Objective: To establish the quality control standards for Shimingbao Granules.Methods:Radix Angelical Sinensis, Cortex Phellodendri and Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae in granules were identified by TLC. The content of paeoniflorin in Shimingbao Granules was determined by HPLC with external standard. Results:The average recovery was 97.54% and RSD was 1.7%( n =5). The RSD in a duplicate test was 1.7%( n =5). Conclusion: These methods are simple, accurate and specific and can be used for the quality control of Shimingbao Granules.

No abstract available.
Humans

Objective To discuss the value of digital tomosynthesis for detection of pulmonary nodules. Methods Thirty patients suspected of having pulmonary nodules underwent chest radiography, digital tomosynthesis and CT examination. Above image data were transferred to postprocessing work station and were reviewed by 2 radiologists with 3 years of chest-radiology diagnosis experience in a double-blind method. The number, location and size of nodules were recorded. Then, 2 radiologists reviewed the all images once more, and discuss in consensus. The sensitivities of chest radiography and digital tomosynthesis for detection of pulmonary nodules were respectively calculated according to the CT results. Chi-square test was used for radiography, digital tomosynthesis and CT examination. Results Of 30 patients, 21 were detected having pulmonary nodules by X-ray radiography and 9 were negative, the total number of 40 nodules was detected, while 89 nodules in 26 patients were detected by digital tomosynthesis, and only 4 patients were negative. CT demonstrated 102 nodules in 27 patients, and 3 patients were negative. Taking CT as "gold standard", the sensitivities of X-ray radiography and digital tomosynthesis were 27.4%(28/102)and 87.2%(89/102), X~2=4.35, P<0.05, respectively. Conclusion Digital tomosynthesis has a high sensitivity for detection of pulmonary nodules compared with X-ray radiography, and could be an excellent and necessary supplementary technique of X-ray radiography.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of the deproteinated bovine bone powder (DBBP) coated with calcium phosphate (Ca-P) on osseous regeneration in the calvarial bone defect of rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The DBBP (Control group, n=6) and the Ca-P coated DBBP (Experimental group, n=6) were grafted in the critical sized calvarial bone defect (8 mm) of rat weighing 250 g. The animals were sacrificed at 1, 4 week. The biopsy specimens were decalcified with 5% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. The rats were sacrificed at 8 week received tetracycline (1 week), calcein blue (4 week), and alizarin red (7 week), and the biopsy specimens were taken. The specimens were embedded in methylmethacrylate and ground to 10 micrometer thin sections were made. All of the specimens were stained with H & E and Masson's trichrome and examined under light microscope. The specimens at 8 week were examined under fluorescent microscope. RESULTS: In the Control group, the grafted DBBP was surrounded with connective tissue, and osteoblasts were observed partially around the grafted particles at 1 week. At 4 week, some osteoid was observed and, new bone formation was observed at the periphery of grafted materials at 8 week, In the Experimental group, some osteoid was seen at the periphery of the grafted Ca-P coated DBBP at 1 week, and osteoblast and newly formed bone were observed around the grafted materials. At 8 week, newly formed bone was observed at the periphery of the grafted materials. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Ca-P coated DBBP group was more and faster than DBBP group in new bone formation and Ca-P could contribute to enhance bone formation in the critical sized calvarial bone defect of rat.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Calcium ; Connective Tissue ; Formaldehyde ; Methylmethacrylate ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Paraffin ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; Tetracycline ; Transplants

To address the limitations of animal testing, scientific research is increasingly focused on developing alternative testing methods. These alternative tests utilize cells or tissues derived from animals or humans for in vitro testing, as well as artificial tissues and organoids. In western countries, animal testing for cosmetics has been banned, leading to the adoption of artificial skin for toxicity evaluation, such as skin corrosion and irritation assessments. Standard guidelines for skin organoid technology becomes necessary to ensure consistent data and evaluation in replacing animal testing with in vitro methods. These guidelines encompass aspects such as cell sourcing, culture techniques, quality requirements and assessment, storage and preservation, and organoid-based assays.

PURPOSE: The causes of prolonged fever have changed during the years and are influenced by age, geographic location and availability of diagnostic facilities/techniques. The aim of the present study was to determine the causes of prolonged fever, to know the proportion and outcomes of undiagnosed children. METHODS: We reviewed patients with fever persisting for more than 2 weeks in duration, with documented temperatures of 38 degrees on several occasions, or uncertain diagnosis after intensive study of 1 week duration in other hospitals who were admitted to Pusan National University Hospital during the period from July 1999 to June 2004. RESULTS: Fifty-four (59.0 percent) were boys and thirty-seven (41 percent) were girls. Forty-six cases were less than 6 years and 45 cases were more than 6 years; the mean age was 6.48+/-6.56 years. In 62 cases (68.1 percent), the fever had persisted for 2 to 3 weeks before admission and in 26 cases (28.6 percent), had lasted longer than a month. Final diagnosis had been reached in 66 of 91 children (72.5 percent). The most common cause was infection (38/91), followed by collagen vascular disease (12/91), immune deficiency (3/91), neoplasia (2/91), and miscellaneous disease. Tuberculosis was the most common infectious cause. The causes of fever were not revealed in 25 cases. Outcome on discharge were as follows; 77 cases (84.6 percent) were improved, 10 cases (11.0 percent) discharged without improvement and 4 cases (4.4 percent) expired. CONCLUSION: The most common cause of prolonged fever in Korean children remains infection, but the incidence of infection was decreased as compared with previous studies. Tuberculosis is the most common among infectious causes. As Kikuchi disease (subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis) represented a significant cause of prolonged fever, it should be considered if a patient has neutropenia with lymphadenopathy. Undiagnosed patients with prolonged fever (27.5 percent) have increased over previous studies.
Busan ; Child* ; Collagen ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fever ; Fever of Unknown Origin ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neutropenia ; Tuberculosis ; Vascular Diseases

