Albizzia julibrissin (AJ) is an herbal medicine that shows low toxicity, promotes promoting blood circulation and mitigates the inflammation and has mild side effects. Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases that occurs in older males and often results in lower urinary tract symptoms. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of AJ against BPH using LNCaP cells and Sprague Dawley rats treated with testosterone. Treatment with AJ extract reduced the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in vitro. In vivo, rats were divided into 6 groups: 1 (Normal Control); 2 (Testosterone propionate (TP) alone); 3 (TP + finasteride); 4 (TP + AJ 10 mg/kg); 5 (TP + AJ 50 mg/kg); 6 (TP + AJ 300 mg/kg). The groups treated with AJ showed reduced the relative prostate weights and BPH-related proteins were altered, with decreased AR, PSA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) observed by western blot. Histopathological analysis revealed the therapeutic effect of AJ, with a decreased thickness of epithelial cells and reduced level of PCNA and 5α-reductase type 2. These results suggest that AJ extract could ameliorate testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Albizzia ; Animals ; Blood Circulation ; Blotting, Western ; Diethylpropion ; Epithelial Cells ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inflammation ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Androgen ; Testosterone ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are more susceptible to nosocomial infections, including central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), surgical site infection, urinary tract infection or ventilator-associated pneumonia. This study is a comparative analysis of how central venous catheter (CVC) management staff affects CLABSI. METHODS: We performed a two-phase review of all patients transferred to the surgical ICU (SICU) from January 2013 to June 2014. CVC management staff was introduced in October 2013. Electronic medical records provided the data for a comparative analysis of incidence rates and risks of CLABSI, as well as the subjects' general characteristics. RESULTS: This study included 248 patients before the introduction of a CVC management staff member and 196 patients after the introduction. General patient characteristics before and after the CVC management staff was in place did not differ significantly. The CLABSI rate decreased by 4.61 cases/1,000 device days after the introduction (6.26 vs. 1.65; odds ratio, 4.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.39~14.37; p=0.009). However, the mortality rate and length of ICU stay did not change after CVC management staff was in place (12.9% vs. 10.7%, p=0.480; 16.00±24.89 vs. 15.87±18.80, p=0.954; respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study, the introduction of CVC management staff effectively reduced CLABSI rates in current ICU system.
Central Venous Catheters* ; Critical Care* ; Cross Infection ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Mortality ; Odds Ratio ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; Surgical Wound Infection ; Urinary Tract Infections

Gitelman syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary salt-losing tubulopathy, that manifests as hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria. It is caused by mutations in the solute carrier family 12(sodium/chloride transporters), member 3 (SLC12A3) gene encoding the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter channel (NCCT) in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney. It is associated with muscle weakness, cramps, tetany, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and growth retardation. The incidence of growth retardation, the exact cause of which is unknown, is lower than that of Bartter syndrome. Herein, we discuss the case of an overweight 12.9-year-old girl of short stature presenting with hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis. The patient, on the basis of detection of a heterozygous mutation in the SLC12A3 gene and poor growth hormone (GH) responses in two provocative tests, was diagnosed with Gitelman syndrome combined with complete GH deficiency. GH treatment accompanied by magnesium oxide and potassium replacement was associated with a good clinical response.
Abdominal Pain ; Alkalosis ; Bartter Syndrome ; Diarrhea ; Gitelman Syndrome ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Magnesium Oxide ; Muscle Cramp ; Muscle Weakness ; Overweight ; Potassium ; Sodium Chloride Symporters ; Tetany ; Vomiting

The combined effects of inhaled irritant gases and heat in burn patients can result in the development of laryngotracheal strictures. Several factors could adversely affect the development of tracheal stenosis and cause the growth of granulation tissue. Yet the current treatment options for this condition are limited because of the paucity of case reports. We report here on a case of a patient who experienced recurrent upper tracheal stenosis after an inhalation injury. She displayed repetitive symptoms of stenosis even after several laryngomicrosurgeries and resection with end-to-end anastomosis. Finally, 5 yr after the burn injury, slide tracheoplasty was successfully performed and the postoperative check-up findings and the increased airway volume seen on imaging were all satisfactory.
Burns ; Burns, Inhalation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Gases ; Granulation Tissue ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Tracheal Stenosis

