Background: The quality-of-life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome is low; incorrect diagnosis/treatment causes economic burden and inappropriate consumption of medical resources. This survey-based study aimed to analyze the current status of irritable bowel syndrome treatment to examine differences in doctors’ perceptions of the disease, and treatment patterns. Methods: From October 2019 to February 2020, the irritable bowel syndrome and Intestinal Function Research Study Group of the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility conducted a survey on doctors working in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare institutions. The questionnaire included 37 items and was completed anonymously using the NAVER platform (a web-based platform), e-mails, and written forms. Results: A total of 272 doctors responded; respondents reported using the Rome IV diagnostic criteria (amended in 2016) for diagnosing and treating irritable bowel syndrome.Several differences were noted between the primary, secondary, and tertiary physicians’ groups. The rate of colonoscopy was high in tertiary healthcare institutions. During a colonoscopy, the necessity of random biopsy was higher among physicians who worked at tertiary institutions. ‘The patient did not adhere to the diet’ as a reason for ineffectiveness using low-fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharides, and polyols diet treatment was higher among physicians in primary/secondary institutions, and ‘There are individual differences in terms of effectiveness’ was higher among physicians in tertiary institutions. In irritable bowel syndrome constipation predominant subtype, the use of serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist (ramosetron) and probiotics was higher in primary/secondary institutions, while serotonin type 4 receptor agonist was used more in tertiary institutions. In irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea predominant subtype, the use of antispasmodics was higher in primary/secondary institutions, while the use of serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist (ramosetron) was higher in tertiary institutions. Conclusion Notable differences were observed between physicians in primary/secondary and tertiary institiutions regarding the rate of colonoscopy, necessity of random biopsy, the reason for the ineffectiveness of low-fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharides, and polyols diet, and use of drug therapy in irritable bowel syndrome. In South Korea, irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed and treated according to the Rome IV diagnostic criteria, revised in 2016.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors represent a novel class of anticancer agents, which can be used to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in several types of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of MHY4381, a newly synthesized HDAC inhibitor, against human prostate cancer cell lines and compared its efficacy with that of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a well-known HDAC inhibitor. We assessed cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and other biological effects in the prostate cancer cells. We also evaluated a possible mechanism of MHY4381 on the apoptotic cell death pathway. The IC50 value of MHY4381 was lower in DU145 cells (IC50=0.31 μM) than in LNCaP (IC50=0.85 μM) and PC-3 cells (IC50=5.23 μM). In addition, the IC50 values of MHY4381 measured in this assay were significantly lower than those of SAHA against prostate cancer cell lines. MHY4381 increased the levels of acetylated histones H3 and H4 and reduced the expression of HDAC proteins in the prostate cancer cell lines. MHY4381 increased G2/M phase arrest in DU145 cells, and G1 arrest in LNCaP cells. It also activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which induced apoptosis in the DU145 and LNCaP cells by increasing the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and releasing cytochrome c into the cytoplasm. Our results indicated that MHY4381 preferentially results in antitumor effects in DU145 and LNCaP cells via mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and ROS-facilitated cell death pathway, and therefore can be used as a promising prostate cancer therapeutic.

Background: β-blockers (BBs) are considered primary therapy in stable heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) without atrial fibrillation (AF); evidence-based benefits of BB on outcome have been documented. However, BBs have not been shown to improve mortality or reduce hospital admissions in HF patients with AF. This study assessed the relationship between BBs at discharge and relevant clinical outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF) patients with AF. Methods: From the Korean Acute Heart Failure Registry, 936 HFrEF and 639 HF patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and AF were selected. Propensity score (PS) matching accounted for BB selection bias when assessing associations. Results: BB-untreated patients in the overall cohort of HFrEF and HFpEF had greater deteriorated clinical and laboratory characteristics. In the 670 PS-matched cohort of HFrEF patients, incidences of all clinical events at 60 days and 1 year were not different according to use of BBs. In the 470 PS-matched cohort of HFpEF, rehospitalization and composite outcome at 6 months and 1 year more frequently occurred in non-users of BBs. After adjusting for covariates in the multivariable Cox model of matched cohorts, BB was not associated with clinical outcomes at 60 days and 1 year in HFrEF with AF patients. In HFpEF patients with AF, BB use was associated with reduced 6-month (hazard ratio [HR], 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20–0.74) and 1-year rehospitalization (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34–0.82). Conclusion In the HFrEF with AF PS-matched cohort, the use of BBs at discharge was not associated with clinical outcome. However, in HFpEF with AF, the use of BB was associated with reduced rehospitalization during the 6-month and 1-year follow up.

The life history of man is summarized as a birth-aging-disease-death. Man eventually ages and dies. How long can humans live? What is aging? Why do we age? Is aging inevitable? Can we rejuvenate? Recent researches on biological aging suggest that humans might overcome aging and rejuvenate. In this paper, we review the biologic characteristics of aging and the latest results of biological aging research, implicating that aging can be controlled, further treated, and that humans can ultimately be rejuvenated.
Aging* ; Cell Aging ; Humans ; Population Characteristics ; Rejuvenation

The life history of man is summarized as a birth-aging-disease-death. Man eventually ages and dies. How long can humans live? What is aging? Why do we age? Is aging inevitable? Can we rejuvenate? Recent researches on biological aging suggest that humans might overcome aging and rejuvenate. In this paper, we review the biologic characteristics of aging and the latest results of biological aging research, implicating that aging can be controlled, further treated, and that humans can ultimately be rejuvenated.
Aging ; Cell Aging ; Humans ; Population Characteristics ; Rejuvenation

