Background: Large-scale studies about epidemiologic characteristics of renal infarction (RI) are few. In this study, we aimed to analyze the incidence and prevalence of RI with comorbidities in the South Korean population. Methods: We investigated the medical history of the entire South Korean adult population between 2013 and 2019 using the National Health Insurance Service database (n = 51,849,591 in 2019). Diagnosis of RI comorbidities were confirmed with International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Epidemiologic characteristics, distribution of comorbidities according to etiologic mechanisms, and trend of antithrombotic agents were estimated. Results: During the 7-years, 10,496 patients were newly diagnosed with RI. The incidence rate increased from 2.68 to 3.06 per 100,000 person-years during the study period.The incidence rate of RI increased with age peaking in the 70s with 1.41 times male predominance. The most common comorbidity was hypertension, followed by dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Regarding etiologic risk factor distribution, high embolic risk group, renovascular disease group, and hypercoagulable state group accounted for 16.6%, 29.1%, and 13.7% on average, respectively. For the antithrombotic treatment of RI, the prescription of antiplatelet agent gradually decreased from 17.0% to 13.0% while that of anticoagulation agent was maintained around 35%. The proportion of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants remarkably increased from only 1.4% to 17.6%. Conclusion Considering the progressively increasing incidence of RI and high prevalence of coexisting risk factors, constant efforts to raise awareness of the disease are necessary. The current epidemiologic investigation of RI would be the stepping-stone to establishing future studies about clinical outcomes and optimal treatment strategies.

BACKGROUND: Although Eriobotrya japonica leaves have been studied as a raw material for various cosmetic products, little is known about the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic activities of Eriobotrya japonica leaf ethanol extract (EJEE). METHODS: This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic activities of EJEE using different in vitro models. In addition, we investigated the potential irritation of EJEE to skin and eye using animal alternative tests. RESULTS: The total content of polyphenols, one of the active constituents of EJEE, was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and found to contain 88.68 mg tannic acid equivalent/g. EJEE showed a concentration-dependent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, and a superoxide dismutase-like activity. The anti-inflammatory effect of 0.5% (w/v) EJEE was demonstrated by a reduction in lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in RAW 264.7 cells. EJEE also significantly inhibited melanogenesis in melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced B16F1 cells. EJEE did not show any irritation in skin and eye in animal alternative test. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the EJEE possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic activities, while it did not induce toxicity or irritation in neither skin nor eye. Therefore, EJEE can be used as a cosmetic ingredient for skin improvement.
Animals ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Eriobotrya ; Ethanol ; In Vitro Techniques ; Melanocytes ; Nitric Oxide ; Polyphenols ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Skin ; Superoxides ; Tannins ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Previously, we demonstrated that galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) protects human keratinocytes against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced oxidative damage. In this study, we investigated the effect of galangin on induction of antioxidant enzymes involved in synthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH), and investigated the associated upstream signaling cascades. By activating nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), galangin treatment significantly increased expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and glutathione synthetase (GSS). This activation of Nrf2 depended on extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and protein kinase B (AKT) signaling. Inhibition of GSH in galangin-treated cells attenuated the protective effect of galangin against the deleterious effects of UVB. Our results reveal that galangin protects human keratinocytes by activating ERK/AKT-Nrf2, leading to elevated expression of GSH-synthesizing enzymes.
Catalytic Domain ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; Glutathione Synthase ; Glutathione* ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt

We investigated the role of autophagy in SNUC5/5-FUR, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistant SNUC5 colon cancer cells. SNUC5/5-FUR cells exhibited low level of autophagy, as determined by light microscopy, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry following acridine orange staining, and the decreased level of GFP-LC3 puncta. In addition, expression of critical autophagic proteins such as Atg5, Beclin-1 and LC3-II and autophagic flux was diminished in SNUC5/5-FUR cells. Whereas production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly elevated in SNUC5/5-FUR cells, treatment with the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine further reduced the level of autophagy. Taken together, these results indicate that decreased autophagy is linked to 5-FU resistance in SNUC5 colon cancer cells.
Acridine Orange ; Autophagy* ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Cysteine ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorouracil* ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Reactive Oxygen Species

