: A total of 137 end-stage-renal disease patients undergoing CAPD were included. The measurement of baseline CRP and stress thallium SPECT were performed in all patients. Patients were followed prospectively from initiation of dialysis to June 1999 for analysis of survival rate and cause of death. Coronary angiography performed in 16 of 32 patients showed all positive results. RESULTS: 32 patients showed positive results in thallium SPECT. The baseline CRP concentration were higher among patients with positive results in thallium SPECT than those with negative results(1.05 g/L vs 1.30mg/dL, p<0.001). The survival rate was significantly lower in lower CRP group than higher CRP group (44months vs 26 months, p<0.001). However, There was no difference in cause of death according to serum CRP level. Death from cardiac cause is significantly higher among patients with positive thallium SPECT than negative results. The most common cause of death are, in descending order of frequency, cardiac disease including acute MI, sepsis, cerebrovascular disease. CONCLUSION: The baseline level of inflammation as assessed by the plasma concentration of CRP independently predicts the risk of coronary heart disease and survival in CAPD patients.
C-Reactive Protein* ; Cause of Death ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease* ; Dialysis ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mortality* ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Survival Rate ; Thallium ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Vascular Diseases