A 2-year-old spayed female Border Collie presented with visual deficits and behavioral changes. Neurological examination revealed bilateral menace response deficit with a normal pupil light reflex. Cerebral cortical thinning, cerebral sulci and cerebellar fissure widening, ventriculomegaly, and cerebral atrophy were observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histopathology revealed fluorescent lipopigment accumulation in the cerebrum, and the dog was diagnosed with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. This is the first case report describing the changes in clinical signs, MRI findings, and histopathologic changes in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in Korea.

Background: Neuroinflammation plays an important role in cognitive decline and memory impairment in neurodegenerative disorders. Previously, we demonstrated that Humulus japonicus (HJ) has anti-inflammatory effects in rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The present study aimed to examine the protective potential of HJ extracts against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cognitive impairment and scopolamine-induced amnesia in mouse models. Cognitive improvement of mice was investigated by novel object recognition test. For analyzing effects on neuroinflammation, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) assays were performed. Results: We found that the oral administration of HJ significantly improved cognitive dysfunction induced by LPS in a novel object recognition test. The LPS-induced activation of microglia was notably decreased by HJ treatment in the cortex and hippocampus. HJ administration with LPS also significantly increased the mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-10 and decreased the mRNA expression of IL-12 in the parietal cortex of mice. The increased expression of LPS-induced complement C1q B chain (C1bq) and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2) genes was significantly suppressed by HJ treatment. In addition, HJ administration significantly improved novel object recognition in a scopolamine-induced amnesia mouse model. Conclusions These findings revealed that HJ has a beneficial effect on cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation induced by systemic inflammation and on amnesia induced by scopolamine in mice.

Adiposity ; drug effects ; Animals ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; toxicity ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; drug effects ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; Metabolic Diseases ; chemically induced ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

During civil engineering construction near Sejong-ro, Jongro-ku, Seoul, cultural sites were found that are thought to have been built in the 15th century. This area was home to many different people as well as the leaders of the Yi dynasty. To gain further insight into the life styles of the inhabitants of the old capital, soil samples were collected from various areas such as toilets, water foundations, and drainage ways. Parasite eggs were examined by microscopy after 5 g soil samples were rehydrated in 0.5% trisodium phosphate solution. A total of 662 parasite eggs from 7 species were found. Species with the highest number of eggs found were Ascaris lumbricoides (n=483), followed by Trichuris trichiura (138), Trichuris vulpis (21), Fasciola hepatica (8), Clonorchis sinensis (6), Paragonimus westermani (4), and Metagonimus yokogawai (2). These findings indirectly indicate the food habits of the people in Yi dynasty.
Ascaris lumbricoides ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Drainage ; Eggs* ; Fasciola hepatica ; Food Habits ; Foundations ; Heterophyidae ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Microscopy ; Ovum* ; Paragonimus westermani ; Parasites* ; Seoul* ; Soil ; Trichuris ; Water

Anti-atherosclerosis effects of perilla oil were investigated, in comparison with lovastatin, in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet (HCD). Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rabbits by feeding the HCD containing 0.5% cholesterol and 1% corn oil, and perilla oil (0.1 or 0.3%) was added to the diet containing 0.5% cholesterol for 10 weeks. HCD greatly increased blood total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins, and caused thick atheromatous plaques, covering 74% of the aortic wall. Hyper-cholesterolemia also induced lipid accumulation in the liver and kidneys, leading to lipid peroxidation. Perilla oil not only attenuated hypercholesterolemia and atheroma formation, but also reduced fat accumulation and lipid peroxidation in hepatic and renal tissues. The results indicate that perilla oil prevents atherosclerosis and fatty liver by controlling lipid metabolism, and that it could be the first choice oil to improve diet-induced metabolic syndrome.
Atherosclerosis ; Cholesterol ; Corn Oil ; Diet* ; Fatty Liver ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Kidney ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Liver ; Lovastatin ; Perilla* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Rabbits*

The purpose of this study is to provide a fundamental basis for defining measures to prevent suicide by specifically examining the relationship between suicide and alcohol consumption, which is thought to be a key factor in suicide. This study reviewed 426 suicide autopsies diagnosed by the department of forensic medicine, National Forensic Service (2007-2009) and analyzed the preliminary data on variables such as gender, age, and cause of death, with particular focus on the relationship between these variables and blood alcohol concentration. The relationship between each variable and alcohol consumption was as follows. First, alcohol was present in 48.4% of suicides. Second, blood alcohol concentration wrere twice as high in women as in men. Third, the relationship between suicide and alcohol consumption was greater in people in their 30s and 40s. The correlation between suicide and alcohol intake was evident this age group. These results are more specific and practical than the results of previous studies on the correlation between suicide and alcohol intake. The results of this study will help define measures to facilitate suicide prevention as an important reference and may eventually help lower the suicide rate in Korea.
Alcohol Drinking ; Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Drinking ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Suicide

