Characteristics and immuno-modulatory effects of Enterococcus (E.) faecium JS1-8 isolated from Kimchi were investigated for potential probiotic use. We measured their acid, bile, and heat tolerances, adhesion properties in Caco-2 cells, antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, and bacteriocin-like substance-producing activity. Immuno-modulatory effects of E. faecium JS1-8 were measured by determination of nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in RAW 264.7 cells or RAW BLUE cells. JS1-8 survived at pH 2.0 for 2 hr and showed tolerance to 0.3% oxgall bile salt, and it survived after exposure for 5 min at 80degreesC. JS1-8 showed high antimicrobial inhibition zones to Staphylococcus aureus (460 mm), Listeria monocytogenes (310 mm), Salmonella enteritidis (280 mm), and E. coli (150 mm). Bacteriocin-like substance produced by JS1-8 showed a broad spectrum of activity against Listeria monocytogenes KCCM 40307 and Lactobacillus sake KCCM 40264. Low concentration (1 x 107 CFU/mL) of heat-killed E. faecium JS1-8 induced statistically higher production of NO than Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), which is a well-known immuno-modulatory lactic acid bacteria. Low and high (5 x 107 CFU/mL) concentrations of JS1-8 induced statistically higher production of NF-kappaB than that produced by LGG. We also found that JS1-8 increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in a concentration-dependent manner. As a result, E. faecium JSI-8 could be used as a useful probiotic for controlling pathogens and enhancing host immune responses.
Bacteria ; Bile ; Caco-2 Cells ; Cytokines ; Enterococcus ; Enterococcus faecium* ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Interleukin-1beta ; Lactic Acid ; Lactobacillus ; Lactobacillus rhamnosus ; Listeria monocytogenes ; NF-kappa B ; Nitric Oxide ; Probiotics ; Salmonella enteritidis ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces the pathological process of vascular structures, including renal glomeruli by hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic direct effects. In kidneys, Ang II plays an important role in the development of proteinuria by the modification of podocyte molecules. We have previously found that Ang II suppressed podocyte AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) via Ang II type 1 receptor and MAPK signaling pathway. In the present study, we investigated the roles of AMPK on the changes of p130Cas of podocyte by Ang II. We cultured mouse podocytes and treated them with various concentrations of Ang II and AMPK-modulating agents and analyzed the changes of p130Cas by confocal imaging and western blotting. In immunofluorescence study, Ang II decreased the intensity of p130Cas and changed its localization from peripheral cytoplasm into peri-nuclear areas in a concentrated pattern in podocytes. Ang II also reduced the amount of p130Cas in time and dose-sensitive manners. AMPK activators, metformin and AICAR, restored the suppressed and mal-localized p130Cas significantly, whereas, compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, further aggravated the changes of p130Cas. Losartan, an Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist, recovered the abnormal changes of p130Cas suppressed by Ang II. These results suggest that Ang II induces the relocalization and suppression of podocyte p130Cas by the suppression of AMPK via Ang II type 1 receptor, which would contribute to Ang II-induced podocyte injury.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors/chemistry/*metabolism ; Aminoimidazole Carboxamide/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Angiotensin II/*pharmacology ; Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers/pharmacology ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism ; Crk-Associated Substrate Protein/*metabolism ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1/metabolism ; Losartan/pharmacology ; Metformin/pharmacology ; Mice ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Podocytes/cytology/drug effects/metabolism ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Ribonucleotides/pharmacology ; Signal Transduction/*drug effects

Takayasu's arteritis(TA) is a nonspecific areritis of unknown etiology affecting segmentally the aorta and its main branches, which result in stenosis, occlusion or aneurysm of involved arteries. The clinical manifestations present with a variety of symptoms such as headache, dyspnea on exertion, pain and weakness of extremities, pulse deficit, and hypertension according to involves arteries. Usually it can be managed by medical or surgical treatment, and recently by percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty. The type III classified by Lupi-Herrena and associates is the most frequent variety of TA. However the case of type III involving both subclavin arteries and both renal arteries has rarely been reported. We experienced a case of TA involving both subcalvian arteries, and both renal arteries presented with paroxysmal hypertension and right flank pain, in which the stenosis of both subclavian arteries were managed by percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty and the stenosis and occlusion of both renal arteries were successfully managed by aorto-renal bypass surgery with autogenous right iliac artery and synthetic vessel(Gortex). The patient was discharged uneventfully.
Aneurysm ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Aorta ; Arteries* ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Dyspnea ; Extremities ; Flank Pain ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Iliac Artery ; Renal Artery* ; Subclavian Artery ; Takayasu Arteritis*

