PURPOSE: Apoptosis is active cell death which plays an important role in developing normal tissues. Various conditions such as genetic defects, drugs, ischemia or infections are known to induce apoptosis. We studied the effect of maternal infection on fetal brain development during pregnancy. METHODS: We treated 46 C3H pregnant mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phosphat-buffered saline and observed the changes in apoptosis and expression of bcl-2, bcl-xS, bax. The fetal brain tissues were removed 1-48 hours after LPS treatment. The number of apoptosis per 100 neurons and glial cells was counted in H&E stained tissue and was analyzed statistically. Immunohistochemical staining with primary antibodies of bcl-2, bcl-xS, bax was done and their expression was classified by the degree of staining. RESULTS: The number of apoptosis was increased significantly in both neurons and glial cells of LPS-treated group and its degree of staining was more remarkable in glial cells. Immunohisto chemistry for bcl-2, bcl-xS, bax oncoprotein revealed mildly decreased expression of bcl-2 and markedly increased expression of bax in both neurons and glial cells, but it was more remarkable in glial cells. Immunochemistry for bcl-xS revealed no expression in neurons and minimal expression of bcl-xS in glial cells in both study groups. CONCLUSOIN: We observed an increase in the number of apoptosis, mildly decreased expression of bcl-2 and markedly increased expression of bax in both neurons and glial cells of fetal brain after treating pregnant mice with LPS. Maternal infection during pregnancy may have profound effects on developing fetal brain.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Apoptosis* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein* ; Brain* ; Cell Death ; Chemistry ; Immunochemistry ; Ischemia ; Mice* ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Pregnancy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of nutritional education program (NEP) on nausea and vomiting, anorexia, food intake, and nutritional status among GI cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: A nonequivalent, non-synchronized posttest design was used. Study subjects were conveniently selected 30 patients (15 subjects for each group) who were undergoing chemotherapy. The subjects of the experimental group received NEP which consisted of 2 educations and 1 counselling while they were hospitalized, and telephone counselling with nutritional supports after discharge for four times. RESULTS: The score of anorexia was lower and the amount of food intake was higher in the experimental group than those of the control group. However, there were no significant differences in levels of nausea and vomiting, weight, hemoglobin, albumin, and total protein level between the experimental and the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that the NEP was effective in alleviating anorexia and improving subjective food intake of GI cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. These findings suggest that NEP can be a useful nursing intervention for preventing nutritional disorders for patients with GI cancer after chemotherapy.
Anorexia ; Child ; Eating ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Nausea ; Nutrition Disorders ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritional Support ; Telephone ; Vomiting

Hantaan virus is the causative agent of rather severe form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome which occurs widely in north-eastern Asia including Korea, China and far eastcrn part of Russia. Although several types of vaccine for this disease have been developed, the therapeutic agent has not been developed yet. Therefore, we launched the construction of ribozyme to be used as the therapeutic purpose of the disease. Ribozyme which cleaves RNA as an enzyme is a RNA oligonucleotide specific to target RNA. We constructed a ribozyme oligonucleotide aimed at S genomic RNA segment of Hantaan virus (strain 76-118) containing T7 promoter region cornplementary to promoter primer oligonucleotide. Then two oligonucleotides were annealed to prepare double stranded transcription template, and transcription was performed in vitro. Thus, we could prepare the clone of whole S segment of the virus by RT-PCR, and then BamHI/HinCII fragment of the S genome segment was subcloned to pT7T319U vector containing T7 promoter in genome sense. The substrate transcript was made by run-off transcription. These substrate and ribozyme transcripts were used to detect cleavage activity of the ribozyme to the target RNA substrate prior to its application to cultured cell. The cleavage reaction showed that the ribozyme cleaves the target RNA which is S segment of Hantaan virus. To know whether the ribozyme works in cell infected with Hantaan virus as well, the ribozyme was transfected to Vero-E6 cell by lipofectin after inoculation of the virus. The transfected ribozyme was detectable in the cell by RT-PCR utilizing ribozyme specific primers. On 7 days after inoculation, the culture media were harvested and used to determinate viral titers by immunoenzyme plaque assay. In contrast to the mock transfected negative control, the viral titers of the cultures transfected at 1, 2 and 3 days after the virus inoculation were lowered to 1/100 level. This result suggests that the ribozyme inhibits the multiplication of Hantaan virus in cultured cell successfully in early stage of infection, and ribozyme is a possible new anti-viral drug against the virus infection.
