The role that antioxidants play in the process of carcinogenesis has recently gained considerable attention. alpha-Lipoic acid, a naturally occurring disulfide molecule, is a powerful antioxidant that reportedly exerts beneficial effects in patients with advanced cancer by reducing the level of reactive oxygen species and increasing glutathione peroxidase activity. In this study, we examined changes in the protein and mRNA expression associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cultured in the presence of various concentrations (0, 250, 500, and 1000 micromol/L) of alpha-lipoic acid. The results revealed that alpha-lipoic acid inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells in a dose-independent manner (P < 0.05). Additionally, ErbB2 and ErbB3 protein and mRNA expressions were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in response to alpha-lipoic acid (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the protein expression of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) levels and total Akt, and the mRNA expression of Akt were decreased dose-dependently in cells that were treated with alpha-lipoic acid (P < 0.05). Bcl-2 protein and mRNA expressions were also decreased in cells that were treated with alpha-lipoic acid (P < 0.05). However, Bax protein and mRNA expressions were increased in cells treated with alpha-lipoic acid (P < 0.05). Finally, caspase-3 activity was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner in cells treated with alpha-lipoic acid (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we demonstrated that alpha-lipoic acid inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines.
Antioxidants ; Apoptosis ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Humans ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; RNA, Messenger ; Thioctic Acid

This experimental studies was to investigate the location of CNS labeled neurons following injection of pseudorabies virus (PRV), Bartha strain, into the rat thymus. After survival times of 96~120 hours following injection of PRV, the rats were perfused, and their spinal cord and brain were frozen sectioned(30micrometer). These sections were stained by PRV immunohistochemical staining method, and observed with light microscope The results were as follows: 1. The PRV labeled spinal cord segments projecting to the rat thymus were founded in cervical and thoracic segments. Densely labeled areas of each spinal cord segment were founded in lamina V, VII, X, intermediolateral nucleus and dorsal nucleus. 2. In the rhombencephalon, PRV labeled neurons projecting to the thymus were founded in the A1 noradrenalin cells/C1 adrenalin cells/caudoventrolateral reticular nucleus, rostroventro-lateral reticular nucleus, medullary reticular nucleus, area postrema, nucleus solitary tract, nucleus raphe obscurus, nucleus raphe pallidus, nucleus raphe magnus, gigantocellular reticular nucleus, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus and spinal trigeminal nucleus. 3. In the mesencephalon, PRV labeled neurons were founded in parabrachial nucleus, Kolliker-Fuse nucleus, central gray matter, substantia nigra, nucleus dorsal raphe, A8 dopamin cells of retrorubral field, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, locus coeruleus, subcoeruleus nucleus and A5 noradrenalin cells. 4. In the prosencephalon, PRV labeled neurons were founded in reuniens thalamic nucleus, paraventricular thalamic nucleus, precommissural nucleus, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, anterior hypothalamic nucleus, lateral hypothalamic nucleus, preoptic hypothalamic nucleus, retrochiasmatic area, arcuate nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. These results suggest that PRV labeled neurons of the spinal cord projecting to the rat thymus might be the neurons related to the viscero-somatic sensory and sympathetic preganglionic neurons, and PRV labeled neurons of the brain may be the neurons response to the movement of smooth muscle in blood vessels. These PRV labeled neurons may be central autonomic center related to the integration and modulation of reflex control linked to the sensory system monitoring the internal environment. These observations provide evidence for previously unknown projections from spinal cord and brain to the thymus which may be play an important role in the regulation of thymic function.
Animals ; Anterior Hypothalamic Nucleus ; Arcuate Nucleus ; Area Postrema ; Blood Vessels ; Brain ; Dorsomedial Hypothalamic Nucleus ; Herpesvirus 1, Suid* ; Hypothalamic Area, Lateral ; Immunohistochemistry ; Locus Coeruleus ; Mesencephalon ; Midline Thalamic Nuclei ; Muscle, Smooth ; Neurons* ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; Prosencephalon ; Pseudorabies* ; Rats* ; Reflex ; Rhombencephalon ; Spinal Cord ; Substantia Nigra ; Thymus Gland* ; Trigeminal Nucleus, Spinal ; Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in corneal keratometry (K) readings after corneal collagen cross- linking (CXL) using 20% alcohol in primary keratoconus and keratectasia after refractive surgery. METHODS: Twelve eyes of 10 patients with primary keratoconus and 3 eyes of 3 patients with keratectasia after refractive surgery were included in the present study. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and mean K, corneal astigmatism by corneal topography, and mean K, corneal astigmatism, and spherical equivalent (SE) by auto refractometer were evaluated at baseline, and 6 months postoperatively. Eight eyes of 7 patients were also evaluated 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean BCVA improved from log MAR 0.66 +/- 0.50 to log MAR 0.55 +/- 0.58 (p = 0.100) at 6 month after CXL. In corneal topography, mean K significantly decreased from 50.04 +/- 5.88 D to 49.18 +/- 6.15 D (p = 0.019), and corneal astigmatism slightly decreased from 5.33 +/- 4.47 D to 5.29 +/- 4.88 D (p = 0.755) at 6 months after CXL. According to the auto refractometer, mean K significantly decreased from 48.53 +/- 5.94 D to 47.95 +/- 5.79 D (p = 0.038), corneal astigmatism significantly decreased from 3.95 +/- 2.54 D to 3.52 +/- 2.40 D (p = 0.010), and SE significantly decreased from -6.25 +/- 3.45 D to -5.40 +/- 2.91 D (p = 0.037) at 6 months after CXL. Significant mean K and corneal astigmatism decreases in topography were also observed at 1 year after CXL. Complications related to CXL were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: CXL using 20% alcohol appears to be a safe and promising treatment modality with less corneal stromal damage in progressive primary keratoconus and keratectasia after refractive surgery.
Astigmatism ; Collagen ; Corneal Topography ; Eye ; Humans ; Keratoconus ; Reading ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; Visual Acuity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on body weight and lipid profiles in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high fat diet (HFD). After 4 weeks of feeding, rats on the HFD were divided into three groups by randomized block design; the first group received the high-fat-diet (n = 10), and the second group received the HFD administered with 0.25% alpha-lipoic acid (0.25LA), and the third group received the high-fat diet with 0.5% alpha-lipoic acid (0.5LA). The high fat diet with alpha-lipoic acid supplemented groups had significantly inhibited body weight gain, compared to that in the HFD group (P < 0.05). Organ weights of rats were also significantly reduced in liver, kidney, spleen, and visible fat tissues in rats supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid (P < 0.05). Significant differences in plasma lipid profiles, such as total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein, were observed between the HFD and 0.5LA groups. The atherogenic index and the plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio improved significantly with alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Total hepatic cholesterol and total lipid concentration decreased significantly in high fat fed rats supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05), whereas liver triglyceride content was not affected. In conclusion, alpha-lipoic acid supplementation had a positive effect on weight gain and plasma and liver lipid profiles in rats.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Kidney ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Organ Size ; Plasma ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; Thioctic Acid ; Triglycerides ; Weight Gain ; Weight Loss