In this study, characteristics and immuno-modulatory effects of Weissella cibaria JW15 isolated from Kimchi, traditional Korean fermented food, were examined for investigation of the capacity of potentially probiotic strains. We measured acid, bile, and heat tolerance, adhesive properties to intestinal epithelial cells, and inhibitory activity against pathogens. JW15 could survive at pH 3.0 for 2 hr, but not at pH 2.0. JW15 also showed tolerance to 0.3% oxgall bile salt, and heat tolerance at 70degrees C and 80degrees C for 5 min, respectively. Adhesive ability to Caco-2 cells was similar to that of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a well-known commercial probiotic. JW15 exhibited antimicrobial activities to pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enteritidis. The immuno-modulatory effects of JW15 were compared with those of LGG, a well-known immune enhancer. For analysis, production of nitric oxide (NO), NF-kappaB (Nuclear factor kappaB), Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was measured. The concentration of NO induced by JW15 was higher than that by LGG at low concentration (1 x 10(7) cfu/mL). Low and high (5 x 10(7) CFU/mL) concentration of JW15 induced statistically higher production of NF-kappaB, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha than that produced by LGG, respectively. In conclusion, Weissella cibaria JW15 had ability as a probiotic strain, including acid, bile, and heat tolerance, adhesive properties to intestinal epithelial cells, and inhibitory activity against pathogens. In addition, JW15 showed better immuno-modulatory effects than LGG when NO, NF-kappaB, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha were measured. According to these results, the characteristics and immunomodulating activity of Weissella cibaria JW15 are suitable for consideration as a potential probiotic.
Adhesives ; Bacteria ; Bile ; Caco-2 Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Escherichia coli ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Interleukin-1beta ; Korea* ; Lactobacillus rhamnosus ; Listeria monocytogenes ; NF-kappa B ; Nitric Oxide ; Probiotics* ; Salmonella enteritidis ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Weissella*

A link between sensorineural hearing loss and autoimmune disease is postulated.The pathogenesis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)is not clear.However,several reports have suggested vasculitis secondary to SLE as underlying mechanism or association of antiphospholipid antibody (aPL).Although there were some cases of sensorineural hearing loss associated with systemic lupus erythematosus or lupuslike syndrome treated with plasmapheresis or immunosuppressive agents,there has been no case of SNHL in patients with SLE reported in Korea.We describe an 18-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.She was treated with high-dose corticosteroids with favorable clinical outcome.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Female ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Plasmapheresis ; Vasculitis