This study was performed to investigate the association between hair mineral levels and nutrient intakes, age, and BMI in female adults who visited a woman's clinic located in Seoul. Dietary intakes were assessed by food frequency questionnaire and mineral levels were measured in collected hairs, and the relationship between these was examined. The average daily nutrient intakes of subjects were compared to those of the KDRIs, and the energy intake status was fair. The average intake of calcium in women of 50 years and over was 91.35% of KDRIs and the potassium intake was greatly below the recommended levels in all age groups. In the average hair mineral contents in subjects, calcium and copper exceeded far more than the reference range while selenium was very low with 85.19% of subjects being lower than the reference value. In addition, the concentrations of sodium, potassium, iron, and manganese in the hair were below the reference ranges in over 15% of subjects. The concentrations of sodium, chromium, sulfur, and cadmium in the hair showed positive correlations (P < 0.05) with age, but the hair zinc level showed a negative correlation (P < 0.05) with age. The concentrations of sodium, potassium, chromium, and cadmium in the hair showed positive correlations (P < 0.05) with BMI. Some mineral levels in subjects of this study showed significant correlations with nutrient intakes, but it seems that the hair mineral content is not directly influenced by each mineral intake. As described above, some hair mineral levels in female adults deviated from the normal range, and it is considered that nutritional intervention to control the imbalance of mineral nutrition is required. Also, as some correlations were shown between hair mineral levels and age, BMI, and nutrient intakes, the possibility of utilizing hair mineral analysis for specific purposes in the future is suggested.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Cadmium ; Calcium ; Chromium ; Copper ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Iron ; Manganese ; Potassium ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Reference Values ; Selenium ; Sodium ; Sulfur ; Zinc

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase(PHGPx), an antioxidative selenoprotein, is modulated byestrogen in the testis and oviduct. To examine whetherpotential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) affectthe microenvironment of the testes, the expression patternsof PHGPx mRNA and histological changes were analyzedin 5-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats exposed to severalEDCs such as an androgenic compound [testosterone (50,200, and 1,000microg/kg)], anti-androgenic compounds [flutamide(1, 5, and 25mg/kg), ketoconazole (0.2 and 1mg/kg), anddiethylhexyl phthalate (10, 50, and 250mg/kg)], andestrogenic compounds [nonylphenol (10, 50, 100, and 250mg/kg), octylphenol (10, 50, and 250mg/kg), and diethyl-stilbestrol (10, 20, and 40microg/kg)] daily for 3 weeks via oraladministration. Mild proliferation of germ cells andhyperplasia of interstitial cells were observed in the testesof the flutamide-treated group and deletion of thegerminal epithelium and sloughing of germ cells wereobserved in testes of the diethylstilbestrol-treated group.Treatment with testosterone was shown to slightly decreasePHGPx mRNA levels in testes by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. However, anti-androgeniccompounds (flutamide, ketoconazole, and diethylhexylphthalate) and estrogenic compounds (nonylphenol,octylphenol, and diethylstilbestrol) significantly up-regulated PHGPx mRNA in the testes (p<0.05). Thesefindings indicate that the EDCs might have a detrimentaleffect on spermatogenesis via abnormal enhancement ofPHGPx expression in testes and that PHGPx is useful as abiomarker for toxicity screening of estrogenic or anti-androgenic EDCs in testes.
Androgen Antagonists/pharmacology ; Animals ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate/pharmacology ; Diethylstilbestrol/pharmacology ; Endocrine Disruptors/*pharmacology ; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology ; Flutamide/pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Histocytochemistry ; Ketoconazole/pharmacology ; Male ; Phenols/pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spermatogenesis/drug effects ; Testis/*drug effects/*enzymology ; Testosterone/pharmacology

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been presented as a predictor of cardiovascular diseases. Earlier studies had revealed risk factors for erectile dysfunction, but the results are variable. We conducted this study to evaluate the association between various factors and ED. METHODS: The subjects were 403 men, over 20 years old, who visited a university hospital health promotion center from February to May 2003. They responded to 'the Korean version of 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5)'. The subjects were divided into ED group and normal group according to 'IIEF-5' score. We studied the association between ED and sociodemographic factors, smoking, exercise, depression, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and analysed stress and job stress in a subgroup who responded to the questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 45.6+/-8.9 and 34.2% of the subjects had ED. The risk of ED increased 1.09 times per year (P<0.01). Statistically significant association between ED and education level, income, occupation, smoking (P<0.01), DM, and exercise (P<0.05) was shown by univariate analysis, but not by multivariate analysis. By multivariate analysis, the risk of ED increased significantly in older age, lower educational group and severe depression (P<0.01). Among 251 subjects who completed the Psychiatric Wellbeing Inventory- Short form, high risk of stress group wsa associated with high risk of ED by univariate analysis (P<0.01) but this association did not exist in multivariate analysis. We could not find the association between ED and job stress. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ED was 34.2% among the subjects over 20 year-old and the risk of ED increased significantly in older age, lower educational group, and in subjects who had moderate to severe depression.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Depression ; Dyslipidemias ; Education ; Educational Status ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking

