OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effects of total flavones of metasequosia (TFM) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODThe bilateral vertebral arteries of rats were occluded under anesthesia, and 4-5 h later the carotid arteries of rats in the conscious condition were occluded for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 90 min. The effects of TFM on the contents of water, Na+, Ca2+ in cortex, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in brain hemispheres, as well as the EEG activities were observed.

RESULTAfter 30 min ischemia and 90 min reperfusion, the contents of water, Na+ , Ca2+ and MDA were increased, and the SOD activity was reduced with abnormal EEG activity and ischemic injury in the brain tissues. TFM 25-100 mg x kg(-1) ip 30 min before the carotid arteries were occluded, decreased the elevated water, Na+, Ca2+ and MDA contents, increased the SOD activity, reduced the ischemic injury of brain tissue, and promoted the recovery of EEG activities.

CONCLUSIONTFM has a protective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Electroencephalography ; drug effects ; Flavones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Taxodiaceae ; chemistry

Recurrent episodes of venoocclusive priapism have been described previously in patients who have had repeated exposure to a recognized stimulus such as intracavernosal injections of vasoactive agents, or pathologic conditions such as spinal stenosis or hematological disorders. Three patients were referred for evaluation of an unusual sequoia of an initial episode of idiopathic venoocclusive priapism, occurred with a frequency ranging from several times per month to once per year and were symptomatically disabling. We reviewed the characteristics and the possible pathophysiology of this syndrome and some therapeutic options in the management of these patients.
Humans ; Priapism* ; Sequoia ; Spinal Stenosis

A protocol of polymerase chain reaction-random amplified polymorphic DNAs (PCR-RAPDs) was established to analyse the gene diversity and genotype identification for clones of Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl. in Chile. Ten (out of 34) clones from introduction trial located in Voipir-Villarrica, Chile, were studied. The PCR-RAPDs technique and a modified hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol were used for genomic DNA extraction. The PCR tests were carried out employing 10-mer random primers. The amplification products were detected by electrophoresis in agarose gels. Forty nine polymorphic bands were obtained with the selected primers (BG04, BF07, BF12, BF13, and BF14) and were ordered according to their molecular size. The genetic similarity between samples was calculated by the Jaccard index and a dendrogram was constructed using a cluster analysis of unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA). Of the primers tested, 5 (out of 60) RAPD primers were selected for their reproducibility and high polymorphism. A total of 49 polymorphic RAPD bands were detected out of 252 bands. The genetic similarity analysis demonstrates an extensive genetic variability between the tested clones and the dendrogram depicts the genetic relationships among the clones, suggesting a geographic relationship. The results indicate that the RAPD markers permitted the identification of the assayed clones, although they are derived from the same geographic origin.
Genotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; methods ; Sequoia ; classification ; genetics

While in recent there has been a worldwide decrease in the incidence of convulsion Iron toxemic pregnancy due to improved in the quality and quantity of prenatal care, there has been a relative increase in the proportion of postpartum cases of eclampsia. Postpartum eclampsia accounts for 25% of total eclampsia and occurs most frequently during the first postpartum day. We experienced a case of postpartum eclampsia of immediate onset after cesarean section in a 29 year eld primigravida patient with mild preeclampsia antenataly. She had two convulsive seigure, the first attacH occured juat before the end of anesthesia and the second attacik about 30 minutes after the cesarian section. At that time the patient was treated with thiopental and diazepam intravenously Under the impression of postpartum eclampsia she was given MgSO4, for one day and experienced no other seizures after then. She awakened fully and exhibited no neurological sequeale from the eclampsia. She was discharged from the hospital on the sixth postoperative day with no other complications or sequoia.
Anesthesia ; Cesarean Section* ; Diazepam ; Eclampsia* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iron ; Postpartum Period* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Care ; Seizures ; Sequoia ; Thiopental

While in recent there has been a worldwide decrease in the incidence of convulsion Iron toxemic pregnancy due to improved in the quality and quantity of prenatal care, there has been a relative increase in the proportion of postpartum cases of eclampsia. Postpartum eclampsia accounts for 25% of total eclampsia and occurs most frequently during the first postpartum day. We experienced a case of postpartum eclampsia of immediate onset after cesarean section in a 29 year eld primigravida patient with mild preeclampsia antenataly. She had two convulsive seigure, the first attacH occured juat before the end of anesthesia and the second attacik about 30 minutes after the cesarian section. At that time the patient was treated with thiopental and diazepam intravenously Under the impression of postpartum eclampsia she was given MgSO4, for one day and experienced no other seizures after then. She awakened fully and exhibited no neurological sequeale from the eclampsia. She was discharged from the hospital on the sixth postoperative day with no other complications or sequoia.
Anesthesia ; Cesarean Section* ; Diazepam ; Eclampsia* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iron ; Postpartum Period* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Care ; Seizures ; Sequoia ; Thiopental

No abstract available.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Cryptomeria ; Humans ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Sublingual Immunotherapy

