Objective: To examine the effects of Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) extract on the modulation of calcium channels to evaluate its use in topical agents for treatment of atopic dermatitis. Methods: The 70% methanol extract of T. terrestris was prepared. Human HEK293T cells with over-expressed calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1 (Orai1), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, or transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) were treated with T. terrestris extract. Modulation of ion channels was measured using a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results: T. terrestris extract (100 mg/mL) significantly inhibited Orai1 activity in Orai1-stromal interaction molecule 1 co-overexpressed HEK293T cells. In addition, T. terrestris extract significantly increased the TRPV3 activity compared with 2-Aminoethyl diphe-nylborinate (100 mmol/L), which induces the full activation of TRPV3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that T. terrestris extract may have a therapeutic po-tential for recovery of abnormal skin barrier pathologies in atopic dermatitis through modulating the activities of calcium ion channels, Orai1 and TRPV3. This is the first study to report the modulatory effect of a medicinal plant on the function of ion channels in skin barrier.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis results from bone loss due to menopause [estrogen(E) deficiency] and aging. Initial skeletal effect of menopause is accelerated bone resorption with an increase in seurm calcium(Ca) and compensatory but inadequate bone formation. Secretion of parathyroid hormone(PTH) is suppressed at this time. Postmenopausal osteoporosis results in fractures predominantly of trabecular bone, i.e., vertebra. With aging, secondary hyperparathyroidism by low serum Ca and vitamin D deficiency superim poses. Senile osteoporosis produces hip fractures, area of cortical bone. The aim of this study was to- examine the association of vitamin D[25(OH)D] and intact(i) PTH with bone mineral density(BMD) after controlling for suggested confounding factors, and the possibility of low serum vitamin D and high serum iPTH concentration could impact bone loss in Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: Data from 188 postmenopausal Korean women aged 42 to 69 were analyzed through BMD, serum 25(OH)D, iPTH, Ca, phosphorus(P), alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and clinical characteristics. Factors affecting BMD was determined by Pearson correlation and the relationship between lumbar and femoral neck BMD and vitamin D[25(OH)D] and iPTH was assessed by multiple regression analysis after adjus- ting for suggested confounding factors. RESULTS: Lumbar and femoral neck BMD, serum Ca, P were decresaed and serum iPTH was increased with aging. In Pearson`s correlation, significant contributing factors to lumbar BMD was age, height, weight, menarche, year since menopause(YSM) and ALP. And significant contributing factors to femoral neck BMD was age, height, weight, menarche, YSM and iPTH. No relationship could be demonstrated between serum vitamin D[25(OH)D] and lumbar and femoral neck BMD. How ever, after controlling for potential confounding factors, a correlation was found between vitamin D[25(OH)D] and both of lumbar (p=0.013) and femoral neck BMD(p=0.077). iPTH was inversely related to femoral neck BMD(p=0.004) only in multiple linear regression. CONCLUSION: Serum vitamin D[25(OH)D] was influencing both of vertebral and femoral neck BMD, which suggests a significant role of vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteo- porosis. In age related remodeling and loss of bone, increased serum iPTH might have additive role in cortical bone of femur. These findings suggest that vitamin D is very important for optimal bone health and a deleterious effect of increased iPTH on cortical bone loss. Adequate calcium and vitamin D status have to be maintained to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal Korean women.
Aging ; Bone Density* ; Bone Resorption ; Calcium ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Linear Models ; Menarche ; Menopause ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Parathyroid Hormone* ; Spine ; Tolnaftate ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Intussusception*

No abstract available.
Causality* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Pneumothorax*

A case of cardiac arrest due to left ventricular stab wound was resuscitated by open cardiac massage and surgery. The experience was concluded as follows: 1. Under light anesthesia, bleeding was controlled by immediate surgery, which might have increased the survival rate. 2. Sufficient oxygen administration and proper anti-shock therapy provided an excellent prognosis.
Anesthesia* ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Massage ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Wounds, Stab

A case of respiratory paralysis due to Fugu poisoning recovered after 24 hours of artificial respiration with I.P.P.R. 1) Through an endotracheal tube, I.P.P.B. with oxygen was applied and normal ventilation was maintained. 2) Supporting measures including proper management of electrolyte balance promoted the patients recovery. 3) Antibiotics played an important role in prevention of secondary infections.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Coinfection ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Poisoning* ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Paralysis ; Takifugu ; Ventilation ; Water-Electrolyte Balance

