Short period of ischemia and reperfusion protect heart against subsequent prolonged ischemia-reperfusion injury. This phenomenon was first described by Murry et al in 1986, who demonstrated that four 5-minute coronary artery occlusions followed by equal period of reflow at each time before a subsequent prolonged occlusion resulted in a reduction of infarct size in dog. Although the precise mechanism of preconditioning remains unknown, this phenome-non is present among different species of mammals, including dogs, rats, pigs, rabbits, and human. The objects of present study was to investigate effect of ischemic preconditioning on cell viability, structural changes and apoptosis during 60 min hypoxia and 60 min reoxygenation of the cell. In present study we investigated through cell culture system using myocyte of three days old neonatal rat cultured for three days. During hypoxia and reoxygenation, differences between preconditioned and nonpreconditioned of beating counts, morphological and structural changes are investigated through inverted phase contrast microscope and transmis-sion electron microscope. To detection of apoptotic cell, TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling) stain was accomplished, and through which we invesigate the effects of preconditioning on apoptosis. Viabiliy of each cell and it's mitochondria were measured quantitatively by MTT assay. After 60 min of hypoxia and 60 min of reoxygenation, beating rate decreased remarkably. But at the time of 60 min of reoxygenation, there was marked increase in beating count in pre-conditioned cell. Swollen mitochondria with amorphous granules in inner membrane, destroyed mitochondrial cristae, indented nuclear envelope, chromatin condensation, contracture of myofibril, fragmentation of myofilaments, cytoplasmic shrinkage were observed in both preconditioned cell and nonpreconditioned cell. But it is much less in pre-conditioned cell than in nonpreconditioned cell. MTT activity decreased in both experimental groups in compared with normal group, but in preconditioned group, MTT activity increased markedly in compared with nonpreconditioned group. And apoptosis is decreased by precontitioning in TUNEL staining. These results suggest that cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning is mediated by attenuating structural destroy, increasing cell viability, decreasing apoptosis.
Animals ; Anoxia ; Apoptosis ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Survival ; Chromatin ; Contracture ; Coronary Vessels ; Cytoplasm ; Dogs ; Heart ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Preconditioning* ; Mammals ; Membranes ; Mitochondria ; Muscle Cells ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; Myofibrils ; Nuclear Envelope ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury ; Swine

Bee stings can cause severe adverse reactions. There have been no cases of acute lung injury induced by bee sting acupuncture. We report a case of a 52-year-old male who required high flow oxygen therapy because of acute lung injury by bee sting acupuncture. The patient had been treated with live bee sting acupuncture by himself for knee pain. After self-injections of live bee sting, he immediately presented with generalized urticaria that remitted within 3 hours after taking an oral antihistamine. Ten days later, he visited our emergency department due to dyspnea and dizziness. He was diagnosed with acute lung injury by bee sting acupuncture based upon a history of symptom onset after exposure to the allergen and clinical test results. This case emphasizes that practitioners should consider potential risks of delayed-onset adverse reactions induced by bee sting acupuncture.
Acupuncture* ; Acute Lung Injury* ; Bee Venoms ; Bees* ; Bites and Stings* ; Dizziness ; Dyspnea ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; Urticaria

BACKGROUND: In patients with mitral stenosis, the degree of pulmonary hypertension is expected to be related to the severity of mitral valve obstruction. However, some patients with severe mitral stenosis do not develop reactive pulmonary hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 34 patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis undergoing percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty by clinical, echocardiographic, and invasive hemodynamic(cardiac cathrterization) data. Prevalvuloplasty data were available in 34 subjects[mean age 38+/-9 year ; women 74% ; NYHA class 1 (6 patients), class 2 (17 patients), class 3 (7 patients), class 4 (4 patients) ; in electrocardiography, NSR(23 patients), Atrial fibrillation(11 patients)]. RESULTS: 1) The pulmonary vascular bed gradient was significantly correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance(r=0.91), mean pulmonary artery pressure(r=0.82), transmitral mean pressure gradient(r=0.64) and mitral valve area(r=-0.48). The pulmonary vascular resistance was significantly correlated with mena pulmonary artery pressure(r=0.77), transmiral mean pressure gradient(r=0.61) and mitral valve area(r=-0.54), NYHA functional classification(r=0.36). However, the pulmonary vascular bed gradient and pulmonary vascular resistance was not significantly correlated with age, sex, cardiac output, the severity of mitral regurgitation and mean left atrial pressure. 2) The mean pulmonary artery pressure was significantly correlated with mean left atrial pressure(r=0.80), transmitral mean pressure gradient(r=0.72) and mitral valve area(r=-0.47). 3) When patients were divided into those with a pulmonary vascular bed gradient > 12mmHg and Atrial Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Vascular Resistance

Angiosarcoma of spine is a rare neoplasm derived from vascular endothelium. Synonymous term include hemangiosarcoma and malignant hemangioendothelioma. The authors present the clinical, radiological and pathological features of a patient with angiosarcoma located in the thoracic spine. The treatment of this case is discussed.
Endothelium, Vascular ; Hemangioendothelioma ; Hemangiosarcoma* ; Humans ; Spine

