To assess the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and myocardial infarction in Koreans, we recruited 112 healthy, unrelated subjects (mean age 53.4 years) and 104 myocardial infarction survivors (mean age 54.2 years) of both sexes. An insertion/deletion (IID) polymorphism of the ACE gene was typed by polymerase chain reaction. The I allelic frequency of ACE gene in Korean subjects was irrelevant to myocardial infarction (patients, 65%; control subjects 66%), as was true with the D allele. When compared with other populations, the frequency of D allele in Koreans (0.34) was lower than that in Caucasians, and was close to that of other Oriental populations. The data suggest that the ACE gene polymorphism is not an independent genetic risk factor for myocardial infarction in Koreans.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Factors ; Survivors

Torsade de pointes is a life-threatening, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with prolongation of the QTc interval. Although torsade de pointes is found in many clinical settings, it is mostly drug induced. Similar problems have been described with nonsedating H1-selective antihistamines like terfenadine and astemizole. The increased risks of both H1-antihistamines were associated with exposure to supratherapeutic doses or concomitant exposure to the cytochrome P-450 inhibitors, ketoconazole, erythromycin and cimetidine. We report a 51-year-old woman with torsade de pointes and a long QTc interval caused by the combined use of terfenadine and itraconazole. After discontinuation of these drugs and treatments with electrical cardioversion and magnesium sulfate, torsade de pointes and prolonged QTc interval were no longer observed and she was discharged in good condition with a normal ECG. In conclusion, physicians should be aware that terfenadine and astemizole can cause torsade de pointes in rare cases.
Astemizole ; Cimetidine ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Electric Countershock ; Electrocardiography ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Itraconazole* ; Ketoconazole ; Magnesium Sulfate ; Middle Aged ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Terfenadine* ; Torsades de Pointes*

BACKGROUND: As silicon compounds including silatranes are known to be able to stimulate regeneration of collagen, many studies on the influence of silatranes on the process of wound healing have been conducted. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two new silatrane compounds (silatrane I, 1-vinylsilatrane; silatrane VII, 1-alkylsilatrane), tretinoin tocoferil (TT), and Centella asiatica extract (CAE) on the wound healing of experimental rat ulcers. METHOD: Twenty four male rats (weighing about 250-300g) were used in this study. Two full-thickness excised wounds were created on the back of each rat under anesthesia, and they were divided into the following eight groups (each group had 3 rats), according to the treatment modalities; Group 1: treated with silatrane I on the left ulcer and TT on the right ulcer; Group 2: treated with silatrane I on the left and CAE on the right; Group 3: treated with silatrane VII on the left and TT on the right; Group 4: treated with silatrane VII on the left and CAE on the right; Group 5: treated with silatrane I on the left and ointment base (control) on the right ; Group 6: treated with silatrane VII on the left and ointment base on the right ; Group 7: treated with TT on the left and ointment base on the right ; Group 8: treated with CAE on the left and ointment base on the right. Wound surface areas were measured daily and three parameters were compared; the percentage of wound contraction, speed of healing and complete healing time. RESULTS: The percentage of wound contraction in the two silatrane compounds and TT treated groups at the 7th day was greater than that of the control group. However, the ulcers treated with CAE did not show any statistically significant difference, as compared to the control. The speed of healing in the first 7 days for the two silatranes and TT treated groups was faster than that of the control group. But, the ulcers treated with CAE did not show any statistically significant difference, as compared to the control group. The woourds took less time to completely heal in the silatrane VII and TT treated groups than in the control. Nevertheless, the ulcers treated with the silatrane I and CAE did not show any statistically significant difference, as compared to the control. CONCLUSION: The Two silatrane compounds are as effective as TT in the treatment of rat skin ulcers.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Centella* ; Collagen ; Humans ; Male ; Rats* ; Regeneration ; Silicon Compounds ; Skin Ulcer ; Tretinoin* ; Ulcer* ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