No abstract available.
Edema*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been reported that the difference in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype due to genetic heterogeneity of HCV influence the clinical features, prognosis of HCV associated liver disease and response to interferon therapy. Prevalence of different genotypes of HCV may also vary between geographic areas. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the response to interferon alpha (IFN-a) therapy and HCV genotypes in patients with chronic HCV infection in Taegu and its environs. METHODS: One hundred seventy six patients known to be HCV antibody and HCV-NA positive were evaluated for HCV genotypes by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Among patients who had elevated ALT levels, 67 patients have been investigated for the role of the HCV genotype on disease outcome and the response of IFN-a therapy. RESULTS: Genotype 1b were found in 59.0% of patients (103/176), genotype 2a in 37.5% (66/176). The mode of transmission of HCV infection was guessed as transfusion in genotype 1b, but as parenteral infection in genotype 2a. According to their response to IFN-a therapy, 73 patients were divided into three groups, complete response, 18 (60%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 21 (48.8%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b: partial response, 5 (16.7%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 7 (16.2%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b: no response, 7 (23.3%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 15 (34.9%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b. Good response to IFN-a therapy was observed among patients group showing normal platelet count in patients with genotype 1b and normal GGT in patients with genotype 2a. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently identified genotype was genotype 1b in Taegu and its environs, followed by genotype 2a. The HCV genotype was not a reliable predictor of response to IFN-a therapy. When a standardized regimen of IFN-a was administered, pretreatment serum platelet counts and GGT level seem to be useful predictor of IFN-a therapy in HCV infection. Further investigations are required in order to establish a correlation between viral factors and therapeutic responses.
Daegu* ; Genetic Heterogeneity ; Genotype* ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons ; Liver Diseases ; Platelet Count ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prevalence ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: The objective of this work is to determine whether the degree of expression of Human Erythrocyte Glucose Transporter (Glut-1) protein might correlate with survival rate, tumor stage and pathologic findings in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 94 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy at our department for RCC were included in this retrospective study. Biologic significance of Glut-1 immunohistochemical staining according to the survival rate, tumor stage and pathologic findings in patients with RCC was evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a primary antibody which was polyclonal rabbit anti-human Glut-1. RESULTS: In 67 of 94 patients, Glut-1 staining was demonstrated in the plasma membrane of cancer cells. Positive staining of Glut-1 in clear cell type was significantly higher than chromophobe type and chromophill type (p=0.01, 0.04). Positive staining for Glut-1 did not show any significant difference between localized and metastatic RCC. Positive staining for Glut-1 did not show any significant difference with tumor stage (p=0.09) or nuclear grade (p=0.20) or survival rate in localized RCC. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, Glut-1 protein express not in the normal portion of kidney but in the RCC. Expression of Glut-1 protein does not correlate with tumor stage, nuclear grade, or survival rate. These findings suggest that RCC may have another type of glucose transporter.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Cell Membrane ; Erythrocytes* ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Glucose Transporter Type 1* ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; Nephrectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of subjective xerostomia and salivary pH in salivary glands stimulated by laughter therapy in frail elderly women. METHODS: The research used a one-group pretest-posttest design. Data were collected from July 2, 2015 to September 30, 2015. A sample of 41 frail female elderly patients was recruited at A Nursing Home in K City, Korea. We measured xerostomia and salivary pH using a questionnaire and BCP test paper (pH 5.6~7.2). Laughter therapy was given once a week for four weeks (3 items). Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, paired t-test and Cronbach's using the SPSS 18.0 program. RESULTS: There were significant differences in salivary pH according to oral health (t=-2.06, p<.05). There were significant differences in xerostomia (t=4.41, p<.001) and salivary pH (t=-7.94, p<.001) after salivary glands stimulated by laughter therapy. CONCLUSION: Salivary glands stimulated by laughter therapy improved xerostomia and salivary pH of the frail elderly. Therefore, salivary glands stimulated by laughter therapy may be useful in promoting and maintaining oral health among the frail elderly in the rapidly increasing population of old people.
Aged ; Female ; Frail Elderly* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Korea ; Laughter Therapy* ; Laughter* ; Nursing Homes ; Oral Health ; Salivary Glands* ; Xerostomia*