Asia ; Cells, Cultured ; China ; Clone Cells ; Culture Media ; Genome ; Hantaan virus* ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Korea ; Oligonucleotides ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA ; Russia

Purpose: : This study investigated the occurrence of postoperative ileus and its related factors in patients after spinal surgery.
Methods: : After a retrospective review of data from patients who underwent spinal surgery at a single hospital located in Busan from 2012 through 2016, a total of 253 patients were included. The subjects were divided into non-ileus and ileus groups. We compared patient-, surgery-, and postoperative hematologicalrelated factors.
Results: : A total of 41 (16.2%) out of 253 patients experienced postoperative ileus. Data analysis revealed significant differences between the two groups in mean age (68.44 vs 60.50 years), occupation (9.8 vs 28.8%), cardiovascular comorbidity (63.4 vs 37.7%), approach of surgery (supine/prone: 29.3/70.7 vs 12.7/87.3%), duration of anesthesia (5.86 vs 4.43 hours), narcotic use (75.6 vs 56.6%), postoperative serum hemoglobin level (3 days: 10.81 vs 11.41 g/dL), postoperative serum protein (immediately/3 days: 5.30/5.43 vs 5.62/5.68 g/dL), postoperative albumin level (3 days: 3.17 vs 3.40 g/dL), postoperative C-reactive protein level (3 days: 11.44 vs 8.36 mg/dL), postoperative bed stabilization period (3.32 vs 2.50 days), and onset of bowel movement (2.59 vs 1.94 days). In multivariate logistic regression, age and time of anesthesia were independent risk factors of postoperative ileus.
Conclusion : To detect ileus after spinal surgery early, nurse education is needed with intensive screening on advanced age, surgery-related factors, and postoperative hematological indices.

Background: Brain MRI may unexpectedly display abnormalities in splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC). However, the clinical implications of this lesion are unclear and are not always consistent with ischemic infarctions. We performed this study to clarify the clinical and radiological implications in patients with SCC lesions. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with MRIreported SCC changes between 2009 and 2012. We analyzed clinical and radiological findings, etiologies, cognitive impairment, and clinical outcomes. Results: We found 30 patients (16 females; mean 50.5 years) who had SCC lesions on MRI. Confusion was the most common clinical finding in 50% of cases. Cerebral infarction was the most common etiology (50%). The most consistent SCC changes on MRI were low signal in T1WI, high signal on T2WI and FLAIR, and high signal on DWI. We classified SCC lesions into in situ SCC lesions (SCC only) and multiple (SCC plus) lesions for patients with multiple lesions. The clinical symptoms of SCC only lesions were relatively mild. Cognitive functions were evaluated by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale at the time of discharge and patients with SCC only lesions showed less impaired cognition compared with those with SCC plus lesions. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the modified Rankin scale at 1 month and patients with SCC only lesions revealed good clinical outcomes compared with those with SCC plus lesions. Conclusions: MRI-reported SCC lesions may have heterogeneous etiologies and present with various symptoms. The clinical course and outcome are relatively good, particularly in small isolated and oval shaped SCC lesions.