BACKGROUND: Patients were subjected to post-discharge follow-up (by telephone) in order to investigate the potential complications of outpatient general anesthesia or deep sedation that could develop in disabled dental patients discharged from the hospital. The ultimate aim of this study was to establish an appropriate response measure for such complications. METHODS: The caregivers of 79 disabled patients who underwent dental procedures under general anesthesia at our outpatient clinic were interviewed over telephone. Necessary care instructions were provided during the phone calls when required. The patient satisfaction level regarding the telephonic follow-up care was surveyed by additional telephone calls. RESULTS: Most of the patients did not suffer any serious complications; however, some reported fever and bleeding. The data obtained in this study can be utilized towards the development of caregiver education pertaining to the ambulatory general anesthesia of dental patients with disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Additionally, we hope that the findings of this study will help minimize the effects of complications experienced by disabled dental patients undergoing ambulatory general anesthesia, as well as increase the overall patient satisfaction level.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Anesthesia, General* ; Caregivers ; Deep Sedation ; Education ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hemorrhage ; Hope ; Humans ; Outpatients* ; Patient Satisfaction ; Telephone*

It has been suggested that Helicobacter pylori eradication may influence production of some peptides in the stomach, which can affect appetite. This hypothesis is controversial. To verify the hypothesis, we conducted this randomized controlled trial using H. pylori infected subjects without any gastrointestinal symptoms. The treatment group received triple H. pylori eradication therapy for 7 days and the control group received no medication. We measured ghrelin, obestatin and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA levels in endoscopic biopsy specimens and the changes from baseline to follow-up. The plasma active n-octanoyl ghrelin and obestatin levels were measured in both groups. The ghrelin/obestatin ratios in plasma and gastric mRNA expression were calculated at baseline and follow-up. Ghrelin mRNA expression in the fundic mucosa after H. pylori eradication increased significantly compared to the control group (4.47+/-2.14 vs. 1.79+/-0.96, P=0.009), independent of inflammatory changes. However, obestatin mRNA expression decreased in the antral mucosa (-0.57+/-1.06 vs. 0.41+/-0.72, P=0.028). The treatment group showed a marginal increase (P=0.060) in plasma ghrelin/obestatin ratio. The TNF-alpha mRNA expression also decreased significantly with treatment. This randomized controlled trial demonstrates that H. pylori eradication increases ghrelin mRNA expression, independent of inflammatory cell changes.
Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa/*metabolism/microbiology ; Gastroscopy ; Ghrelin/blood/genetics/*metabolism ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy/genetics/*metabolism ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics/metabolism

The aim of this study is to introduce the accuracy of Ir-192 source's apparent activity using the well-type chamber and the Farmer-type ionization chamber in the high dose rate brachytherapy. We measured the apparent activity of Ir-192 that each medical center in the country has and the apparent activity of calibration certificate provided by manufacturer is compared with that by our experimental measurement. The number of sources used for the activity comparison was 5. The accuracy of the measured activity was in the range of -2.8% to -1.0% and -2.1% to 0.2% for the Farmer-type chamber system (Jig) and for the well-type, respectively. The maximum difference was within 1.0% for comparison with two calibration's tool. Our results demonstrate that well-type chamber as wall as Farmer-type chamber is a appropriate system as the routine source calibration procedures in HDR brachytherapy. Whenever a new source is installed to use in clinics, by periods, a source calibration should be carried out.
Brachytherapy ; Calibration

