Increasing concerns on animal welfare, the discussion about the necessity and the ethical acceptability of animal experiments is getting important. In this article, we describe ethical issues between the benefits of the animal experiments and the suffering of the animals. If there are no alternatives for animal experiments, the ethical guidelines, 3Rs (Reduction, Replacement, Refinement) by Russell and Burch for humane animal experiments should be considered. Moreover, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) assist researchers to perform animal testing humanely and safely. We point out three important aspects in support of humane animal experiments; 1) the development of diverse scientific alternatives on the animal testing, 2) the ethical education of animal experiments for researchers, 3) the productive interactions among various social groups on ethics and safety of animal experiments.
Animal Experimentation ; Animal Welfare ; Animals ; Humans ; Stress, Psychological

Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM)-associated heart failure (HF) causes high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we established a zebrafish larvae model for in vivo research on diabetic HF. Methods: DM-like phenotypes were induced by treating zebrafish larvae with a combination of D-glucose (GLU) and streptozotocin (STZ). HF was induced by treatment with terfenadine (TER), a potassium channel blocker. Additionally, myocardial contractility, motility, and viability were evaluated. Results: The zebrafish larvae treated with a combination of GLU and STZ showed significantly higher whole-body glucose concentrations, lower insulin levels, and higher phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase levels, which are markers of abnormal glucose homeostasis, than the group treated with only GLU, with no effect on viability. When treated with TER, DM zebrafish showed significantly less myocardial fractional shortening and more irregular contractions than the non-DM zebrafish. Furthermore, in DM-HF with reduced ejection fraction (rEF) zebrafish, a significant increase in the levels of natriuretic peptide B, a HF biomarker, markedly reduced motility, and reduced survival rates were observed. Conclusions We established a DM-HFrEF zebrafish model by sequentially treating zebrafish larvae with GLU, STZ, and TER. Our findings indicate the potential utility of the developed zebrafish larvae model not only in screening studies of new drug candidates for DM-HFrEF but also in mechanistic studies to understand the pathophysiology of DM-HFrEF.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although many approaches using various anatomic landmarks to identify the facial nerve trunk have been reported, each technique has its advantages and disadvantage. The author employed the tragal pointer as an anatomical landmark for identifying the facial nerve trunk. It had an advantage for ease use and safety, but influenced by the size, location of the tumor and adjacent tissue. The pattern of peripheral facial nerve branching is extremely variable in parotid gland. Davis et al. classified the peripheral pattern of the facial nerve by anastomoses pattern of the branches. The objectives of this study is to evaulate the usefullness of the tragal pionter as a landmark for identification of the facial nerve trunk, and anatomical variation of the facial nerve during patorid tumor surgery. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We analyzed the medical records retrospectively, 53 patients for whom parotid surgery due to parotid tumor were selected from 1989 to 1997. RESULTS: 1) Mean distance from the pointer to the facial nerve trunk and bifurcation were 12.3 mm and 13.5 mm respectively. 2) In atypical course of the retromandibular vein cases, the vein crosses facial nerve trunk medially and attaches to facial nerve branches. 3) The frequency of peripheral pattern of the facial nerve were type III (35.8%), type II (28.3%), type IV (15.1%), type I (9.4%), type V and others (5.7%) in order of frequency. CONCLUSION: In most cases, the length of the facial nerve in deep lobe tumors of the parotid was shorter than that in superficial tumors. It located at more superficial portion than we expected, so we should pay more attention to it during parotid surgery. In type III pattern of peripheral branches of facial nerve, we should identify the anastomosis of buccal and zygomatic branches. Mandibular branch rarely had an anastomosis with the other facial nerve branches in its peripheral distribution.
Anatomic Landmarks ; Facial Nerve* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Parotid Gland ; Retrospective Studies ; Veins

Dengue viral infection has rapidly spread around the world in recent decades. In Korea, autochthonous cases of dengue fever have not been confirmed yet. However, imported dengue cases have been increased since 2001. The risk of developing severe dengue in Korean has been increased by the accumulation of past-infected persons with residual antibodies to dengue virus and the remarkable growth of traveling to endemic countries in Southeast Asia. Notably, most of imported dengue cases were identified from July to December, suggesting that traveling during rainy season of Southeast Asia is considered a risk factor for dengue infection. Analyzing national surveillance data from 2011 to 2015, males aged 20–29 years are considered as the highest risk group. But considering the age and gender distribution of travelers, age groups 10–49 except 20–29 years old males have similar risks for infection. To minimize a risk of dengue fever and severe dengue, travelers should consider regional and seasonal dengue situation. It is recommended to prevent from mosquito bites or to abstain from repetitive visit to endemic countries. In addition, more active surveillance system and monitoring the prevalence asymptomatic infection and virus serotypes are required to prevent severe dengue and indigenous dengue outbreak.
Antibodies ; Asia, Southeastern ; Asymptomatic Infections ; Culicidae ; Dengue Virus ; Dengue* ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors* ; Seasons ; Serogroup ; Severe Dengue

We report idiopathic intranuclear inclusion bodies in the renal tubular epithelia of two cases of among the 960 Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the course of the acute oral toxicity and dietary toxicity test. Basophilic inclusion bodies were seen only in the nuclei of renal tubular epithelia. We could not classify our case into any adenovirus infection by clinical signs and lesions. The inclusion bodies were only identified as adenovirus-like particles based upon the electronmicroscopical features.
Animals ; *Coturnix ; Epithelial Cells/*ultrastructure ; *Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies ; Kidney Tubules/*ultrastructure

Migraine is a disabling headache that can occur with or without aura. We present here a case of migraine that was effectively managed by a series of cervical epidural blocks. A 41-year-old woman who had suffered from severe headache on her left temporal area for 12 years visited our pain clinic. Her 11-point numeric pain rating scale was 10 out of 10 at the first visit and the symptoms were associated with homonymous visual disturbances, paresthesia on the left face, shoulder and arm, and general weakness. For the first 5 years after the headaches began, her headache was relatively well controlled by acetaminophen; after then, the acetaminophen wasn't effective. After wandering from this hospital to the next one in search of relief, she managed to visit our pain clinic. We tried several blocks including cervical epidural block, and she was continuously medicated with sumatriptan. Her headache was gradually relieved. Now, her 11-point numeric rating scale is 1-2 out of 10 at the most during her headache attacks.
Acetaminophen ; Adult ; Arm ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders* ; Pain Clinics ; Paresthesia ; Shoulder ; Sumatriptan

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Frontal recess anatomy can be very complex, with accessory cells extending to the frontal sinus and possibly contributing to the obstruction of the frontal sinus. However, there is still controversy on the effect of the frontal recess cells. We designed this study to assess the effect of frontal recess cells on frontal sinusitis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed chart and collected data of those who visited the outpatient clinic between January and June, 2011. Parnasal sinus CT was taken with Brillance 64-slice computed tomography scanners. The image was reviewed by two or more otolaryngologists to identify the frontal recess cells. The nasofrontal isthmus diameter and the area of nasofrontal isthmus was reconstructed and measured with workstation. Then, we compared the radiological results of frontal recess cells with the frequency of frontal sinusitis. RESULTS: The presence of anterior group of frontal recess cells showed no influence on the frontal recess anatomy. The presence of frontal bullar cell was significantly associated with the development of frontal sinusitis by simple (p=0.001) and multiple (p=0.038) logistic regression models. It was shown that the narrower the area of frontal isthmus the more developed were the frontal sinusitis, showing statistically significance in the simple (p=0.013) and multiple (p=0.017) logistic regression models. CONCLUSION: Our results also showed that similar results compared to previous Asianreport. The narrowness of nasofrontal isthmus could be the cause of frontal sinusitis. The frontal bullar cell could be the cause of frontal sinusitis encroaching on the frontal recess and affect the nasofrontal pathway.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Frontal Sinus ; Frontal Sinusitis ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Retrospective Studies