Several predetermined concentrations of beta-amyloid peptide, (betaA) were administered to the rat cardiac myocyte cultures for three days to determine the effects of betaA. Stainings with congo red and crystal violet were used to evaluate the deposition of betaA in the cardiac myocytes and MTT assay was used to elucidate the cytotoxic effects of betaA by anlaysis of cell viability. Beating rates and morphological changes were investigated with inverted microscope and TEM was used to study the fine structures. Administration of 0.5 microgram/ml of betaA to cardiac myocytes induced the reduction of beating rate, however, it did neither affect the viability nor fine structures. No significant differences in cell viability or fine structures were noted in the experimental groups which were exposed to 5 microgram/ml or higher concentration of betaA. Deposition of betaA was confirmed in the cytoplasm of betaA treated cardiac myocytes with congo red and crystal violet amyloid stains. The viability of cardiac myocytes exposed to betaA was found to be reduced significantly (19%) compared to control cultures with the MTT assay. Cardiac myocytes treated with betaA presented a reduced cytoplasmic area that appeared very condensed under inverted microscope. Mitochondrial abnormalities in betaA treated cardiac myocytes included their significant enlargement, vacuolization, disorganization or paucity of cristae, paracrystalline inclusion, and accumulation of amorphous material in mitochondrial space. Mitochondrial abnormalities were present sometimes in betaA treated cardiac myocytes without disorganization of myofibils or degeneration of other cell organelles. To understand the mechanism involved in amyloid deposit and its role in pathogenesis of the diseases such as Alzheimer and inclusion body myositis (IBM), a need for in vitro model is imperative. This model of betaA treated cultured cardiac myocytes represent a amyloidosis model, and it offers several advantages for future studies of betaA to help elucidate the pathogenesis of amyloid diseases. For example, cardiac myocytes can be easily accessible, and since cardiac myocytes can be cultured for quite a long time, it is possible to study morphological and physiological changes consequent to amyloid deposits.
Amyloid ; Amyloidosis ; Animals ; Cell Survival ; Coloring Agents ; Congo Red ; Cytoplasm ; Gentian Violet ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; Myositis, Inclusion Body ; Organelles ; Plaque, Amyloid ; Rats

In this research, the author investigated antitumor effects of green tea catechin on cancer cell lines in various concentrations and durations. Additionally, antitumor mechanism of catechin associated with apoptosis and necrosis, especially their onset and duration were invesigated. Cancer cell lines, L1210 (lymphocytic leukemia), L929 (fibrosarcoma), HepG2 (hepatoblastoma) were used. In each group, intensity of morphological changes and cell damage was observed under inverted, light, confocal and electron microscopes, and MTT and flowcytometric analysis, gel electrophoresis were used to elucidate the effects of catechin after exposure to 1, 10, 100 and 500 microgram/ml catechin until 72 hours. In all cancer cell lines, catechin induced cellular injury and inhibition of proliferation in concentration- and duration-dependent manner. The effects of catechin were the strongestt in L1210 cells and L929 and HepG2 cells in order. Dual phenomena, of apoptosis and necrosis, were shown after catechin treatment. In necrotic cells, cellular swelling, cell organelles destruction, nuclear disintegration and random DNA fragmentation were observed. In apoptotic cells, apoptotic bodies, nuclear and cytoplasmic condensations, periodic DNA fragmentation were seen. In L1210 cells, necrotic and apoptotic cells were co-existed earlier, after exposure to catechin 100 microgram/ml and then apoptosis predom-inated later. In the same concentration, catechin induced apoptosis of L929 cells. but after exposure to 500 microgram/ml catechin, They were involved with apoptosis and necrosis simultaneously. On the other hand, HepG2 cells were damaged less than other cell lines but were involved with necrosis and inhibition of G2/M phase after treatment with 500 microgram/ml catechin. These results suggested that anti-tumor mechanism of catechin, associated with apoptosis, necrosis and cell cycle arrest, were quite different according to cancer type, concentration and duration of catechin treatment. Therefore, much more research would be essential for clinical application of catechin and this study would be the basic source for further study of green tea.
Apoptosis ; Catechin* ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line* ; Cytoplasm ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Hand ; Hep G2 Cells ; Necrosis ; Organelles ; Tea*

Sex disparity is prevalent in organ transplantations worldwide. This study aimed to understand sex disparities in dialysis and kidney transplantation in Korea over the last 20 years. Methods: Data for incident dialysis, waiting list registration, and donors and recipients were retrospectively collected between January 2000 and December 2020 from the Korean Society of Nephrology end-stage renal disease registry and the database of the Korean Network for Organ Sharing. Data regarding the proportion of females for dialysis, waiting list, and kidney transplantation donors or recipients were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Results: The average proportion of females on dialysis over the past 20 years was 40.5%. The proportion of females on dialysis was 42.8% in 2000, and decreased to 38.2% in 2020, showing a decreasing trend. The average proportion of women on the waiting list was 38.4%, which was lower than that for dialysis. The average proportion of female recipients in living donor kidney transplantation and female living donors were 40.1% and 53.2%, respectively. The overall proportion of female donors in living donor kidney transplantation showed an increasing trend. However, there was no change in the proportion of female recipients in living donor kidney transplantation. Conclusion: Sex disparities in organ transplantation exist, including an increasing trend of female donors in living donor kidney transplantation. Further studies are needed to identify the biological and socioeconomic factors involved to resolve these disparities.