Objective: This study standardizes the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) for Republic of Korean parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and verifies its reliability and validity. Methods: Data from 160 parents of children with ADHD who completed the following self-reported questionnaires were analyzed: the Korean ADHD Rating Scales, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, the PSS, and the Global Assessment of Recent Stress Scale. All scale items were measured for reliability and validity, and the appropriate factors for measuring stress in Korean parents with ADHD children were extracted. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses derived two sub-factors and 11 items. Goodness of fit was confirmed, and the scale was deemed suitable for explaining stress in parents of children with ADHD. Conclusion In this study, the validity and reliability of the K-PSS-ADHD were investigated. We expect that the K-PSS-ADHD will be used as a basis for future studies on stress in parents of children with ADHD.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to compare total energy expenditure (including PAL and RMR) of Korean farmers between the farming season and off farming season and to assess the accuracy of estimated energy requirement (EER) prediction equation reported in KDRIs. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects were 72 Korean farmers (males 23, females 49) aged 30-64 years. Total energy expenditure was calculated by multiplying measured RMR by PAL. EER was calculated by using the prediction equation suggested in KDRIs 2010. RESULTS: The physical activity level (PAL) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the farming season (male 1.77 +/- 0.22, female 1.69 +/- 0.24) than the off farming season (male 1.53 +/- 0.32, female 1.52 +/- 0.19). But resting metabolic rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the off farming season (male 1,890 +/- 233 kcal/day, female 1,446 +/- 140 kcal/day) compared to the farming season (male 1,727 +/- 163 kcal/day, female 1,356 +/- 164 kcal/day). TEE (2,304 +/- 497 kcal/day) of females was significantly higher in the farming season than that (2,183 +/- 389 kcal/day) of the off farming season, but in males, there was no significant difference between two seasons in TEE. On the other hand, EER of male and female (2,825 +/- 354 kcal/day and 2,115 +/- 293 kcal/day) of the farming season was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those (2,562 +/- 339 kcal/day and 1,994 +/- 224 kcal/day) of the off farming season. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that there is a significant difference in PAL and TEE of farmers between farming and off farming seasons. And EER prediction equation proposed by KDRI 2010 underestimated TEE, thus EER prediction equation for farmers should be reviewed.
Energy Metabolism* ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Seasons*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between grip and pinch strength and independence in activities of daily living (ADL) in stroke patients. METHODS: Medical records of 577 stroke patients from January 2010 to February 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' grip and pinch strength of both hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic hands and the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) score were collected. These patients were divided into three groups: group A (onset duration: < or =3 months), group B (onset duration: >3 months and <2 years), and group C (onset duration: > or =2 years). The correlation between grip and pinch strength and the K-MBI score was analyzed. RESULTS: In group A (95 patients), the K-MBI score was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with the grip and pinch strength of both hands in patients with right hemiplegia. Significant (p<0.05) correlation between the K-MBI score and the grip and pinch strength of the hemiplegic hand was shown in patients with left hemiplegia. In group B (69 patients) and group C (73 patients), the K-MBI score was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with the grip and pinch strength of the hemiplegic hand. CONCLUSION: Stroke patients in subacute stage mainly performed activities of daily living using their dominant hand. However, independence in ADL was associated with the strength of the affected dominant hand. For stroke patients in chronic and late chronic stages, their hand power of the affected hand was associated with independence in ADL regardless whether the dominant hand was affected.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Functional Laterality ; Hand ; Hand Strength* ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Pinch Strength* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke*