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare disease characterized by the formation of dense plaque of fibrous tissue covering the retroperitoneal structures. This disease is commonly presented as ureteral obstruction, but the involvement of duodenum is rare. We report a case of retroperitoneal fibrosis which was complicated with duodenal stenosis and was successfully treated with corticosteroids. A 58-yr-old man, who had history of aorto-iliac bypass graft due to arteriosclerosis obliterans with infrarenal aortic occlusion was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain and a mass. Abdominal CT scan revealed the periaortic soft tissue mass encircling grafted aorta and stenosis of duodenal third portion. Retroperitoneal fibrosis with duodenal stenosis was diagnosed and prednisolone therapy was initiated. Follow-up CT scan showed that the patient responded to prednisolone therapy with eased pain, shrinking periaortic mass, and reduced duodenal stenosis.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Steroidal/therapeutic use ; Case Report ; Duodenal Obstruction/*complications/drug therapy/physiopathology/radiography ; Glucocorticoids, Synthetic/therapeutic use ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Retroperitoneal Fibrosis/*complications/drug therapy/physiopathology/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To analyze delayed diagnosis, we collected date on pediatric and adolescent patients who had been admitted to the Emergency Department with injuries due to minor trauma METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the age distribution, trauma mechanism, time interval for each affected body region at delayed diagnosis, hospital stay, and outcome for 161 pediatric and adolescent patients who had been admitted to the Emergent Department of Gachon University Gil Hospital from January 2006 to September 2008. RESULTS: The incidence of delayed diagnosis in pediatric and adolescent trauma was 11.8% in our retrospective review of 161 pediatric and adolescent patients. Lengths of hospitalization were longer in patients with delayed diagnosis (p<0.05). Patients with delayed diagnosis were more often transferred to other hospitals than patients with non-delayed diagnosis (p<0.05). The time intervals for each different affected body regions at delayed diagnosis were significantly different, but the hospital stays were not. There were no statistical significance to age on affected body region. CONCLUSION: From this study, we found that admission result and hospital stay were statistically significant differences between the delayed-diagnosis patient group and the non-delayed-diagnosis patient group. Finally, we must follow up pediatric and adolescent patients with minor trauma, closely considering missed injuries.
Adolescent ; Age Distribution ; Body Regions ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Pediatrics ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: Previous studies investigating the beneficial effect of rituximab on lupus nephritis (LN) reported controversial results. There have been few reports of renal response to rituximab according to renal function. We investigated the efficacy of rituximab in refractory/relapsing LN and the role of renal function as a predictor of renal response. Methods: From 2016 to 2019, we retrospectively reviewed 22 patients with refractory/relapsing LN receiving rituximab. Renal responses (complete and partial) at 6 and 12 months were compared between normal (glomerular filtration rate [GFR]≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2 , n=11) and decreased (GFR＜90 mL/min/1.73 m2 , n=11) GFR groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess predictors of renal response. Results: At baseline, the decreased GFR group had a higher urine proteinuria to creatinine ratio (p=0.008) and proportion of refractory LN (p=0.010) and previous cyclophosphamide therapy (p=0.035) than the normal GFR group. The overall renal response rate was 45.5% (10 patients) at 6 months and 54.5% (12 patients) at 12 months. Renal response rates were higher in the normal GFR group (81.8% and 90.9% at 6 and 12 months, respectively) than in the decreased GFR group (9.1% and 18.2% at 6 and 12 months, respectively; p＜0.001). Normal GFR and anti-La were associated with renal response to rituximab, with hazard ratios of 9.256 (p=0.008) and 5.478 (p=0.041), respectively. Conclusion Rituximab is an effective therapy for refractory/relapsing LN, particularly in patients with preserved renal function.

Background: The Korea National Antimicrobial Use Analysis System (KONAS), a benchmarking system for antimicrobial use in hospitals, provides Korean Standardized Antimicrobial Administration Ratio (K-SAAR) for benchmarking. This article describes K-SAAR predictive models to enhance the understanding of K-SAAR, an important benchmarking strategy for antimicrobial usage in KONAS. Methods: We obtained medical insurance claims data for all hospitalized patients aged ≥ 28 days in all secondary and tertiary care hospitals in South Korea (n = 347) from January 2019 to December 2019 from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. Modeling was performed to derive a prediction value for antimicrobial use in each institution, which corresponded to the denominator value for calculating K-SAAR. The prediction values of antimicrobial use were modeled separately for each category, for all inpatients and adult patients (aged ≥ 15 years), using stepwise negative binomial regression. Results: The final models for each antimicrobial category were adjusted for different significant risk factors. In the K-SAAR models of all aged patients as well as adult patients, most antimicrobial categories included the number of hospital beds and the number of operations as significant factors, while some antimicrobial categories included mean age for inpatients, hospital type, and the number of patients transferred from other hospitals as significant factors. Conclusion We developed a model to predict antimicrobial use rates in Korean hospitals, and the model was used as the denominator of the K-SAAR.

Purpose: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a glycemic index may have limited value in pediatric patients with acute leukemia as they often present with anemia and/or pancytopenia. To address this issue, we evaluated the usefulness of glycated albumin (GA) as a glycemic monitoring index in pediatric patients with acute leukemia. Methods: Medical records of 25 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 63 patients with acute leukemia, and 115 healthy children from Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, were retrospectively investigated for serum GA, HbA1c, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, along with demographic data. Results: GA, HbA1c, and FBG levels did not differ between the control and acute leukemia groups. In the T2DM group, positive correlations were observed among GA, HbA1c, and FBG (P<0.01). Although GA level was not associated with the HbA1c level in the control group, GA and HbA1c levels showed a positive correlation in the acute leukemia group (P=0.045). Regression analysis revealed GA and HbA1c levels to be positively correlated in the acute leukemia and T2DM groups even after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index z-score (P=0.007, P<0.01). Conclusion GA may be a useful complementary parameter to HbA1c for glycemic monitoring in pediatric patients with acute leukemia, similar to its use in patients with T2DM.