No abstract available.
Rickettsia typhi* ; Rickettsia*

The vaso-epididymography and vasoseminal vesiculography is the only diagnositc method for investigating thepatency and abnormal lesion of male genital system radiologically. The author performed 53 cases ofvaso-epididymography and vasoseminal vesiculography in Busan National University Hospital during the 8 years from1973 to 1981. All patients complained of primary infertility more than a year and were confirmed azoospermia onsemen examination, and 23 cases of them underwent testicular biopsy. The results are as follows; 1. The agedistribution were mainly between 26 and 35 years old (83.0%). 2. The infertile duration were almost from 1 to 5years(86.8%). 3. The past history associated with infertility was gonorrhea, tuberculosis and scrotal trauma. 4.Of the 23 cases of confirmed by testicular biopsy, the pathologic findings were normal spermatogenesis in 12 cases(52.2%) and hypospermatogenesis or arrest type in 11 cases (47.8%). 5. Non-filling sites of contrast media onvas-epididymography and vasoseminal vesiculography were epididymis(83.0%), ejaculatory duct (41.5%) and seminalvesicle (24.5%), were commonly bilateral (68.0%) and were more prevalent in the right side than left (1.2:1.0). 6.The abnormal findings of ejaculatory ducts, seminal vesicles, vas ampullas and vas deferens were mainly strictureof obstruction, obstruction of dilatation, beaded appearance or obstruction and obstruction respectively. 7. Inthe epididymis, there was almost obstructive lesion at the tail portion(83.0%).
Azoospermia ; Biopsy ; Busan ; Contrast Media ; Dilatation ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; Epididymis ; Gonorrhea ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Male ; Methods ; Oligospermia ; Seminal Vesicles ; Spermatogenesis ; Tail ; Tuberculosis ; Vas Deferens

Coronary artery fistula is an unusual anomaly in elderly patients that consists of a communication bet- ween one of the coronary arteries and other cardiac chambers or veins. It causes many cardiac compli- cations due to hemodynamic changes, and thus has recognized its clinical significance. It occurs usually in congenital origin, but also occurs secondarily in traumatic or neoplastic or artherosclerotic coronary diseases. Congenital coronary artery fistula is a very rare congenital anomaly that results in multiple hemodynamic complications. It has reported rarely in elderly patients, that induces myocardial ischemia due to coronary steal syndrome and heart failure that caused by diastolic volume overload via a left to left shunt. We observed a 68-year-old male patient with exertional chest pain and dyspnea, in whom selective coronary angiography revealed abnormal reticular communication between left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery and drained to left ventricle through multiple microfistulous channels. We report this patient case who complicated by myocardial ischemia and left ventricular failure those caused by hemodynamic complication due to multiple coronary artery-left ventricular fistulae.
Aged ; Arteries ; Cations ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Dyspnea ; Fistula ; Heart Failure* ; Heart Ventricles ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Veins

Coronary artery fistula is an unusual anomaly in elderly patients that consists of a communication bet- ween one of the coronary arteries and other cardiac chambers or veins. It causes many cardiac compli- cations due to hemodynamic changes, and thus has recognized its clinical significance. It occurs usually in congenital origin, but also occurs secondarily in traumatic or neoplastic or artherosclerotic coronary diseases. Congenital coronary artery fistula is a very rare congenital anomaly that results in multiple hemodynamic complications. It has reported rarely in elderly patients, that induces myocardial ischemia due to coronary steal syndrome and heart failure that caused by diastolic volume overload via a left to left shunt. We observed a 68-year-old male patient with exertional chest pain and dyspnea, in whom selective coronary angiography revealed abnormal reticular communication between left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery and drained to left ventricle through multiple microfistulous channels. We report this patient case who complicated by myocardial ischemia and left ventricular failure those caused by hemodynamic complication due to multiple coronary artery-left ventricular fistulae.
Aged ; Arteries ; Cations ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Dyspnea ; Fistula ; Heart Failure* ; Heart Ventricles ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Veins