Ischemic colitis generally develops in the elderly patients with concomitant cardiovascular condition, diabetes mellitus, and renal insufficiency. This disease predominently occurs in the left colon, particularly splenic flexure and sigmoid colon. The most frequent symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, alteration in bowel functions and hematochezia. Blood loss is usually minimal in most patients. Herein, we report a case of ischemic colitis which developed on ascending colon with massive bleeding. A 48-year-old man was admitted because of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding for 7 days. He has underwent hemodialysis for thirteen years. Colonoscopy showed a circular ulcer on the ascending colon with partial stenosis and mass-like oozing lesion distal to the stenotic area. We performed right hemi-colectomy. Grossly, colon showed shallow ulceration and congested ileocecal valve coated with hemorrhage. Microscopically, ulcer bed showed thickened and fibrotic submucosa which had nearly obliterated atherosclerotic vessels.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Colitis, Ischemic* ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Colon, Transverse ; Colonoscopy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diarrhea ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Ileocecal Valve ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Ulcer

Heterotopic gastrointestinal cysts are rarely found in the oral cavity. Most of these cysts are lined with gastric mucosa and involve the tongue. There have been no reported heterotopic intestinal cysts of the submandibular gland that are completely lined with colonic mucosa. An 8-year-old girl presented with an enlarging swelling in the left submandibular area, and a 4-cm unilocular cyst was fully excised. The cyst was completely lined with colonic mucosa that was surrounded by smooth muscle layer, and the lining cells were positive for CDX-2, an intestinal marker, indicating a high degree of differentiation. The pathogenesis remains unclear, but it may be related to the misplacement of embryonic rests within the oral cavity during early fetal development. Although heterotopic intestinal cysts rarely occur in the submandibular gland, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of facial swellings in the pediatric population.
Colon ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fetal Development ; Gastric Mucosa ; Intestines ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Muscle, Smooth ; Submandibular Gland ; Tongue

Plastic biliary stents are commonly used during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Main indication for biliary stenting is benign or malignant obstruction. Plastic stents can be used as an escape route in patients with large common bile duct stones to provide drainage until definitive treatment. But, stent occlusion is the main disadvantage, limiting their patency to around 3 months, after which replacement is recommended. A biliary stent can act as a nidus for the biliary stone formation leading to stent-stone complex after long-term stent placement. This report was a case of a large stent-stone complex after plastic stent placement for 4 years. The stent-stone complex was successfully removed by mechanical lithotripsy and ballon catheter. In all other cases where plastic stents are placed into the common bile duct we should keep in mind that stents can act as nidus for stone formation, as all foreign bodies do.
Catheters ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Common Bile Duct ; Drainage ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Plastics* ; Stents* ; United Nations