PURPOSE: We evaluated whether a 6Fr transurethral catheter affects urinary flow in women undergoing pressure-flow studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed urodynamics database of 201 consecutive women referred for the evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms from January 1997 to June 2000. Before the urodynamic study, all patients voided privately using a standard toilet and free uroflowmetry parameters were recorded. Then, a standard pressure-flow study was performed using 6Fr transurethral catheter. We excluded the patients with inadequate voided volume(<150ml) and volume difference more than 30% between two studies. Urinary flow parameters between the two studies were analysed by paired t-test according to voided volume, main urodynamic diagnosis and uroflowmetry pattern. RESULTS: Of 201 women, 144 were excluded and 57 were subjects of our analysis. According to voided volume, pressure-flow study parameters were significantly different from the equivalent free uroflowmetry parameters: the maximum flow rate and average flow rate were significantly lower and flow time was significantly longer in pressure-flow studies(p<0.01). According to main urodynamic diagnosis categories, the subgroups of patients with normal urodynamic study, bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor instability and others showed significantly lower maximum flow rate and average flow rate in pressure-flow studies(p<0.01). According to uroflowmetry pattern, obstructive patterns such as undulating and intermittent pattern were more common in pressure-flow studies. CONCLUSIONS: The 6Fr transurethral catheter used in pressure-flow studies significantly affects urinary flow parameters. In order to make a accurate diagnosis, we must not merely rely on the results of pressure-flow studies, but we must take into account patient's individual clinical situation and also, if available, the results of free uroflowmetry in addition to pressure flow study parameters.
Catheters* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; Urodynamics

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of medicinal plant extract on relieving hangovers in mice administered alcohol. The animals were divided into three groups. Each group was treated with fermented plant extract, non-fermented plant extract, or water 30 min after consuming ethanol (2 mL/kg). A locomotor activity test showed that all groups had decreased motor activity until 40 min after plant extract administration. The mice treated with water had lower motor activity until 100 min post-administration. However, the group treated with non-fermented plant extract showed increased motor activity 40 min post-administration, and the higher activity level was maintained until 120 min post-administration. The animals treated with fermented plant extract had a level of motor activity between those of the groups treated with water or non-fermented plant extract. Blood was collected from each mouse 120 min post-administration and aldehyde concentration was measured. The group treated with non-fermented plant extract had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) aldehyde concentration than the other groups. These results demonstrate that the non-fermented medicinal plant extract helped alleviate hangovers 40 min after administration by reducing aldehyde concentrations in the blood.
Animals ; Ethanol ; Mice ; Motor Activity ; Plants ; Plants, Medicinal* ; Water

Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dinitrochlorobenzene ; Erythema ; Gene Expression ; Hemorrhage ; Horses ; Inflammation ; Mice ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Skin

The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of horse oil in 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated BALB/c mice. After the application of DNCB, the mice showed atopic dermatitis symptoms, including severe erythema, hemorrhage, and erosion, whereas those symptoms were alleviated by treatment with horse oil. To explain the anti-dermatitis effect of horse oil, the gene expression levels in the healing process in dorsal skin were observed using a cDNA microarray. The cDNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression levels of 30 genes related to the inflammation, including Ccr1, Ccr2, Ccl20, Anxa1, and Hc genes, were up-regulated (higher than 2.0-fold) in the DNCB group compared to the levels in the control group, whereas the levels were restored to the control level in the DNCB + horse oil-treated group. In contrast, the gene expression levels of 28 genes related to inflammation, including chemokine genes Ccl5, Ccl7, Ccl8, Cxcl10, and Cxcl13 genes, were down-regulated (lower than 0.5-fold) in the DNCB group compared to the levels in the control group, whereas the levels were restored to the control level in the DNCB + horse oil-treated group. Overall, the results show that horse oil restores the expression levels of genes related to inflammation that were perturbed by DNCB treatment.

The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of horse oil in 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated BALB/c mice. After the application of DNCB, the mice showed atopic dermatitis symptoms, including severe erythema, hemorrhage, and erosion, whereas those symptoms were alleviated by treatment with horse oil. To explain the anti-dermatitis effect of horse oil, the gene expression levels in the healing process in dorsal skin were observed using a cDNA microarray. The cDNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression levels of 30 genes related to the inflammation, including Ccr1, Ccr2, Ccl20, Anxa1, and Hc genes, were up-regulated (higher than 2.0-fold) in the DNCB group compared to the levels in the control group, whereas the levels were restored to the control level in the DNCB + horse oil-treated group. In contrast, the gene expression levels of 28 genes related to inflammation, including chemokine genes Ccl5, Ccl7, Ccl8, Cxcl10, and Cxcl13 genes, were down-regulated (lower than 0.5-fold) in the DNCB group compared to the levels in the control group, whereas the levels were restored to the control level in the DNCB + horse oil-treated group. Overall, the results show that horse oil restores the expression levels of genes related to inflammation that were perturbed by DNCB treatment.