OBJECTIVES: There are many interesting reports suggesting that magnesium(Mg) deficiency is deleterious in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). It is paradoxical that the most important cause of Mg deficiency in these persons is maybe use of therapeutics including diuretics. Authors investigated the trend of serum and 24 hour urine Mg with other relating electrolytes in Mg homeostasis prospectively, in the management of CHF. And we assessd the effects of medications and many variables in .CHF on serum Mg, and the usefulness of serum Mg representing the body content. METHODS: Fifty three patients who were diagnosed as CHF by clinical finding and echocardiogaphy were prescribed conventional doses of diuretics as furosemide 40mg and spironolactone 50mg daily, with or without angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitor and digitalis. And then, serial serum and 24 hour urine Mg, sodium, potassium and calcium were obtained at admission, 2nd day, 5th day, and discharge. RESULTS: The patients group with chronic CHF, which was defined as long-term use of diuretics over 6 months, showed higher prevalence of low level of serum Mg concentration than the group with acute one(11 of 28, 39% vs. 2 of 25. 8%, P< 0.01). Of those two groups, the latter showed upward trend of serum Mg from admission to discharge, but the former showed no change. In 24 hour urine Mg excretion, the amount of the patients with CHF was larger than that of control group. In the chronic CHF group, the effect of digitalis on decreasing serum Mg was evident. Serum Mg of acute CHF group correlated with serum BUN(r=0.5609). Whereas, that of chronic group with ejection fraction(r=-0.4742) and plasma renin activity(r=-0.3791), with serum potassium(r=0.4673) and creatinine(0.5846). Serum Mg may be useful indicator of Mg homeostasis, especially in chronic CHF patients. CONCLUSION: Because patients with chronic CHF were prone to deficiency of Mg in the management, maintaining the adequate serum Mg through long- term replacement seems very important in decreasing the morbidity and mortality of these persons.
Angiotensins ; Calcium ; Digitalis ; Diuretics ; Electrolytes ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Furosemide ; Heart Failure* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Magnesium Deficiency ; Magnesium* ; Mortality ; Plasma ; Potassium ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Renin ; Sodium ; Spironolactone

OBJECTIVES: Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have problems in social interactions. We compared the effect of 10-session social skill training (SST) among two groups, children with pure ADHD, and those with ADHD with comorbidity. METHODS: Consecutive 10-session SST was conducted for 34 children from 2006 to 2012. There were 22 children with pure ADHD (male 20, female 2), and 12 children suffering from ADHD with comorbidity (male 11, female 1). All children took medication as prescribed by their doctors before the start of SST. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Korean Personality Inventory for Children (K-PIC), the Conner's Rating Scale, the ADHD Rating Scale, and the Home Situation Questionnaire were completed by mothers before and after the SST. All children completed the Child Depression Inventory, the Stat-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, the Self-Concept Scale and the ADHD Diagnostic System before and after the SST. RESULTS: Only children with pure ADHD showed improvement in anxiety and self-concept in scales rated by children. In the CBCL rated by parents, the pure ADHD group and the ADHD with comorbidity showed improvement in both externalizing and internalizing subscales. In the K-PIC rated by parents, the pure ADHD group showed improvement in most outcomes and ADHD with comorbidity showed positive change in verbal development. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SST has significant positive effects on both the pure ADHD and ADHD with comorbidity group. Further research is needed in order to target diverse comorbidity groups with ADHD to improve the effectiveness of the SST.
Anxiety ; Checklist ; Child Behavior ; Child* ; Comorbidity* ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Mothers ; Only Child ; Parents ; Personality Inventory ; Weights and Measures

A retrospective study of 223 patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) was performed to clarify the prognostic factors and the renal survival rates of the disease. One hundred twenty-two patients were followed-up for more than 6 months after their renal biopsy (mean follow-up duration: 43.0 months), and 20 of them (16.4%) had progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Using univariate analysis, 8 risk factors (2 clinical and 6 histopathological findings) for developing ESRD were identified: renal insufficiency at initial presentation (serum creatinine > or = 1.5 mg/dl); heavy proteinuria(> or = 3.5 gm/day); moderate to severe histopathologic findings such as class IV/V lesions by W.H.O. classification, mesangial hypercellularity, glomerular sclerosis, interstitial infiltration, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy. In multivariate regression analysis, class IV/V lesions and renal insufficiency at initial presentation were the independent prognostic factors of IgAN. The renal survival rates were 100% at 1 year, 97.0% at 3 years, and 78.9% at 5 years. In conclusion, it seems that about 20% of IgAN patients have a risk to progress to ESRD within 5 years, and a careful follow-up is recommended especially in patients who have either renal insufficiency at the time of presentation or severe renal pathology (class IV/V lesions).
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/*complications/pathology ; Human ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/*epidemiology/*etiology/pathology ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors