I deeply regret but request a retraction of our paper published in Immune Network.

I deeply regret but request a retraction of our paper published in Immune Network.

PURPOSE: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated and might be one of the first signs of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess whether men with vasculogenic ED have an increased risk of CVD by evaluating the relationship between erectile function and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 men were divided into 4 groups according to their erectile function as evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-15 and the presence of vascular risk factors (VRF). The risk free (RF) group (n=10) included men with ED and no evidence of VRF, the low-risk (LR) group (n=10) included the vasculogenic ED subjects who were overweight or dyslipidemic, and high-risk (HR) group (n=10) consisted of ED subjects with hypertension or diabetes. An age-matched healthy group without ED served as the control (n=10). Blood pressure, height, weight, the lipid profile and the IMT of the carotid arteries were evaluated. RESULTS: The control group and the vasculogenic ED groups showed significant differences in the IIEF scores and IMT (p<0.05). Spearman's test of the entire subjects revealed a significant correlation between the severity of ED and IMT (p<0.01), which was not present in the control group (p=0.523). However, a significant correlation of the severity of ED and IMT was found in the groups with ED (p<0.05). In addition, the evaluated parameters of the control group and the RF group revealed no significant difference except for the IIEF scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that ED might be a prodrome of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, screening on cardiovascular risk factors and taking preventive measures are considered in ED patients, especially if the ED is severe.
Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Overweight ; Risk Factors

Immunoadjuvant activities of the extract (KM-110) from Korean mistletoe ( Viscum album coloratum) on the induction of humoral and cellular responses against Keyhole limpet hemocyanim (KLH) as an antigen and allogenic tumor cells were examined. When mice were immunized subcataneously (s.c.) with KLH admixed with KM-110, more than 1000-times higher antibody titers to KLH than those immunized with KLH alone was observed. KM-110 induced high level of KLH- specific IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies. In an in vitro analysis of lymphocytes proliferation to KLH on week 4, the splenocytes of mice treated with KLH and KM- 110 exhibited significantly higher proliferating activity than those treated with KLH alone. In addition, the culture supernatnats obtained from the splenocytes of mice treated with both KLH and KM-110 showed high level of IL-2 and IL-4. In the test of cellular immune responses, KM-110 enhanced the DTH reaction to KLH in mice. Furthemore, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity using an allogenic CTL induction model where C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice were injected with allogenic P815 (H-2d) mastocytoma cells admixed with or without KM-110, mice treated with P815 cells and KM-110 showed higher cytatoxic activity against allogenic tumor cells than those treated without KM-110. This results suggest that KM-110 may possess adjuvant activities to potentially enhance humoral as well as cellular immune responses against antigens.
Animals ; Antibodies ; B-Lymphocytes ; Immunity, Cellular* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Lymphocytes ; Mastocytoma ; Mice ; Mistletoe* ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Viscum album* ; Viscum*

Immunological effect of the extract (KM-110) from Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum) was examined. Lymphocytes obtained from KM-110-administrated mice showed increased responsiveness to mitogens, concanavalin-A (Con.A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In order to study cytokine induct ability of the KM-110, macrophages from the Balb/c mice were cultivated in the medium containing the extract. the macrophages were shown to induce secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 and 6 (IL-1, IL-6) and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma). We then tested antitumor activity of the macrophages activated by the KM-110. Peritoneal macrophages harvested from the KM110-treated Balb/c mice exhibited cytotoxicity against the syngeneic 3LL carcinoma cells. ...continue...
Animals ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-1 ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; Mice ; Mistletoe* ; Mitogens ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Viscum album* ; Viscum*

BACKGROUND: The effects of the dietary administration of two heat-inactivated whole bacteria from the Vibrionaceae family, singly or combined, on innate immune response of the rainbow trout were studied. The two bacteria (Pdp11 and 51M6), which were obtained from the skin of rainbow trout, showed in vitro characteristics that suggested they could be considered as potential fish probiotics. METHODS: The fish were fed four different diets: control (non-supplemented), or diets supplemented with heat-inactivated bacteria at 10(8) cfu/g Pdp11, 10(8) cfu/g 51M6 or with 0.5x10(8) cfu/g Pdp11 plus 0.5x10(8) cfu/g 51M6 for 4 weeks. Six fish were sampled at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4, and then the main humoral (natural haemolytic complement activity and serum peroxidase content) and cellular innate immune responses (leucocyte peroxidase content, phagocytosis, respiratory burst and cytotoxicity) were evaluated. RESULTS: The serum peroxidase content and the natural haemolytic complement activity increased with time, reaching the highest values in the third and fourth weeks of feeding, respectively. The phagocytic ability of specimens fed the mixture of the two inactivated bacteria was significantly higher than in the controls after 2 and 3 weeks of treatment. The same activity increased significantly in rainbow trout fed the Pdp11 diet for 2 weeks or the 51M6 diet for 3 weeks. Respiratory burst activity was unaffected by all the experimental diets at all times assayed. Cytotoxic activity had significantly increased after 3 weeks in fish fed the 51M6 diet. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the usefulness of incorporating inactivated probiotic bacteria into fish diets.
Bacteria ; Complement System Proteins ; Diet ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Oncorhynchus mykiss ; Peroxidase ; Phagocytosis ; Probiotics ; Respiratory Burst ; Skin ; Vibrionaceae