Nowadays the importance of respiratory therapy is increasing with the development of modern medicine. Especially effective respiratory care in the field of anesthesia and intensive care unit has close relationship to the decrease of mortality or morbidity of the critically ill patients. Compared with spontaneous respiration, so various physiological changes related to these methods can occur. Because most modernized ventilations can choose the various respiratory patterns according to the patients' respiratory condition, it is ideal to select the respiratory mode which is least hazardous and most effective to the patients. To confirm the effects of respiratory therapy on the cardiovascular system and arterial blood gas in one-lung ventilation and in pulmonary edema, we made one-lung ventilation by deep right endobronchial intubation and ppulmonary edema was induced by oleid acid (0.05g/kg. IV) to 12 mongrel dogs. And we observed the cardiovascular changes and arterial blood gas analysis in the situation of applying the inspiratory pause(0.25sec. and 0.5sec) and positive end-expiratory pressure(5cm H2O and 10cm H2O). The results were as follows: 1) One-lung Ventilation. (i) Inspiratory pause-There were no changes of cardiovascular system and arterial blood gas in the inspiratory pause of 0.25 and 0.5 sec. (ii)PEEP-In 5cmH2O of PEEP there was no change of cardiovascular system, but there was decrease in PCO2(p<0.01) on arterial blood gas. In 10cmH2O of PEEP there was increase in heart rate(p<0.05) and decrease in cardiac output(p<0.05). There was decrease in PCO2(p<0.01), but there were no changes of pH and PO2 on arterial blood gas. 2) Pulmonary edema. (i) Inspiratory pause-There was increase in heart rate(p<0.01), but there was no change of arterial blood gas in the 0.25 and 0.5sec. inspiratory pause. (ii) PEEP- In 5cmH2O PEEP there was increase in heart rate(p<0.01), but there was no change of arterial blood gas in the 0.25 and 0.5 sec. inspiratory pause. In 10cmH2O PEEP there were decrease in sBP, dBP, MAP, increase in heart rate(p<0.05) and decrease in cardiac output(p<0.01). There were increase in pH(p<0.05) and PO2(p<0.01), decrease in PCO2. According to the above results in the condition of one-lung ventilation mechanical ventilation with inspiratory pause(0.25 or 0.5 sec) was not helpful to respiratory care. 5cmH2O PEEP could improve the pulmonary ventilation without ay changes of cardiovascular system, but 10cmH2O PEEP increased heart rate and decrease cardiac output. In the condition of pulmonary edema, mechanical ventilation with inspiratory pause(0.25 or 0.5 sec) could not improve the pulmonary ventilation with depression of cardiovascular system. PEEP (5 or 10 cmH2O) could improve the pulmonary condition in proportion to PEEP, but it also depressed the cardiovascular system. Therefore we concluded that mild degree PEEP (5cmH2O) may be helpful to the one-lung ventilation or pulmonary edema.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiovascular System* ; Critical Illness ; Depression ; Dogs ; Edema ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; History, Modern 1601- ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intensive Care Units ; Intubation ; Mortality ; One-Lung Ventilation* ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; Respiration ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Therapy ; Ventilation

OBJECTIVES: Many studies have suggested different neurobiological findings and clinical courses in alcoholism. Recently, subtyping in alcohol dependence has become essential to overcome the heterogeneity of patients. Among several criteria of subtypes, Lesch's typology is proposed to integrate biological, social, and psychological factors. This review provides neurobiological findings and treatment-responses of alcohol dependence according to Lesch's typology. METHOD: We searched the international published medical literature using the search terms 'Lesch's typology' and 'alcohol dependence' and using the limits 'human'. RESULTS: We identified 17 studies with subjects of alcohol dependence according to Lesch's typology. CONCLUSION: They indicated that each subtype of Lesch's typology can have specific neurobiological factors and different clinical responses as follows. Lesch's subtype 1 is characterized by severe withdrawal symptoms and associated with elevated glutamate and homocysteine. Lesch's subtype 2 is defined by individuals who drink alcohol as self-medication for anxiety. Their craving has significant positive correlations with prolactin, leptin level, or intake-volume (vasopressin). Lesch's subtype 4 is related to cerebral dysfunction and associated with increased glutamate and left-handedness. Clinical trials showed that naltrexone was effective in Lesch's subtype 3 and 4 patients, while acamprosate was effective in the subtypes 1 and 2.
Alcoholism ; Anxiety ; Glutamic Acid ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Leptin ; Naltrexone ; Population Characteristics ; Prolactin ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; Taurine