Purpose: : This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the quality of life of lung transplant patients.Method : The participants were patients who received lung transplants at a general hospital in City Y. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from June 2023 to August 2023. General characteristics, lung transplantation-related characteristics, quality of life, functional disability, treatment compliance, social support, anxiety, and depression—were measured. For data analysis, hierarchical multiple regression was performed using SPSS/WIN 29.0. Results: : In the final model, quality of life was associated with income, self-help group attendance, functional disability, social support, treatment compliance, and anxiety and depression. Together, they explained 61.2% of the total variance in the results. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that improving lung transplant patients’ quality of life requires active intervention in stress management to perform treatment instructions well, a social support system that can help them financially, and encouraging and participating in social activities as patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and to examine factors influencing HRQoL. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 85 participants aged 10 to 19 years who received treatment from 3 months to 5 years after HSCT. Symptom experiences, stress and coping, self-esteem, social support, and HRQoL were measured. Descriptive analysis, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression were used for data analysis. Results: The mean HRQoL score was 72.26 points out of 100. HRQoL showed statistically significant correlations with symptom experiences, stress, self-esteem, social support, satisfaction with peer relationships, and perceived attentiveness of the medical team. The most influential predictors of HRQoL were symptom experiences (β=-.51, p<.001) and satisfaction with peer relationships (β=.32, p<.001). Conclusion The experiences of different symptoms by children and adolescents who receive HSCT must be considered. In addition, nursing interventions, such as self-help meetings with peer groups, should be provided to improve their HRQoL.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the risk factors influencing intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Methods: Data were collected from 129 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at a general hospital in City B from May 7 to November 14, 2024. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 27 with an independent t-test, a χ 2 test ( χ 2 -test), and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 61 (47.3%) out of 129 patients experienced intraoperative hypothermia. According to the results of the logistic regression analysis, lower BMI (odds ratio [OR]=0.85, CI=0.74~0.98, p=.028), a total amount of IV fluid of ≥500 mL (odds ratio [OR]=4.47,CI=1.07~18.75, p=.041), a surgery duration of ≥120 minutes (odds ratio [OR]=4.10, CI=1.02~16.51, p=.047), and intraoperative hypotension (odds ratio [OR]=3.64, CI=1.22~10.86, p=.020) were associated with an increased risk of intraoperative hypothermia. Conclusion To prevent intraoperative hypothermia, continuous observation and nursing intervention are required for patients with low BMI or those expected to undergo prolonged surgery. The use of warm fluids during surgery and proper intraoperative blood pressure management is also recommended.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the risk factors influencing intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Methods: Data were collected from 129 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at a general hospital in City B from May 7 to November 14, 2024. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 27 with an independent t-test, a χ 2 test ( χ 2 -test), and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 61 (47.3%) out of 129 patients experienced intraoperative hypothermia. According to the results of the logistic regression analysis, lower BMI (odds ratio [OR]=0.85, CI=0.74~0.98, p=.028), a total amount of IV fluid of ≥500 mL (odds ratio [OR]=4.47,CI=1.07~18.75, p=.041), a surgery duration of ≥120 minutes (odds ratio [OR]=4.10, CI=1.02~16.51, p=.047), and intraoperative hypotension (odds ratio [OR]=3.64, CI=1.22~10.86, p=.020) were associated with an increased risk of intraoperative hypothermia. Conclusion To prevent intraoperative hypothermia, continuous observation and nursing intervention are required for patients with low BMI or those expected to undergo prolonged surgery. The use of warm fluids during surgery and proper intraoperative blood pressure management is also recommended.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the risk factors influencing intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Methods: Data were collected from 129 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at a general hospital in City B from May 7 to November 14, 2024. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 27 with an independent t-test, a χ 2 test ( χ 2 -test), and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 61 (47.3%) out of 129 patients experienced intraoperative hypothermia. According to the results of the logistic regression analysis, lower BMI (odds ratio [OR]=0.85, CI=0.74~0.98, p=.028), a total amount of IV fluid of ≥500 mL (odds ratio [OR]=4.47,CI=1.07~18.75, p=.041), a surgery duration of ≥120 minutes (odds ratio [OR]=4.10, CI=1.02~16.51, p=.047), and intraoperative hypotension (odds ratio [OR]=3.64, CI=1.22~10.86, p=.020) were associated with an increased risk of intraoperative hypothermia. Conclusion To prevent intraoperative hypothermia, continuous observation and nursing intervention are required for patients with low BMI or those expected to undergo prolonged surgery. The use of warm fluids during surgery and proper intraoperative blood pressure management is also recommended.