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of acetabular reconstruction in severe acetabular bony defect using acetabular roof reinforcement ring with hook. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five acetabular reconstructions using acetabular roof reinforcement ring with hook were performed between 1993 and 1997 and were followed up for more than two years. Bony defect was classified according to AAOS classification system. The clinical function was evaluated by Harris hip score and radiographical evaluation was focused on the osseous union of the grafted bone, reconstruction of center of rotation and any signs of socket loosening. RESULTS: The mean Harris hip score improved from 49 points preoperatively to 85 points at the final follow up. The bone graft was incorporated in 33 cases as shown by radiographic remodelling and had a homogenous trabecular appearance. In all cases, the center of rotation was repositioned within three milimeters from the anatomical position. One case was rerevised due to hook failure and postoperative deep infection. Another hook failure without infection was found in one case, but this patient had no radiographic or clinical instability because of bony consolidation after the grafted bone initially settled down at final follow up. Postoperative complications were hip dislocation in 3 hips, nonunion of the greater trochanter in one hip and discomfort at autograft donor site in 3 hips. CONCLUSION: Acetabular reconstruction using acetabular roof reinforcement ring with hook combined with morcellised bone graft was considered to be an useful methods especially in severe acetabular bone deficiency.
Acetabulum* ; Autografts ; Classification ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Hip Dislocation ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most common cause of death in Korea and usually considered as a monophasic event. But recently acute expansion of the hematoma within an hour to a day, has been reported as a cause of severe neurological deterioration and death. To know the incidence and risk factors of acute expansion of the hematoma in hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage, the authors retrospectively analysed 96 hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage patients who were admitted to Minjoong hospital from January 1997 to December 1998. Neurological examination with Glasgow Coma Scale and first computed tomography (CT) scan were performed as soon as possible after arrival. Then second CT scan was performed within an hour to a day before the operation. Blood sample was taken within an hour for routine laboratory examination including liver function and coagulation test. The amount and shape of hematoma on CT scans were carefully measured to know whether acute expansion was occurred or not. The patients who have acute expansion of the hematoma were 15 patients (15.6%). Expansion of the hematoma was not correlated with sex, age, site, shape, or amount of hematoma statistically. But thalamic hematoma in location, irregular shape of hematoma, or large amount of hematoma has a tendency of acute expansion. The time of onset to arrival, initial systolic pressure, liver dysfunction and history of heavy alcohol drinking were correlated with acute expansion statistically (p<0.05). The shorter the time of onset to arrival and the higher initial systolic pressure, the more the incidence of acute expansion of the hematoma significantly. Acute expansion of the hematoma was significantly increased with the severity of liver dysfunction and history of heavy alcohol drinking. The levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) and platelet (PLT) count were meaningful indices of hematoma expansion.
Alcohol Drinking ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Pressure ; Cause of Death ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive* ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Neurologic Examination ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: The immunomodulatory effects of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album Coloratum) on the innate immune responses of eel (Anguilla japonica) were studied. METHODS: Mistletoe, Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a control was injected into eel peritoneal cavities. RESULTS: Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-positive cells in the head kidney of eel were significantly augmented by the second day post-injection of mistletoe. Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) were more produced in mistletoe-injected fish kidney leucocytes than in FCA-injected ones. The level of lysozyme activity in the serum of fish 2 days after injection with mistletoe was also significantly higher than that in the serum of the control fish. The optimal concentration of mistletoe in inducing the highest serum lysozyme activity was revealed to 500microgram/200 g of fish. In phagocytic activity assay, mistletoe-sensitized eel kidney phagocytes captured more zymosan than did the control fish. CONCLUSION: Korean mistletoe appeared to be a good activator of the non-specific immune responses of eel.
Eels ; Head Kidney ; Immunity, Innate ; Kidney ; Mistletoe ; Muramidase ; Nitroblue Tetrazolium ; Oxygen ; Phagocytes ; Zymosan

OBJECTIVES: A stratified cross-over study was conducted to evaluate the effects of familiarity with computer on the performance of computerized neurobehavioral tests. Effects of keyboard type on the relationship between familiarity with computer and performance of computerized neurobehavioral tests were also examined. METHODS: We tested 70 persons classified into three groups according to degree of familiarity with computer: Group 1 was people with no computer competency, Group 2 had slight working experience on the computer, and Group 3 were highly competent and efficient on the computer. For each group, we executed 4 tests of the Korean version of the Swedish Performance Evaluation System (Simple Reaction Time, Addition, Symbol Digit, and Finger Tapping Speed). Three types of keyboard were applied for all three groups. Type 1 keyboard was a conventional layout with 106 keys. We removed the unused keys except for the 17 which were used in the test and remodeled the normal keyboard into Type 2 keyboard with 17 keys (10 numeric keys, 4 arrow keys, space bar, and both Ctrl keys). Type 3 keyboard with 11 keys consisted of 10 numeric keys and the space bar was newly developed for the computerized neurobehavioral performance test. RESULTS: It was found that Simple Reaction Time, Addition, and Finger Tapping Speed were not affected by familiarity with computer and type of keyboard. The mean reaction time of Symbol Digit adjusted by age and educational level with Type 1 keyboard was found to have significant difference among the three groups (F=3.347, p=0.041). The performance of Symbol Digit in Group 1 was found to be significantly lower than that in Group 2. The performances of Symbol Digit measured with Types 2 and 3 keyboards were not found to have significant differences among the three groups. In Groups 1 and 3, the performances of Symbol Digit measured with Type 1 keyboard were found to be significantly lower than those of other keyboards. CONCLUSIONS: According to the above results, Simple Reaction Time, Addition, and Finger Tapping Speed have high priority over other neurobehavioral tests for the workers having varying degrees of computer familiarity. It is also suggested that familiarity with computer and keyboard type needs to be considered in interpretation of the performance of Symbol Digit. We recommended executing the computerized neurobehavioral test with keyboards 2 or 3 to reduce the effect of computer familiarity.
Cross-Over Studies ; Fingers ; Humans ; Reaction Time ; Recognition (Psychology)*