Background/Aims: Angiotensin II in the failing heart initially helps to maintain cardiac output and blood pressure, but ultimately accelerates its deterioration. In this study, we established a model of arrhythmia-induced heart failure (HF) in zebrafish and investigated the role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) modulation by using an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, fimasartan, through the assessment of cellular and physiologic responses, morbidity, and mortality. Methods: HF was induced in zebrafish larvae by exposure to 20 μM terfenadine. Morphologic, physiologic, and functional parameters were assessed in the presence or absence of fimasartan treatment. Results: Zebrafish exposed to terfenadine showed marked dilatation of the ventricle and reduced systolic function. Treatment with terfenadine was associated with 10-fold higher expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (p < 0.001 vs. vehicle), increased p53 mRNA expression, and chromatin fragmentation in the TUNEL assay, all of which were significantly reduced by fimasartan treatment. Moreover, fimasartan improved fractional shortening (terfenadine + fimasartan 16.9% ± 3.1% vs. terfenadine + vehicle 11.4% ± 5.6%, p < 0.05) and blood flow (terfenadine + fimasartan 479.1 ± 124.1 nL/sec vs. terfenadine + vehicle 273.0 ± 109.0 nL/sec, p < 0.05). Finally, treatment with fimasartan remarkably reduced mortality (terfenadine + fimasartan 36.0% vs. terfenadine + vehicle 96.0%, p < 0.001). Conclusions Fimasartan effectively protected against the progression of HF in zebrafish by improving hemodynamic indices, which improved survival. A reduction in apoptotic cell death and an improvement in hemodynamics may be the mechanisms behind these effects. Further human studies are warranted to evaluate the possible role of fimasartan in the treatment of HF.

Background: Fractional picosecond lasers is effective for the treatment of wrinkles or acne scars. Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of treatment with a fractional 1,064-nm picosecond laser with a diffractive optic element for facial wrinkles and acne scars. Methods: This prospective open-labeled trial comprised 22 subjects with facial wrinkles or acne scars. Subjects received three laser treatments with a fractional 1,064-nm picosecond laser at 3-week intervals. The efficacy and safety were evaluated at every visit and 2 months after the final treatment (14 weeks from the first treatment session). Global photographic assessments were performed by three blinded dermatologists and the subjects. Skin profilometry was performed using three-dimensional digital photographs; viscoelasticity was measured. Results: The overall mean global improvement scores assessed by the dermatologists at weeks 3, 6, and 14, were 1.8±1.46, 2.5±1.88, and 3.5±1.84, respectively, and those assessed by the subjects were 2.7±2.08, 4.1±2.24, and 5.0±2.52, respectively. Skin profilometry showed significant improvements in the skin wrinkles, texture, depressions, and pores. The gross elasticity and skin firmness significantly improved by 10.96% and 9.04%, respectively. The major adverse reactions were erythema, pruritus, and petechiae, which disappeared within 2∼3 days. Conclusion The fractional 1,064-nm picosecond laser is an effective and safe therapeutic modality for skin rejuvenation.

Background: Fractional picosecond lasers is effective for the treatment of wrinkles or acne scars. Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of treatment with a fractional 1,064-nm picosecond laser with a diffractive optic element for facial wrinkles and acne scars. Methods: This prospective open-labeled trial comprised 22 subjects with facial wrinkles or acne scars. Subjects received three laser treatments with a fractional 1,064-nm picosecond laser at 3-week intervals. The efficacy and safety were evaluated at every visit and 2 months after the final treatment (14 weeks from the first treatment session). Global photographic assessments were performed by three blinded dermatologists and the subjects. Skin profilometry was performed using three-dimensional digital photographs; viscoelasticity was measured. Results: The overall mean global improvement scores assessed by the dermatologists at weeks 3, 6, and 14, were 1.8±1.46, 2.5±1.88, and 3.5±1.84, respectively, and those assessed by the subjects were 2.7±2.08, 4.1±2.24, and 5.0±2.52, respectively. Skin profilometry showed significant improvements in the skin wrinkles, texture, depressions, and pores. The gross elasticity and skin firmness significantly improved by 10.96% and 9.04%, respectively. The major adverse reactions were erythema, pruritus, and petechiae, which disappeared within 2∼3 days. Conclusion The fractional 1,064-nm picosecond laser is an effective and safe therapeutic modality for skin rejuvenation.