The followings are the results for external quality assessment (EQA) in immunoserology for 2009: Evaluation of EQA was done in 2 trials in April and November, about 99% of laboratories participating average 7.4 items. The results were collected via internet and about 98% of laboratories have sent their results via internet. Control materials used in EQA were pooled sera including commercial controls, MASR Immunology Control from Medical Analysis Systems (Camarillo, CA, USA), which were delivered refrigerated for stability of control materials, being received within 48 hours after sending. Latex agglutination tests for rheumatoid factor (RF) showed frequently false positive or false negative results especially in commercial controls, possibly due to matrix effect. False negative and positive results were frequently found in the laboratories using immunochromatography assay (ICA) for anti-HCV and anti-HIV. More careful quality control should be required for ICA tests. New tests measuring non-treponemal and trponemal antibody such as turbidoimmunoassay (TIA) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) were introduced. Standardization of instruments and reagents including calibrators for quantitative results should be required for the harmonization of results.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Immunoassay ; Immunochromatography ; Indicators and Reagents ; Internet ; Korea ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Luminescence ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Quality Control ; Rheumatoid Factor

The followings are the results for external quality assessment (EQA) in immunoserology for 2008:1.Evaluation of EQA was done in 2 trials in May and November, about 99% of laboratories participating average 7.7 items. The results were collected via internet and about 99% of laboratories have sent their results via internet. 2.Control materials used in the External Proficiecny Testing were pooled sera including Commercial controls, MAS(R) Immunology Control from Medical Analysis Systems (Camarillo, CA, USA), which were delivered refrigerated for stability of control materials, being received within 48 hours after sending. 3.Latex agglutination tests for rheumatoid factor (RF) showed frequently false positive or false negative results especially in Commercial controls, possibly due to matrix effect.4.False negative and positive results were frequently found in the laboratories using immunochromatography assay (ICA) for anti-HCV and anti-HIV. More careful quality control should be required for ICA tests. 5.New tests measuring non-treponemal and trponemal antibody such as turbidoimmunoassay (TIA) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) were introduced.6.Standardization of instruments and reagents including calibrators for quantitative results should be required for the harmonization of results.
Agglutination Tests ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Immunoassay ; Immunochromatography ; Indicators and Reagents ; Internet ; Korea ; Luminescence ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Quality Control ; Rheumatoid Factor

PURPOSE: Emergency medical doctors face a working environment full of various types of stresses and often must work the night shift. This research is focused on the influences between night shift work, sleep, and physical and psychiatric health. METHODS: The subjects of research in the Internet-based survey were 51 emergency medical doctors working in four university hospitals, regional emergency medical centers, and hospitals of emergency medicine located in Honam District, Gwangju, Korea. RESULTS: Of the 51 respondents, 41.2% worked two night shifts per week and 45.1% worked three night shifts per week. Comparison of specialists and resident doctors did not reveal statistical differences between the quality of sleep and the prevalence of cardiovascular and psychiatric symptoms. However, there was a significantly higher prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases among resident doctors. Comparisons based on hospital size revealed significantly higher prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in university hospitals. The number of weekly night shifts did not significantly influence outcomes. CONCLUSION: Resident doctors and emergency medical doctors working in university hospitals may be more susceptible to gastrointestinal diseases. While no significant differences were evident concerning the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, the known similar mechanisms between gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease indicates that continued exposure to stressful situations may prelude severe diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medicine ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Health Facility Size ; Hospitals, University ; Prevalence ; Specialization

X-linked agammaglobulinemia is the most common type of primary immunodeficiency disorder. Mutation ofthe cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase gene, Btk (Bruton's tyrosine kinase), is known to be the etiology of X-linked agammaglobulinemia. The patients with this disease manifest a B-cell deficiency and low levels of serum immunoglobulin; due to the deficient antibodies, they suffers from recurrent upper and lower respiratory infections. We report here a 24-year-old male with an initial clinical impression of recurrent pneumonia and bronchiectasis. The patient presented with marked pan-hypogammaglobulinemia and the absence of circulating B-lymphocytes on the immunologic study, and he carried a splicing mutation of intron 2 in the Btk gene (IVS2 -3C>G).
Agammaglobulinemia ; Antibodies ; B-Lymphocytes ; Bronchiectasis ; Cytoplasm ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked ; Humans ; Introns ; Male ; Pneumonia ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Tyrosine ; Young Adult

The followings are the results for external quality assessment (EQA) in immunoserology for 2007: 1. Evaluation of EQA was done in 2 trials in May and December, about 99% of laboratories participating average 7.8 items. The results were collected via internet for the first time and 96~98% of laboratories have sent their results via internet. 2. All the specimens for Immunoserology in EQA were delivered refrigerated, being received within 48 hours after sending. 3. Commercial controls, MASR Immunology Control from Medical Analysis Systems (Camarillo, CA, USA) were used to assure the quality of quantitative results of C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti- streptolysin O (ASO) tests, and the RF results of MASR Immunology Control were variable depending on the reagents used. 4. The laboratories using immunochromatography assay (ICA) were increased, however, many laboratories using ICA reported falsely negative for the positive specimens. The sensitivity of ICA test kits as well as various factors influencing the ICA results should be evaluated. 5. The HBsAg results of the ACCURUN 1R Multi-Marker Positive Control (Boston Biomedica Inc. USA) were falsely reported as negative in some laboratories using arbitrarily determined cutoff. 6. Standardization of methods including calibrators for quantitative results should be required for the harmonization of results.
Bacterial Proteins ; C-Reactive Protein ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Immunochromatography ; Indicators and Reagents ; Internet ; Korea ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Streptolysins