OBJECTIVES: In most DEHP exposure assessment studies, single spot urine sample was used. It could not compare the exposure level among studies. Therefore, we are going to represent the necessity of selection of proper sampling time of spot urine for assessing the environmental DEHP exposure, and the association urinary DEHP metabolites with steroid hormones. METHODS: We collected urine and plasma from 25 men. The urine sampling times were at the end of the shift (post-shift) and the next morning before the beginning of the shift (pre-shift). Three metabolites of DEHP {mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate [MEHP], mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate [MEHHP], and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate [MEOHP]} in urine were analyzed by HPLC/MS/MS. Plasma luteinzing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone, and 17beta-estradiol were measured at pre-shift using a ELISA kit. A log-transformed creatinine-adjusted urinary MEHP, MEHHP, and MEOHP concentration were compared between the post- and pre-shift. The Pearson's correlation was calculated to assess the relationships between log-transformed urinary MEHP concentrations in pre-shift urine and hormone levels. RESULTS: The three urinary metabolite concentrations at post-shift were significantly higher than the concentrations in the pre-shift (p<0.0001). The plasma hormones were not significantly correlated with log-transformed creatinine - adjusted DEHP metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: To assess the environmental DEHP exposure, it is necessary to select the urine sampling time according to the study object. There were no correlation between the concentration of urinary DEHP metabolites and serum hormone levels.
Adult ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate/analogs & derivatives/pharmacokinetics/*urine ; Estradiol/blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood ; Humans ; *Laboratories, Dental ; Luteinizing Hormone/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure/*analysis ; Phthalic Acids/urine ; Specimen Handling/*methods ; Testosterone/blood ; Time Factors

PURPOSE: This study investigated the clinical course and prognostic factor of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) with hemodynamically significant congenital heart defects (CHDs). METHODS: Medical records of 1,098 VLBWI with birth weight <1,500 g who had been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from October 1994 to December 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The data for these patients with hemodynamically significant CHD (n=33) were compared with those without CHD (n=1,065). RESULTS: The incidence of CHD was 3.0% (33 patients) 7 patients (21%) had CHD combined with the congenital abnormalities or chromosomal disorders. The most common CHD was a ventricular septal defect. The incidence of intrauterine growth retardation was higher in patients with CHD than in patients without CHD (34% vs. 20%), but there were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, severe intraventricular hemorrhage (> or =Gr III), and periventricular leukomalacia. Cardiac surgery was performed on 13 patients (39%). Nine patients received staged operations, and 10 patients received early intervention. The overall mortality in patients who had CHD was higher than in the patients who did not have CHD (27% vs. 16%). In patients with CHD, congenital abnormalities or chromosomal disorders were more important factors for increased mortality (86% vs. 11%) than the degree of complexity of CHD (19% vs. 42%). CONCLUSION: The most important prognostic factors of VLBWI with CHD are the associated congenital abnormalities or chromosomal disorders.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Chromosome Disorders ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; Medical Records ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the clinical outcomes of early vancomycin administration before identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in patients with nosocomial pneumonia on a ventilator. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with nosocomial pneumonia in a 20-bed medical ICU during a period of 2 years and 2 months. This study included 52 inpatients, who were admitted for more than 72 hr and had a new or progressive lung infiltrate plus at least two of the following three criteria for pneumonia: abnormal body temperature (>38oC or <35oC), abnormal leukocyte count (>10,000/mm3 or <3,000/mm3), and purulent bronchial secretions. All of the MRSA were identified in tracheal aspirates during mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients who received vancomycin prior to identification of MRSA exhibited a 28-day mortality rate of 60%, while 29 patients who received vancomycin after identification of MRSA showed a 28-day mortality rate of 40% (p=0.17). There was no statistically significant difference in severity index and routine laboratory findings between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Early vancomycin administration before identification of MRSA does not appear to affect the mortality rate for patients with nosocomial pneumonia.
Body Temperature ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Leukocyte Count ; Lung ; Methicillin Resistance* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* ; Mortality ; Pneumonia* ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Vancomycin* ; Ventilators, Mechanical

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perinatal outcome of vaginal delivery in twin pregnancy according to the presentation of the fetus. METHODS: A total of 274 cases suitable to this objective were selected from the 301 cases of twin pregnancy delivered between March 2000 and February 2005. They were categorized into 3 groups according to the presentation of the fetus; vertex/vertex as the group A (133 cases), vertex/nonvertex as the group B (80 cases), nonvertex in the first twin as the group C (61 cases). And then each group also was divided into 2 subgroups according to the mode of delivery; vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery. The difference between the subgroups in each group as to perinatal outcome was retrospectively compared and analyzed for statistical significance. RESULTS: The incidence of vaginal delivery in group A (46/133, 34.6%) was significantly higher than in group B (5/80, 6.3%) and C (5/61, 8.2%). A total of 218 (79.6%) cases were underwent the cesarean delivery and the most common indication of cesarean delivery was elective twin cesarean delivery in all 3 groups (65.4%, 93.8%, 91.8% respectively). The incidence of neonatal admission to the neonatal intensive care unit was, however, higher in vaginal delivery (40.2%) than in cesarean delivery (32.8%) in group A. The most common cause for neonatal intensive care unit admission was low birth weight for simple observation, and average admission dates of vaginal delivery was 17.0 days and cesarean delivery was 16.8 days. CONCLUSION: Vaginal delivery of twins depends on the presentation of the fetus, but no significant difference in perinatal outcome of group A were observed between the mode of delivery. Therefore attempt to decrease the incidence of elective twin cesarean delivery in group A is demanded.
Fetus ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Retrospective Studies