Cortex mori (Morus alba L.: Sangbaikpi), the root bark of mulberry tree, has been used as an antiphlogistic, diuretic, and expectorant in herbal medicine. Previous studies have demonstrated that the phenolic extract of Cortex mori have hypotensive, hypoglycemic, antifungal, antiviral, antiinflammatory, and anticancer effects, and the hot water extract from Cortex mori has inhibitory effects on compound 48/80- induced mast cell degranulation and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). This study was perforrned to investigate the effects of polysaccharide fraction from Cortex mori (PFCM) on compound 48/80-induced degranulation, histamine release, calcium influx, changes of intracellular cAMP and cGMP level, and morphological changes of RPMCs. The results were summarized as follows. 1) Compound 48/80-induced cytomorphological changes such as swelling, degranulation, intracellular vacuoles, and interrupted cell boundary were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with either hot water or polysaccaride fractions frorn Cortex mori (PFCM), 2) the compound 48/80-induced histamine release from RPMCs pretreated with PFCM was significantly inhibited, compared to that of control without PFCM pretreatment, 3) the PFCM inhibited remarkably the compound 48/80-induced calcium influx into the RPMCs, 4) the PFCM increased significantly the intracellular cAMP levels and decreased the intracellular cGMP levels of RPMCs, compared to those of normal control, and 5) the compound 48/80-induced cAMP levels of RPMCs pretreated with PFCM were significantly increased, compared to those of positive control without PFCM, and the compound 48/80-induced cGMP levels of RPMCs pretreated with PFCM were remarkably decreased, compared to those of positive control without PFCM. From the above results, it is suggested that PFCM have an activity to inhibit the compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation.
Animals ; Calcium ; Herbal Medicine ; Histamine Release ; Mast Cells* ; Morus ; Phenol ; Rats ; Trees ; Vacuoles ; Water

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, which invades a wide range of hosts including humans. The exact mechanisms involved in its invasion are not fully understood. This study focused on the roles of Ca2+ in host cell invasion and in T. gondii replication. We examined the invasion and replication of T. gondii pretreated with several calcium modulators, the conoid extrusion of tachyzoites. Calmodulin localization in T. gondii were observed using the immunogold method, and Ca2+ levels in tachyzoites by confocal microscopy. In light microscopic observation, tachyzoites co-treated with A23187 and EGTA showed that host cell invasion and intracellular replication were decreased. The invasion of tachyzoites was slightly inhibited by the Ca2+ channel blockers, bepridil and verapamil, and by the calmodulin antagonist, calmidazolium. We observed that calcium saline containing A23187 induced the extrusion of tachyzoite conoid. By immunoelectron microscopy, gold particles bound to anti-calmodulin or anti-actin mAb, were found to be localized on the anterior portion of tachyzoites. Remarkably reduced intracellular Ca2+ was observed in tachyzoites treated with BAPTA/AM by confocal microscopy. These results suggest that host cell invasion and the intracellular replication of T. gondii tachyzoites are inhibited by the calcium ionophore, A23187, and by the extracellular calcium chelator, EGTA.
Animals ; Calcium/*physiology ; Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology ; Calmodulin/antagonists & inhibitors ; Chelating Agents/pharmacology ; Hela Cells ; Host-Parasite Relations ; Humans ; Ionophores/pharmacology ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Toxoplasma/drug effects/pathogenicity/*physiology

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Development of rapid drug susceptibility testing provides the opportunity for rapid identification of individuals with drug resistant tubercle bacilli, allowing selection of appropriate therapeutic regimens. METHODS: A total of 502 drug resistant isolates were subjected to reverse blot hybridization assay to detect mutations within genes (rpoB, katG, inhA, and ahpC) associated with rifampicin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH) resistance. RESULTS: Among the 264 RMP resistant strains (RMPR) tested, the most prevalent mutation was the Ser531Leu seen in 121 strains (46%). The second common mutation occurred in 84 strains (32%) at codon 526. And 27 strains (10%) showed the mutation at codon 516. Among all 469 INH resistant strains (INHR), the katG mutation was responsible for INH. The inhA mutation was present in 88 strains (19%). In 11 isolates (2%), coexisting of the katG and inhA mutations were identified. Reverse hybridization assay successfully detected over 80% of INHR and over 92% of RMPR among Korean isolates. CONCLUSION: Reverse hybridization was useful for rapid detection of INHR and RMPR.
Codon ; Genotype ; Isoniazid* ; Korea ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Rifampin*