There have been few reports documenting the outcome of arterial swich operations(ASO) in selected patients with transposition of great arteries(TGA) and with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction(LVOTO). In the case of TGA with LVOTO, if the atrial septal defect(ASD) is large and the ventricular septal defect(VSD) is restricive, this deprives the left ventricle(LV) of approporiate preload and could lead to underdevelopment of the ventircular mass and lead poor LV performance after the arterial switch operation, dspite a high pressure in the LV preoperatively. Because an increase in the systolic ventricular pressure is not necessarily paralleled by an increase in ventricular mass, which is also essential for optimal ventricular performance after the operation. We report here a case of rapid LV training after ASO in TGA with unprepared LV (because of large ASD and restrictive VSD) despite a high pressure in the LV(due to LVOTO) preoperatively.
Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Humans ; Transposition of Great Vessels* ; Ventricular Pressure

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of study was to assess in a longitudinal study of maternal plasma concentrations of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha), Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), Lipid peroxide (malonaldehyde, MDA) in uncomplicated pregnancy. METHODS: Blood was collected from healthy women at 4 to 41 weeks' gestation and non-pregnant women. Plasma samples were measured by immunoassay for TNF-alpha, VACM-1 and by colorimetric assay for lipid peroxide, and data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Plasma concentration of TNF-alpha was not significantly elevated during first trimester compared with non-pregnant women, but significantly elevated during second and third trimester compared with non-pregnant women. Plasma concentration of VCAM-1 was significantly elevated during first trimester compared with non-pregnant women. Plasma concentration of lipid peroxide was not significantly elevated during pregnancy compared with non-pregnant women. CONCLUSION: The plasma concentration of TNF-alpha and VCAM-1 were significantly higher than that of non-pregnant state during second and third trimester in case of TNF-alpha, and during first trimester in case of VCAM-1. But the plasma concentration of lipid peroxide during pregnancy was not significantly different from that of non-pregnant, and the plasma concentration was kept up constant levels during gestation. These were seems to be meant that abnormal pregnancy would be happened if the level is above or below the measured level.
Cell Adhesion ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Longitudinal Studies ; Necrosis ; Plasma* ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate for the clinical analysis on abruptio placenta, we examined its incidence, diagnostic methods, symptom and sign, perinatal mortality, and recurrence rate. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of the 396 cases of abruptio placenta among 72.580 deliveries, from Jan. 1, 1990 to Dec. 31, 1997, at St. Mary, Kang Nam St. Mary, and Holy Family Hospital of Catholic University. RESULTS: The total incidence of abruptio placenta was 0.51%, the incidence plotted by age from 1993 to 1997 has shown that the age incidence was higher in 20-24years old(0.7%), and over 35years old (0.8%). 42.5% of the case occurred between 32 to 37weeks of gestational age, 39.6% was over 37weeks. 38% of the patient was diagnosed before delivery with ultrasonography and the most common complaint was vaginal bleeding. The complication of abruptio placenta is as follows, Couvelaire uterus occurred in 26cases(7.0 %), DIC in 10cases(2.7 %), ARF in 4cases (1.1 %), and uterine rupture in 1case(0.3 %). Perinatal mortality including 41cases of stillbirth was 19.9 %(73cases) but no maternal death was noted. A history of abruptio placenta increased risk of a similar incident in a subsequent pregnancy by 19 cases(4.6 %: 9.0 fold)complicated with 13 cases of pregnancy induced hypertension(76.5 %). CONCLUSION: The incidence of abruptio placenta plotted by age have shown higher in 20-25years old and over 35 years old, hypertensive women experienced abruptio placenta are more likely to have higher graded recurrent rate in subsequent pregnancy, and abruptio placenta is major obstetric bleeding disease causing serious maternal and fetal complication.
Adult ; Dacarbazine ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Maternal Death ; Medical Records ; Perinatal Mortality ; Placenta* ; Pregnancy ; Recurrence ; Stillbirth ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Uterine Rupture ; Uterus