Cardiac dysfunctions such as myocardial functional failure and ventricular arrhythmia have been largely attributed to intracellular Ca2+ overload. One of the mechanisms of intracellular Ca2+ overload involves a rapid influx of Ca2+ via Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange during the reperfusion which utilizes the accumulation of Na+ in myocytes during ischemic cardiac arrest. Possible sources of the intracellular Na+ accumulation include Na+ channel, Na(+)-H+ exchange, Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange, and Na+ background current. In this study, we studied the role of the Na+ background current in intracellular Na+ accumulation during the cardiac arrest by measuring the Na+ background current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes with whole cell clamp method and evaluating the effects of cardioprotective drugs on the Na+ background current. The results were as follows: (1) The Na+ background inward current at -40 mV membrane potential was larger at Ca2+ free solution than 1.8 mM Ca2+ solution. (2) The Na+ background current was not affected by verapamil. (3) 2 microM O-(N, N-hexamethylene)-amiloride (HMA) decreased the Na+ background current at negative membrane potential. (4) The new cardioprotective drug, R 56865, decreased the Na+ background current. These results suggest that the Na+ background current plays a role in increasing the intracellular Na+ activity during high K+ cardioplegia and the blocking effect of myoprotective drugs, such as R 56865, on the Na+ background current may contribute to myocardial protection after cardioplegia.
Amiloride/pharmacology ; Animal ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart/*drug effects ; Heart Arrest, Induced ; Myocardium/metabolism ; Piperidines/pharmacology ; Potassium/pharmacology ; Sodium/*metabolism ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Thiazoles/pharmacology ; Verapamil/pharmacology

The prevalence of periodontal disease was steadily increased. The best prevention methods for periodontal disease are teeth brushing and scaling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of scaling experience and related factors among some workers. Total 455 workers in 5 manufacturing companies in Gwangju were selected using convenience sampling method. General characteristics, work-related characteristics, oral health-related characteristics and scaling experience were collected by self-reported questionnaires. Chi-square tests, t-tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate the factors influencing the scaling experience using SPSS software. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value<0.05. The proportion of scaling experience during the past year was 47.0%. In simple analysis, age, current working position, number of oral disease, interest in oral health, use of secondary oral products, oral health screening use, oral health education experience and awareness of scaling inclusion in the National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage were associated with scaling experience. Finally, the odds ratios (ORs) for scaling experience were significantly higher in younger subjects (adjusted OR [aOR], 3.09; 95% confidence internal [CI], 1.60∼5.96), assistant manager (aOR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.55∼4.63), subjects with high interest in oral health (aOR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.02∼4.52), subjects with oral health screening use (aOR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.50∼5.11) and awareness of scaling inclusion in the NHI coverage (aOR; 2.91, 95% CI, 1.80∼4.72) in multiple logistic regression analysis. Scaling experience was relatively low (47.0%). The related factors with scaling experience were age, working position, use of screening and awareness of scaling inclusion in the NHI coverage. Considering these factors will increase the utilization rate of scaling.
Dental Scaling ; Education ; Employment ; Gwangju ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; National Health Programs ; Occupations ; Odds Ratio ; Oral Health ; Periodontal Diseases ; Prevalence ; Tooth