This study was conducted to determine the nutritional characteristics of horsemeat and bone meal in comparison with those of beef and pork presented by Dietary Reference Intakes For Koreans. Longissimus muscle and large metacarpal bone samples were collected from 20 fattened Jeju horses. Muscle samples were subjected to proximate analysis, assays for fatty acid profile and minerals, and bone samples to mineral assays. Horsemeat had similar levels of protein (21.1 vs 21.0 or 21.1%) and lower levels of fat (6.0 vs 14.1 or 16.1%) compared with beef or pork, respectively. Horsemeat had much higher levels of palmitoleic (8.2 vs 4.4 or 3.3%) and alpha-linolenic (1.4 vs 0.1 or 0.6%) acids than beef or pork, respectively. Linoleic acid was much higher in horsemeat (11.1%) and pork (10.1%) than in beef (1.6%). PUFA:SFA and n-6:n-3 ratios in horsemeat were 0.29 and 10.2, respectively. There were no big differences in mineral contents between horsemeat, beef and pork. For daily recommended mineral intakes of male adults (Dietary Reference Intakes For Koreans), phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc and copper can be provided up to 24, 2.5, 6.7, 21, 26 and 40%, respectively, by 100 g raw horsemeat, but calcium and manganese levels are negligible. Horse cannon bone had much higher mineral contents especially in calcium (10,193 mg/100 g), phosphorus (5,874 mg/100 g) and copper (0.79 mg/100 g). Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and retinol contents were 0.20, 0.21, 1.65 mg/100 g and 30 microgram/100 g, respectively. But ascorbic acid and beta-carotene were not detected. Our data demonstrated that higher levels of palmitoleic and alpha-linolenic acid in horsemeat than in beef and pork may be beneficial for human health. Horsemeat and bone meal are a good source of some minerals and vitamins.
Adult ; alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Ascorbic Acid ; beta Carotene ; Calcium ; Copper ; Horses ; Humans ; Iron ; Linoleic Acid ; Male ; Manganese ; Meals ; Minerals ; Niacin ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Riboflavin ; Sodium ; Vitamin A ; Vitamins ; Zinc

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare the clinical outcomes of intestinal Behcet's disease with a simple ulcer. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of 52 patients that were suspected as having intestinal Behcet's disease. Of these patients, 27 patients (Group 1) met both the criteria of the International Study Group for Behcet's Disease and the Behcet's Disease Research Committee of Japan. Thirteen patients (Group 2) met only the latter criteria and the other patients (Group 3) did not meet any criteria. The efficacy of medical treatment was assessed by the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and follow-up colonoscopic findings. RESULTS: The mean age for patients with a diagnosis of an intestinal lesion was 38.6+/-12.2 years. The sex ratio was 1.08:1 (M:F) and the mean follow-up duration was 35.2+/-39.5 months. A single, smaller than 5 mm, round and shallow ulcer with an erythematous margin that was located at the leocecal area showed most typical colonoscopic features for intestinal Behcet's disease. No significant differences were found in the clinical manifestations and colonoscopic findings among the three groups of patients. Nineteen (44%) patients achieved complere remission from a sumptomatic point of view and 10 (39%) patients were proved to be complete remission according to follow up colonoscopy after medical treatment. Eleven patients (21.2%) underwent surgery. The overall cumulative rates of a first surgery and re-surgery were 40.5% and 71.9% at 10 years. No statistical relationship was found in the response of medical treatment and the cumulative rate of surgery among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course and outcomes of an intestinal simple ulcer are not different from that for intestinal Behcet's disease.
Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Japan ; Medical Records ; Sex Ratio ; Ulcer*

We investigated the effect of low dose radiation on diabetes induced suppression of neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of rat. After 0.01 Gy, 0.1 Gy, 1 Gy and 10 Gy radiation was delivered, the dentate gyrus of hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were evaluated using immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), caspase-3, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining. The number of BrdU positive cells in the non-diabetic rats, diabetic rats without radiation, diabetic rats with 0.01 Gy radiation, diabetic rats with 0.1 Gy radiation, diabetic rats with 1 Gy radiation and diabetic rats with 10 Gy radiation were 55.4+/-8.5/mm2, 33.3+/-6.4/mm2, 67.7+/-10.5/mm2, 66.6+/-10.0/mm2, 23.5+/-6.3/mm2 and 14.3+/-7.2/mm2, respectively. The number of caspase-3 positive cells was 132.6+/-37.4/mm2, 378.6+/-99.1/mm2, 15.0+/-2.8/mm2, 57.1+/-16.9/mm2, 191.8+/-44.8/mm2 and 450.4+/-58.3/mm2, respectively. The number of TUNEL-positive cells was 24.5+/-2.0/mm2, 21.7+/-4.0/mm2, 20.4+/-2.0/mm2, 18.96+/-2.1/mm2, 58.3+/-7.9/mm2, and 106.0+/-9.8/mm2, respectively. These results suggest low doses of radiation paradoxically improved diabetes induced neuronal cell suppression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of rat.
Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Radiotherapy/methods ; Neurons/*metabolism ; Male ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Hippocampus/*cytology/metabolism/radiation effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/radiotherapy ; Dentate Gyrus/drug effects/*radiation effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Caspase 3/metabolism ; Bromodeoxyuridine/pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Animals