Jeju is an island in South Korea located in a temperate climate zone. The Japanese cedar tree (JC) has become the dominant tree species while used widely to provide a windbreak for the tangerine orchard industry. An increase in pollen counts precedes atopic sensitization to pollen and pollinosis, but JC pollinosis in Jeju has never been studied. We investigated JC pollen counts, sensitization to JC pollen, and JC pollinosis. Participants were recruited among schoolchildren residing in Jeju City, the northern region (NR) and Seogwipo City, the southern region (SR) of the island. The JC pollen counts were monitored. Sensitization rates to common aeroallergens were evaluated by skin prick tests. Symptoms of pollinosis were surveyed. Among 1,225 schoolchildren (49.6% boys, median age 13 years), 566 (46.2%) were atopic. The rate of sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (35.8%) was highest, followed by D. farinae (26.2%), and JC pollen (17.6%). In the SR, 156 children (23.8%) were sensitized to JC pollen; this rate was significantly higher than that in the NR (59 children, 10.4%, P<0.001). A significant increment in the sensitization rate for JC pollen with increasing school level was observed only in the SR. JC pollen season in the SR started earlier and lasted longer than that in the NR. JC pollen season in Jeju was defined as extending from late January to mid-April. The prevalence of JC pollinosis was estimated to be 8.5%. The prevalence differed significantly between the NR and SR (5.3% vs 11.3%, P<0.001), mainly due to the difference in sensitization rates. JC pollen is the major outdoor allergen for early spring pollinosis in Jeju. JC pollen season is from late January to mid-April. Warmer weather during the flowering season scatters more JC pollen in the atmosphere, resulting in a higher sensitization rate in atopic individuals and, consequently, making JC pollinosis more prevalent.
Atmosphere ; Child ; Climate ; Cryptomeria* ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Flowers ; Humans ; Korea ; Pollen ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal* ; Seasons ; Skin ; Trees ; Weather

Air-borne pollen is known as one of the major causal agents to respiratory allergic reactions. The daily number of pollen grains was monitored using Burkard volumetric spore traps at eight locations including Seoul and Jeju during 1997-2005. Pollen grains were observed throughout the year especially from February to November. They showed similar distribution patterns of species among locations except Jeju, where Japanese cedar vegetation is uniquely found. The peak seasons for pollen grains from trees, grasses, and weeds were from March to May, May to September, and August to October. Tree pollens were mainly composed of pine, oak, alder, and birch. Weed pollens were mainly from Japanese hop, sagebrush, and ragweed. The diameter of pollen grains, which has a typical range of 20~60 micrometer, has close relationship with allergenicity. The allergenicity of trees and weed pollens is higher than that of grass pollens in general. Daily fluctuations in the amount of pollens have to do with a variety of meteorological factors such as temperature, rainfall, and the duration of sunshine. Temperature and rainfall are especially decisive in determining pollen concentrations. Ten weather elements that are thought to affect the concentration of pollens are used to develop equations for the pollen forecasts. Predictive equations for each pollen species and month are developed based on statistical analyses using observed data during the last 5 years in Seoul through a co-work with the Committee of Pollen Study in Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases and National Institute of Meteorological Research.
Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Cryptomeria ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Meteorological Concepts ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Seasons ; Spores ; Sunlight ; Weather

PURPOSE: This study is to investigate the influence of the residential environment on the sensitization rates to aeroallergens and the prevalences of atopic disorders in the school children. METHODS: Two elementary schools in Jeju, Korea were selected according to their distinctive residential environment, one located in the area surrounded by the tangerine farms and Japanese cedar forests (tangerine farming community) and the other rarely with them (non-tangerine farming community). All the school children (1,550 students) from the two school were enrolled in this study. Under their parents' informed consent, surveys based on International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire were answered by the parents and skin prick tests with 16 common aeroallergens were performed. RESULTS: The questionnaire is responded from 1,290 parents (83.2%) and the skin test was done in 1,284 students (82.8%). The sensitization rates to more than one aeroallergen was 41.9%, increasing by age. The children residing in the tangerine farming community showed significantly higher sensitization rates than those from non-farming one (47.5% vs. 38.4%, P=0.004). The former were sensitized more frequently to house dust mite, citrus red mite and Japanese cedar pollen, while the others to outdoor moulds. However, the prevalence of atopic disorders had no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The residential environment might influence the sensitization rates to prevalent aeroallergens in the environment among school children, but there is no difference in the prevalence of the atopic disorders.
Allergens ; Asthma ; Child ; Citrus ; Cryptomeria ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Informed Consent ; Korea ; Mites ; Parents ; Pollen ; Prevalence ; Pyroglyphidae ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Skin ; Skin Tests

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of asthma has been increasing due to changes in lifestyles. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma and atopy for an interval of three years in children living in rural areas of Cheju island. METHODS: A total of 1,055 and 755 subjects aged 7-15 years in South Cheju County were enrolled for an interval of three years, respectively. They responded to the modified ISAAC questionnaire, and underwent allergy skin prick test with locally common aeroallergens and methacholine bronchial provocation test. Children who had asthma symptom as reported on the questionnaire and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine were diagnosed as current asthma. Atopy was defined as the positive skin responses to one or more aeroallergens. RESULTS: The prevalence of current asthma had increased from 4.4% to 7.0% during the three years, especially among children aged 13 to 15 years (3.9% vs. 7.6%), although the asthma prevalence was similar between the two intervals among children aged 7 to 12 years (5.2% vs. 6.8%). The atopy rate had significantly increased from 37.7% to 45.9% during the three years. As for common sensitizing aeroallergens, sensitization rate to citrus red mite had significantly increased among both the young and the old age groups. The sensitization rates to house dust mites, such as D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, had increased among the old age groups, but not among the young age groups, although the sensitization rates to cockroach and Japanese cedar pollen were similar among both the young and old age groups at the two intervals. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of current asthma and atopy had increased among children living in rural areas of Cheju island during the three year interval. The sensitization to house dust mite and citrus red mite had increased during the three years, and may play an important role in the increased prevalence of current asthma.
Asthma* ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Child* ; Citrus ; Cockroaches ; Cryptomeria ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Jeju-do* ; Life Style ; Methacholine Chloride ; Mites ; Pollen ; Prevalence* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Skin ; Surveys and Questionnaires