This study aimed to examine the relationship between nutrition intake and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) indicating kidney function in Korean individuals without diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Study participants from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014 (n = 4,378, 30–65 years) were classified by their eGFR levels (mL/min/1.732 m²): ≥ 120 (n = 299), 119–105 (n = 789), 104–90 (n = 1,578), 89–60 (n = 1,685), < 60 (n = 27). After adjusted for confounding factors (age, sex, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, total caloric intake [TCI], income status, education level, body mass index, and physical activity), blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, fasting glucose, and glycated hemoglobin were higher, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in participants with lower eGFR levels than those with higher eGFR levels. n-3 fatty acid (FA) and n-6 FA (% of TCI/day) intake were also significantly higher in participants with higher eGFR levels than in those with lower eGFR levels. Based on the above results, participants were subdivided into 3 groups according to n-6 FA intake levels (Q1: ≥ 2.93%, n = 1,462; Q2: 2.92%–1.88%, n = 1,463; Q3: < 1.88%, n = 1,453). People consuming higher n-6 FAs, particularly the Q1 group showed higher eGFR levels and lower levels of LDL cholesterol and creatinine. In conclusion, higher intake of n-6 FAs within the range of dietary reference may be beneficial to maintain healthy kidney function.
Adult* ; Alanine Transaminase ; Alcohol Drinking ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Creatinine ; Education ; Energy Intake ; Fasting ; Glomerular Filtration Rate* ; Glucose ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Kidney ; Korea* ; Lipoproteins ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Smoking

Klotho deficiency is an early event in acute kidney injury (AKI) that exacerbates acute kidney damage. The present study explored the expression of Klotho and inflammation related factors in cisplatin-induced AKI. Rats (n = 18) were treated with cisplatin intraperitoneal injection (5 mg/kg) or left untreated as controls (n = 6), then sacrificed at 5 (n = 6) and 10 days (n = 6) treatment. Five days after cisplatin injection, the serum kidney enzymes and kidney cell apoptosis were significantly increased. Moreover, the expression of Klotho was decreased when compared to the control group, especially in the cortex and outer medulla regions. In contrast, inflammation related signals including nuclear factor kappa B, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis were enhanced. However, 10 days after cisplatin injection, Klotho expression was enhanced upon both IHC and Western blot analysis, with slightly recovered renal function and decreased apoptosis. Furthermore, inflammation related signals expression was decreased relative to the 5 days group. Overall, this study confirmed the opposite expression patterns between Klotho and inflammation related signals and their localization in cisplatin-induced AKI kidney.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cisplatin* ; Inflammation ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Kidney ; Necrosis ; NF-kappa B ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between transient bradycardia following cordocentesis and adverse pregnancy outcome. METHODS: 117 cordocentesis was performed at Samsung Cheil hospital and women's healthcare center, between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2002. Clinically significant bradycardia was defined as a drop in the heart rate to less than 120 bpm. The adverse outcome included major anomaly, chromosomal abnormality, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and intrauterine fetal death. RESULTS: Bradycardia following cordocentesis was observed in 13 cases (11.1 per cent). The fetal heart rate before (149.2 +/- 0.7 bpm) and after (144.7 +/- 2.8 bpm) cordocenteis was significantly different. The adverse outcome rate was 50.0 per cent (6/12) in cases with bradycardia and 27.7 per cent (26/94) in those without bradycardia (RR=2.6, P=NS). CONCLUSION: Our result is that the association between transient bradycardia following cordocentesis and adverse pregnancy isn't statistically significant, even though adverse outcome is more frequent in pateints with bradycaredia. Therefore, patient with bradycardia following cordocentesis need periodic fetal surveillance.
Bradycardia* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cordocentesis* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Heart Rate ; Heart Rate, Fetal ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Premature Birth

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between transient bradycardia following cordocentesis and adverse pregnancy outcome. METHODS: 117 cordocentesis was performed at Samsung Cheil hospital and women's healthcare center, between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2002. Clinically significant bradycardia was defined as a drop in the heart rate to less than 120 bpm. The adverse outcome included major anomaly, chromosomal abnormality, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and intrauterine fetal death. RESULTS: Bradycardia following cordocentesis was observed in 13 cases (11.1 per cent). The fetal heart rate before (149.2 +/- 0.7 bpm) and after (144.7 +/- 2.8 bpm) cordocenteis was significantly different. The adverse outcome rate was 50.0 per cent (6/12) in cases with bradycardia and 27.7 per cent (26/94) in those without bradycardia (RR=2.6, P=NS). CONCLUSION: Our result is that the association between transient bradycardia following cordocentesis and adverse pregnancy isn't statistically significant, even though adverse outcome is more frequent in pateints with bradycaredia. Therefore, patient with bradycardia following cordocentesis need periodic fetal surveillance.
Bradycardia* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cordocentesis* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Heart Rate ; Heart Rate, Fetal ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Premature Birth