Systemic autoimmune diseases arise from loss of self-tolerance and immune homeostasis between effector and regulator functions. There are many therapeutic modalities for autoimmune diseases ranging from conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and immunosuppressants exerting nonspecific immune suppression to targeted agents including biologic agents and small molecule inhibitors aiming at specific cytokines and intracellular signal pathways. However, such current therapeutic strategies can rarely induce recovery of immune tolerance in autoimmune disease patients. To overcome limitations of conventional treatment modalities, novel approaches using specific cell populations with immune-regulatory properties have been attempted to attenuate autoimmunity. Recently progressed biotechnologies enable sufficient in vitro expansion and proper manipulation of such ‘tolerogenic’ cell populations to be considered for clinical application. We introduce 3 representative cell types with immunosuppressive features, including mesenchymal stromal cells, Tregs, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Their cellular definitions, characteristics, mechanisms of immune regulation, and recent data about preclinical and clinical studies in systemic autoimmune diseases are reviewed here. Challenges and limitations of each cell therapy are also addressed.

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the clinical and laboratory differences between chronic sclerosing sialadenitis (CSS) and primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), highlighting CSS as a distinct pathological entity within the spectrum of salivary gland pathology. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study was conducted at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital between January 2000 and December 2022. Patients diagnosed with CSS via salivary gland biopsy were included, and those with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) or other confounding factors were excluded. Clinical and laboratory CSS profiles were compared with those of a control group of patients with typical pSS from the Korean Initiative of Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (KISS) prospective cohort study. Twenty-one with CSS and 501 patients with pSS from Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Patients with CSS were older at diagnosis, had a lower prevalence of ocular symptoms, and exhibited distinct immunological markers compared to those with pSS. Logistic regression analysis revealed that anti-Ro antibody positivity, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels, low serum complement 3 levels, and accompanying dry eye symptoms were factors distinguishing pSS from CSS. Conclusion Even after excluding IgG4-RD, CSS was significantly different from pSS in terms of clinical and laboratory findings.Recognition of these differences is crucial for the accurate diagnosis and management of CSS, underscoring its status as a distinct pathological entity among salivary gland pathologies.

Bacterial infection of the uterus in Hanwoo can kill embryos. Therefore, many antibiotics have been used to treat this infection in the uterus of repeat breeders. Incorrect use of antibiotics has led to resistance in bacteria. Natural compounds have used as substitutes for antibiotics because they are safe and have very mild side effects. This study was conducted to examine the antimicrobial effects of five extracts from medicinal plants including Humulus japonicas (Hj), Phelledendron amurense (Pa), Viola mandshurica (Vm), Carthamus tinctorius (Ct), and Chelidoni herba (Ch) on bacteria isolated from the uterus of Hanwoo using the paper disc diffusion method. Hj and Pa extracts had potent antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus lentus, Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli, and Bacillus pumilus. Pa had the greatest antimicrobial effect among the five medicinal plants and was effective against 19 types of bacteria from bovine uterus. Compared to Pa, Hj showed weaker antimicrobial effects on all the bacteria tested except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Vm, Ct, and Ch also showed weak antimicrobial effects on the tested bacteria. The results obtained suggest that Hj and Pa are natural compounds suitable for treating bacterial infection in repeat breeders and improving conception rates of Hanwoo.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacillus ; Bacteria* ; Bacterial Infections ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Diffusion ; Embryonic Structures ; Fertilization ; Humulus ; Plants, Medicinal ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus ; Uterus* ; Viola

Bacterial infection of the uterus in Hanwoo can kill embryos. Therefore, many antibiotics have been used to treat this infection in the uterus of repeat breeders. Incorrect use of antibiotics has led to resistance in bacteria. Natural compounds have used as substitutes for antibiotics because they are safe and have very mild side effects. This study was conducted to examine the antimicrobial effects of five extracts from medicinal plants including Humulus japonicas (Hj), Phelledendron amurense (Pa), Viola mandshurica (Vm), Carthamus tinctorius (Ct), and Chelidoni herba (Ch) on bacteria isolated from the uterus of Hanwoo using the paper disc diffusion method. Hj and Pa extracts had potent antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus lentus, Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli, and Bacillus pumilus. Pa had the greatest antimicrobial effect among the five medicinal plants and was effective against 19 types of bacteria from bovine uterus. Compared to Pa, Hj showed weaker antimicrobial effects on all the bacteria tested except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Vm, Ct, and Ch also showed weak antimicrobial effects on the tested bacteria. The results obtained suggest that Hj and Pa are natural compounds suitable for treating bacterial infection in repeat breeders and improving conception rates of Hanwoo.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacillus ; Bacteria* ; Bacterial Infections ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Diffusion ; Embryonic Structures ; Fertilization ; Humulus ; Plants, Medicinal ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus ; Uterus* ; Viola

This study was conducted to evaluate the hangover relieving effect of Sanghwang mushroom mycelium extract (SME). The extract showed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging effect in a concentration-dependent manner and high antioxidant capacity (56.67 ± 1.77%) when administered at 120 µg/mL. In addition, SME significantly increased (p < 0.005) the aldehyde dehydronase (ALDH) activity (126.03 ± 9.11%) when applied at 8 or 16 µL/mL. A locomotor activity test showed that the alcohol-water treated group showed significantly decreased motor activity at 90 min post-administration. However, the alcohol-SME treated group showed a 20-fold higher motor activity than that observed in the alcohol-water treated group at 90 min post-administration. Blood was harvested from each mouse at 90 min post-administration, and both alcohol and aldehyde concentrations were measured. The alcohol-SME treated group showed significantly lower (p < 0.5) alcohol (120.13 ± 12.83 µg/mL) and aldehyde (7.26 ± 1.22 µg/mL) concentrations than the values observed in the alcohol-water treated group. These results suggest that the hangover relieving effect of SME results from increased ALDH activity, which reduces the aldehyde concentration in the blood.