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dexamethasone and fluoxetine on the expression of 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) in C6 glioma cells. METHODS: The C6 glioma cells belong to control group were incubated with DMEM culture solution, the cells belong to dexamethasone group were incubated with dexamethasone for 6 hours, and the cells belong to fluoxetine group were incubated with fluoxetine for 1, 6, 24, and 72 hours, separately, and then exposed to dexamethasone for an additional 6 hours. Crude extracts from control, dexamethasone and fluoxetine-treated C6 glioma cells were separated on a 10% SDS-PAGE and probed with anti-HSP70 mAb. RESULTS: 1) Dexamethasone (10 uM, 6 hours) reduced the level of HSP70 expression relative to control, but this reduction was not statistically significant. 2) Pretreatment with fluoxetine (10 uM, 1, 6, 24, and 72 hours) and exposure to dexamethasone (10 uM, 6 hours) decreased the level of HSP70 expression according to the duration of fluoxetine treatment. 3) Fluoxetine significantly reduced the level of HSP70 at 24 and 72 hours compared to control. However, compare to the level of HSP70 expression at 24 hours, the level of HSP70 expression at 72 hours was elevated. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that dexamethasone and fluoxetine may affect HSP70 expression through effects on GR.
Animals ; Complex Mixtures ; Dexamethasone ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fluoxetine* ; Glioma* ; Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Hot Temperature* ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Rats*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dexamethasone and fluoxetine on the expression of 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) in C6 glioma cells. METHODS: The C6 glioma cells belong to control group were incubated with DMEM culture solution, the cells belong to dexamethasone group were incubated with dexamethasone for 6 hours, and the cells belong to fluoxetine group were incubated with fluoxetine for 1, 6, 24, and 72 hours, separately, and then exposed to dexamethasone for an additional 6 hours. Crude extracts from control, dexamethasone and fluoxetine-treated C6 glioma cells were separated on a 10% SDS-PAGE and probed with anti-HSP70 mAb. RESULTS: 1) Dexamethasone (10 uM, 6 hours) reduced the level of HSP70 expression relative to control, but this reduction was not statistically significant. 2) Pretreatment with fluoxetine (10 uM, 1, 6, 24, and 72 hours) and exposure to dexamethasone (10 uM, 6 hours) decreased the level of HSP70 expression according to the duration of fluoxetine treatment. 3) Fluoxetine significantly reduced the level of HSP70 at 24 and 72 hours compared to control. However, compare to the level of HSP70 expression at 24 hours, the level of HSP70 expression at 72 hours was elevated. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that dexamethasone and fluoxetine may affect HSP70 expression through effects on GR.
Animals ; Complex Mixtures ; Dexamethasone ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fluoxetine* ; Glioma* ; Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Hot Temperature* ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Rats*

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to determine the intracellular action of the antidepressant, venlafaxine, in C6 glioma cells using heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) immunocytochemistry and HSP70 Western blots; HSP70 is known to be associated with stress and depression. METHODS: The extent of HSP70 expression was measured after rat C6 glioma cells were treated with 1) dexamethasone only, 2) venlafaxine only, 3) simultaneous venlafaxine and dexamethasone, or 4) dexamethasone after venlafaxine pretreatment. Dexamethasone (10 microM, 6 hours) did not affect the level of HSP70 expression relative to control. RESULTS: Short-term (1 hour) venlafaxine treatment significantly increased the level of HSP 70 expression. Simultaneous long-term (72 hours) venlafaxine and dexamethasone treatment significantly reduced the level of HSP70 expression. Dexamethasone treatment administered following long-term (24 and 72 hours) pretreatment with venlafaxine also significantly reduced the level of HSP70 expression. CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with venlafaxine increases the expression of HSP70, but prolonged treatment with dexamethasone suppresses the venlafaxine-induced expression of HSP70. These findings suggest that HSP70 and dexamethasone play a significant role in the pathophysiology of depression.
Animals ; Cyclohexanols ; Depression ; Dexamethasone ; Glioma ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rats ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of venlafaxine, one of novel antidepressant drugs, on neurite growth in PC12 cells. METHODS: PC12 cells were cultured with NGF for eight days. Then different concentrations(0micrometer, 1micrometer, 5micrometer) of venlafaxine were mixed with cultured PC12 cells. After 24 hours and 48 hours of culture, we compared the effects of venlafaxine on the total length of neurites of cultured PC12 cells between no venlafaxine treated group(0micrometer) and venlafaxine treated groups(1micrometer and 5micrometer). Additionally, we studied the concentration-dependent effect of venlafaxine on differentiation in PC12 cells. RESULTS: Experimental results showed that 1) the mean length of neurites in 1micrometer and 5micrometer venlafaxine treated group was more increased than no venlafaxine treated group(p=0.002). 2) the length of neurite in 5micrometer venlafaxine treated group was more elongated than 1micrometer venlafaxine treated group(p=0.046). 3) the length of neurite in 6micrometer venlafaxine treated group was more elongated than all the other concentrations in our experiment. Above 6micrometer, the length of neurite was shortened in inverse proportion to the concentration of venlafaxine. CONCLUSIONS: This results suggest that venlafaxine, one of novel antidepressant drugs, promotes the differentiation of neuron. This study is believed to be a first step toward understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of antidepressant treatment.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Neurites* ; Neurons ; PC12 Cells* ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

While the presence of pinworm eggs in archaeological samples has been reported by many researchers in the New World, those have been detected very scarcely in the Old World, especially in East Asian countries. In fact, many parasite species were recovered from the archeological remains in Korea, eggs of Enterobius vermicularis had not been found. Recently, a female mummy buried in the 17th century was discovered in the Joseon tomb from Dangjin-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. After rehydration process for 12 days, investigations were carried on the luminal surface of the colon. From them, 3 eggs of E. vermicularis were recovered. They were elliptical, transparent with a thin egg shell, 50.3+/-5.2 microm (length) and 28.2+/-3.9 microm (width) in size. This is the first discovery of E. vermicularis eggs in East Asia.
Animals ; Colon/parasitology ; Enterobius/*isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Mummies/*parasitology ; Ovum