BACKGROUND: For Neer type IIB fracture of distal clavicle with coracoclavicular ligament injury, various surgical treatments have been used in literatures. However, there was no consensus on the optimal treatment. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and radiological results of open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal clavicle fracture and suture augmentation of disrupted coracoclavicular ligament. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 23 patients with Neer type IIB distal clavicle fracture in Seoul Medical Center, Eulji Hospital, and National Medical Center. Firstly, suture anchors are inserted in the base of coracoid process and preliminary reduction was achieved by tie-off of three suture limbs around the clavicle. Then, the final fixation was completed with anatomical locking plate. Bony union and the distance between coracoclavicular ligaments were evaluated. Clinical results and complications including stiffness and secondary procedures were evaluated. RESULTS: Bony union was achieved in all cases except one (22 of 23). At mean 14.9 months, no significant difference in the mean coracoclavicular distance was observed compared to uninjured shoulder (8.2 +/- 7.9 mm versus 7.3 +/- 3.4 mm, p=0.14). Pain visual analogue scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were 0.5, 83.4, 78.5, and 6.2, respectively. Revision surgery was performed in one case of nonunion. Four patients who complained of skin irritation underwent implant removal. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of an unstable distal clavicle fracture with coracoclavicular ligament disruption, satisfactory clinical results were obtained by locking plate fixation and coracoclavicular ligament suture augmentation concurrently.
Arm ; Clavicle* ; Consensus ; Elbow ; Extremities ; Hand ; Humans ; Ligaments* ; Prospective Studies ; Seoul ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures ; Skin ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures*

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in type 2 diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of Korean type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients according to plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level and to document the effect of diet on HDL-cholesterol. METHODS: The subjects were 252 (male: 134, female: 118) Korean type 2 DM patients recruited from a general hospital's DM clinic and divided into low HDL-cholesterol group (male < 40 mg/dL, female < 50 mg/dL) and control group (male > or = 40 mg/dL, female > or = 50 mg/dL). Anthropometric and hematological variables and dietary intake were assessed by the groups. RESULTS: The subject's mean age was 60.2 +/- 1.1 years and duration of diabetes was 9.5 +/- 1.0 years. Anthropometric measurements (body fat mass, % body fat, WHR, fat free mass, and muscle mass) and BMI were not significantly different between two groups. The male subjects with low HDL-cholesterolemia showed higher Atherogenic Index (AI, P < 0.001) and higher % carbohydrate from energy than control group (P < 0.01). The female subjects with low HDL-cholesterolemia showed higher AI (P < 0.001) and a tendency of higher triglyceride level and lower intake of energy, protein, lipid, vitamin B1 and vitamin E (P < 0.05) than control group. CONCLUSION: The subject with low HDL-cholesterolemia showed significantly higher AI. Male subject with low HDL-cholesterolemia consumed higher carbohydrate and female subject with low HDL-cholesterolemia showed lower intakes of many nutrients. This result suggests the importance of an adequate and balanced diet to manage type 2 DM patients to prevent CVD complications.
Adipose Tissue ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Muscles ; Plasma ; Thiamine ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: The recent rise in the number of patients visiting emergency rooms with acute cardiogenic shock underscores the need for immediate efforts to develop affordable circulatory assist devices. Recently, a pneumatic pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD) named DKUH-75, has been developed by the authors. We evaluated the feasibility of the DKUH-75 VAD in pigs placed into an acute cardiogenic shock state following myocardial infarction through a novel coronary artery ligation method involving ischemic preconditioning. METHODS: Acute cardiogenic shock was induced in 5 YorkshirexLandracexDuroc pigs by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery via the ischemic preconditioning process. Afterward, the DKUH-75 VAD was implanted one hour after the onset of shock. Hemodynamic variables, echocardiographic findings and the level of circulating catecholamine were ascertained one hour after VAD installation. RESULTS: Systolic and mean systemic arterial pressures were increased while pulmonary arterial pressure were decreased one hour after the VAD implantation. LVEDP decreased, and the cardiac index increased significantly. In echocardiographic findings, the left ventricular end systolic dimension decreased after VAD implantation, and the fractional shortening and the ejection fraction increased significantly. The level of circulating catecholamine was increased one hour after the coronary artery ligation and was decreased one hour after VAD implantation, but these trends did not reach a statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The DKUH-75 VAD may help in the recovery of myocardial function, and we postulate that early VAD installation can improve outcome for the cardiogenic shock patients in the emergency room by preventing further development of congestive heart failure. However, further experiments are needed in order to demonstrate the statistical significance of the observed results.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Catecholamines ; Coronary Vessels ; Emergencies ; Heart Failure ; Heart-Assist Devices ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Ligation ; Myocardial Infarction ; Shock ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; Swine

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) is frequently observed in patients with acute stroke. There have been conflicting opinions about the associations of CSR with the location and size of the lesion. We aimed to better define the clinical relevance and pathogenesis of CSR in acute stroke. METHODS: We investigated patients who had been admitted with acute ischemic stroke and received an overnight sleep apnea test. We collected data on demographics, risk factors, etiologic subtypes, initial vital signs, clinical course of the stroke, and parameters associated with respiratory events during the sleep apnea test. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the factors associated with CSR. RESULTS: Among 182 patients, 35 patients showed CSR in sleep apnea testing. Large-artery atherosclerosis or cardioembolism, bilateral hemispheric involvement, atrial fibrillation, low left-ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), and left atrium (LA) enlargement were all associated with the presence of CSR. Multivariate analysis revealed that the previous modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, bilateral hemispheric involvement, low LVEF, and LA enlargement were significantly associated with CSR. Subgroup analysis with large-artery atherosclerosis without cardiac disease revealed that the previous mRS score is the only independent factor associated with CSR. CONCLUSIONS: CSR frequently occurs in strokes involving large arteries or due to cardioembolism, regardless of the location and severity of the stroke. Predisposing conditions such as preexisting neurologic disability, low LVEF, and LA enlargement are associated with CSR in acute stroke.
Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cheyne-Stokes Respiration* ; Demography ; Heart Atria ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Stroke* ; Vital Signs

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among the levels of total serum cholesterol level, blood pressure, body mass index, and lifestyle. METHOD: This study was designed as a descriptive correlation study. Subjects were 972 adults participated voluntarily living in GyeongNam. The height, weight, blood pressure and fasting serum cholesterol were measured. Body mass index was caculated. Information on general characteristics (age, gender, education, job, family history) and life style(cigarette, alchol, sleeping time, regular exercise, meal pattern, peppery, salty, sweetness, vegetable diet, meat diet) were collected using a questionnaire by interviewing method. RESULT: The mean value of total serum cholesterol was 197+/-36.4mg/dl(mean; 189.4+/-36.7, women; 202.1 +/-35.1). By simple analysis, the serum total cholesterol according to general characteristics features was statistically significant in age(F= 6.765, p=000) and gender (t=5.372, p=.000). Total serum cholesterol levels increased significantly with increasing BMI. The serum total cholesterol according to life style features was statistically significant in cigarette(chi2 =12.12, p=.016), exercise(chi2=6.335, p=.042), salty taste(chi2=18.801, p=016), vegetable diet(chi2=19.488, p=012). The most affecting factor which total serum cholesterol factor was BMI(beta=.151, p=.000). CONCLUSION: The significant risk factors relating to serum total cholesterol were age, gender, BMI, smoking, and exercise. Therefore, for the reduction of serum total cholesterol level, it is recommended that nursing intervention for the prevention of obesity, change of life style should be implemented.
Adult ; Blood Pressure* ; Body Mass Index* ; Cholesterol* ; Climacteric ; Diet ; Education ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Meals ; Meat ; Nursing ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Statistics as Topic ; Vegetables

Purpose: To describe pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases after the reopening of schools in the Republic of Korea and their transmission routes. Methods: All case report forms and epidemiologic investigation forms for children aged 3–18 years reported as COVID-19 cases to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System from May 1 to July 12, 2020, were reviewed. Results: After the schools were reopened in May 2020, a total of 127 pediatric COVID-19 cases were confirmed until July 12. Of these, 59 children (46%) were exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 through family and relatives, followed by 18 children (14%) through cram schools or private lessons, 8 children (6%) through multi-use facilities, and 3 children (2%) through school. Conclusions The present data do not suggest an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission in the context of stringent school-based infection prevention measures introduced across the country.