Paclitaxel-Cisplatin based chemotherapy in invasive squamous cell carcinoma of cervix during pregnancy has not been reported previously. A woman was diagnosed with stage II b invasive squamous cell carcinoma of cervix during pregnancy at 27 weeks gestational age. She was treated with two cycles of paclitaxel and cisplatin during pregnancy. At 36 weeks, she underwent a classical cesarean section and bilateral paraaortic lymphadenectomy. One additional cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given. She developed a recurrence within 6 months of surgery. The infant has normal growth and development at 4.3 months of age. This is the first reported case of paclitaxel-cisplatin use in cervical cancer during pregnancy.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Cesarean Section ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Growth and Development ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymph Node Excision ; Paclitaxel ; Pregnancy* ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

A number of acid-base or electrolyte disorders are associated with decreased or increased HCO3- reabsorption in the renal tubules. There has been a general agreement that potassium depletion induces metabolic alkalosis and affects the expression of the several ion transporters in rats. The present study was to examine the alterations of expression and distribution of COX-1, 2 mRNAs and proteins in the kidneys of normal and K-depleted rats using RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Predicted size of COX-1 mRNA was 306 bp. It's expression was increased in K-depleted rats, particularly LK 2W, but decreased in LK 3D. Predicted size of COX-2 mRNA was 356 bp and it's expression was increased in K-depleted rats, particularly LK 2W. Western blot analysis demonstrated that COX-1 protein, ~70 kDa at molecular mass, was increased in potassium-depleted rats, particularly LK 2W and decreased in LK 3D, compared with normal rat. COX-2 protein, ~72 kDa at molecular mass, was only increased in LK 3D and others were comparable with normal rat. In immunohistochemistry, COX-1 was detected in entire collecting duct, intraglomerular mesangial cells, arterial endothelial cells, medullary interstitial cells, papillary epithelial cells, and pelvic epithelium. Signal intensity of the collecting duct was more increased toward the papillary tip. In K-depleted rat, the pattern of cellular labeling of COX-1 protein was identical to that of normal rat. However, the signal intensity of LK 3D was only decreased in cortical and outer medullary collecting duct and that of LK 2W was increased particularly in the inner stripe of outer medullary collecting duct and proximal 1/3 inner medullary collecting duct. Immunoreactivity of COX-2 of normal rat was detected in the cortical thick ascending limb and macula densa. In K-depleted rat, the pattern of cellular labeling of COX-2 protein was identical to that of normal rat, but the signal intensity was only increased in LK 3D rat. These results suggest that chronic hypokalemia enhances the expression of COX-1, 2 mRNAs and proteins and the regulation of K reabsorption depends on COX-1 rather than COX-2 by the portions of expression.
Alkalosis ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cyclooxygenase 1* ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Extremities ; Hypokalemia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ion Transport ; Kidney* ; Mesangial Cells ; Potassium ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger

The heart disease during gestation complicates approximately 0.5-1.5% of pregnancies. The common cause of heart disease during gestation is acquired rheumatic valvular lesions and congenital heart defects. In contrast, infective endocarditis during pregnancy or the puerperium is quite rare, with fewer than 100 cases reported over the past 50 years. We present a case of bacterial endocarditis complicated by severe tricuspid valvular insufficiency and associated septic pulmonary emboli. Therapy consisted of cesarean section at 32 weeks gestation followed by tricuspid valvular replacement, removal of vegetation and primary closure of congenital ventricular septal defect.
Cesarean Section ; Endocarditis ; Endocarditis, Bacterial* ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy*